Northwest Region
Crawford County
Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake has a lot of water in it so be aware of docks and other boats. Remember you are responsible for the wake your boat creates.
Western Erie County
Walnut Creek Access Area
Anglers are starting to report limits being caught of Yellow Perch. They are out in 51’ to 53’ of water straight out of Walnut Creek. There also is a pack that sets up in around 38’ off of Trout Run. Anglers are reporting that they have been catching some big Yellow Perch this year. The Walleye are still hard to find. There are some boats going real close to shore in 15’ – 20’ of water trolling between Trout Run and Elk Creek. Anglers are reporting having luck in 60’ of water straight out and off of Powell Ave.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are continuing to report really good fishing this year. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and crappies are being caught in plentiful supply.
Shenango Reservoir
Fishing has been slow around the reservoir. Water levels are several feet above summer pool and have been there for most of June. Blue/Green Algae is being observed in the lake however with the rain it has dissipated some of it. Remember your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 9-1-1.
Shenango River
The water levels are up in the river so use extreme care when floating the Shenango River Trail. With all of the new rain, several new strainers will be present so use caution around them. There are still plenty of stocked trout in the outflow. This area is designated as a year round trout fishery so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish the area from the outflow to the Walnut Street Bridge regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting.
Other parts of the County
All water levels are up. Extra precaution should be taken when recreating around these swollen water bodies.
Venango County
Allegheny River
The USGS depth gage in Franklin reflects a current water level of +/- 07’-07”. Water temperature is hovering at 63 degrees Fahrenheit, a recent drop of 9 degrees Fahrenheit due to heavy rains and cooler temperatures.
Smallmouth Bass catch rates were reported early in the month with the highest success rates on stick baits and tubes.
French Creek
Fishing activity has been interrupted due to recent heavy rains. Earlier in the month, Smallmouth Bass catches were reported between Custaloga Town and Franklin. The USGS depth gage in Utica reflects a current water level of +/-05’-06”. Canoeists and kayakers are encouraged to use caution given the swiftness of the water and the potential for floating debris and newly formed strainers.
Oil Creek
The USGS depth gage in Rouseville reflects a current water level of +/- 4’-11”. Fishing activity has been interrupted due to recent heavy rains. As waters recede, the area between Oil City and Rynd Farm should improve for the bass enthusiast.
Trout anglers are reminded that the Artificial Lure section(s) [Oil Creek State Park & Drake Well], along Oil Creek, opened to harvest on June 15th. Fish must be at least 9 inches in length, and the daily creel limit is 3 (combined species). Please refer to www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/delayedartificial.html for rules and regulations, as well as accompanying waters, under this designation. Given current water levels, canoeists and kayakers have been observed. The area between Drake Well and Petroleum Center allows for a peaceful and scenic day trip. As always, scout ahead and do not enter dangerous or obstructed waters.
Kahle Lake
Largemouth Bass harvests are occurring with common sizes ranging from 13-17 inches. Also, Yellow Perch, crappie, and Bluegill catches have been reported.
Justus Lake (Two Mile Run Reservoir)
Anglers are beginning to target trout in the deeper water towards the dam; however, catches are still being reported in the shallow cove waters. Game fish, outside of trout, have been located at depths of 15’ and 30’. Bluegill catches on ants and jigs have been received.
Northeast Region
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
With all the rain and high water levels, fishing has been very slow across the region. Panfish and pickerel seem to be the fish that are being caught on a regular basis.
Boating has been slow as a result of all the rain as well. Boaters are reminded to make sure all of their safety equipment is onboard and in good condition. With the 4th of July holiday approaching there is always time to have fun and relax but drinking alcohol and driving boats is still a bad mix. Make sure to be safe!
Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Area waterways have been pretty vacant lately. Water levels in the Susquehanna River have been all over the place and clarity has been less than optimal as well. This didn’t stop several fishermen from picking up a couple of keeper smallmouth and walleye in the Falls to Appletree area though. Soft plastics and surface lures have been the hot ticket lately. Anglers participating in the rain-soaked tournament that launched out of Union Access sponsored by the Nanticoke Sportsmen picked up a few nice bass as well. Everywhere else fishing has slowed way down.
Boaters are reminded that alcohol and operating a boat do not mix. Patrols will increase along area waters as the summer heats up and our officers have one goal, to keep everyone safe on the water this summer season.
Wyoming County
With all of the recent rainfall, the Susquehanna River has been high and I’ve not seen many people around. Until the pattern of frequent heavy rain changes expect poor fishing conditions in the river. Area lakes are producing though. Lake Winola, Ford’s Lake (Lackawanna County) and Stevens Lake have all had descent fishing. At Stevens Lake, you’ll have to contend with the heavy weed growth that has characterized the lake over the past few years. Hopefully the weather pattern will change soon and normal fishing conditions will resume.
Northcentral Region
Clinton/West Lycoming Counties
Water flows are high on Pine Creek and the W. Branch Susquehanna River. Nightcrawlers would be a good choice for anglers trying to fish the high and murky waters.
Cameron County
It is prime time for catching bass in the Sinnamahoning Creek! Crabs are going to softshell right now, and bass are going crazy for them. Pick them off the bottom, clip the pinchers off of them, and get out there and catch some bass! Good Luck!
McKean County
After this past weekend, water levels are up; and it looks like more rain is in the forecast this week. There were lots of trees, limbs, and brush down over the weekend. If you are coming up here for the holiday weekend and are going to canoe, kayak, etc., please be mindful of the possibility of hazards on the water that might not have been there previously. Be diligent and wear your life jacket!
Another summer reminder for the Allegheny Reservoir – all canoes, kayaks, and boats under 16ft must have life jackets worn while underway on the lake. With the increased holiday traffic expected over the next week or so, it is important to wear your life jacket while out on any lake with unlimited horsepower vessels.
Tioga County
Rising water temperatures and fewer trout definitely slows down the bite; but they do not stop for the summer. Areas that normally hold trout in the spring, around the Hamilton Lake boat launch, are starting to fill in with grass and the shallows warm up considerably, sending the trout deeper in search of cool water. Catching them requires fishing closer to the bottom. In the evenings once it cools down, many of these fish will move back to the surface and feed on bugs, too. Dough baits fished off the bottom are a good choice. Fish a 3-4 foot leader off a slip sinker. Chartreuse, rainbow, salmon peach, and yellow are all popular choices. Live minnows will also work. Lure wise, try deep running baits or fishing smaller stick baits with some weight to keep them down to the right depth. Fishing from shore can be pretty tough for trout right now. This year we have great water levels. If you have a small boat, kayak, or canoe, it would definitely be a big help.
Elk County
With work started to repair a leak in the East Branch Dam, an exclusion zone has been placed in front of the Dam Breast prohibiting boats from getting to close to the construction site. Other than that, water is at summer pool and both boat launches are open. Reminder that there is mandatory wearing of life jackets with all canoes, kayaks, and any boat under 16 feet in length on the Dam. Enjoy the holiday weekend and Be Safe!
Independence Day is also Fish-for-Free Day! To make the fishing experience more convenient, newcomers to the sport can borrow equipment from dozens of fishing tackle loaner sites across the state.
“We want to encourage individuals to try fishing so we’ve made it easy by setting up tackle loaner sites,” adds Laurel Anders, director of the Bureau of Boating and Outreach. “Many of the sites are right at state parks, which are always a popular place for visitors on holidays like July 4th. We also have loaner sites at county parks and some public libraries.”
For more information, please visit our website: http://fishandboat.com/fishforfree.htm
Southeastern Region
N. Montgomery County
Anglers on the Schuylkill River are reporting large Smallmouth Bass around the Pottstown Area. The Bass in this area mainly feed on crayfish so try using similar baits. Carp and catfish are also being caught in this area late at night. Pottstown Riverfront Park is a great place to fish this section of the river, with adequate parking and a trail along the water that stretches ½ mile.
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake
Bluegills and crappies are taking mealworms, wax worms, minnows and small jigs.
Bass are taking live bait (worms & minnows) as well as jigs, spinners and crank baits. Best soft bait worm colors to use are large black, purple, dark green and pumpkin seed. Best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers. Muskies are also being caught on very large lures (the larger the better), as well as bass spinners and crankbaits. They are being found along the shore in the weedy areas.
French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creek
All have good water with plenty of trout and very few anglers fishing for them. Water temps are in the mid to high 70s.
Fly anglers have reported taking trout on blue wing olives, midges and a few taken on sulfurs. Small pheasant tail and hares ears nymphs are a good bet for nymphing. Remember, you may never have bait in your possession in any of the Special Regulation Areas. The Fly Fishing Area is Catch & Release Only. You cannot possess bait in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas.
Schuylkill Rive/Black Rock area
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass fishing has slowed a bit. Catfish anglers have reported catching several large Channel Catfish and are also getting into Flathead Catfish as well.
Note: Stay 100’ clear of the fish ladder at the Black Rock Dam. Respect the river, and wear a PFD while onboard a boat.
S. Montgomery/W. Philadelphia Counties
Fishing on the Schuylkill River is in full swing with the arrival of Bass Season on June 13. Anglers are reporting sightings of fish believed to be Northern Snakeheads in the tidal section of Schuylkill River at the Art Museum/Waterworks.
Catfish are the main catch on the Delaware River and the Schuylkill River when fishing from the shore. Chicken livers, worms, shrimp, and bagels are the favored baits when fishing for catfish. Live bait offered after dark is the best choice when fishing for the monster Flatheads. Stripers are still being reported in the tidal section of the Schuylkill River, the minimum size limit is now 28 inches. Last, but certainly not least, Common Carp fishing is starting to heat up in the river as well.
Warm weather in the area brings with it increased boating activities on the Schuylkill River, especially around the Flat Rock Park/Access Area. Boaters are reminded to maintain a safe distance between boats, rowers and skiers. Be safe.