Northwest Region
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are reporting catching Muskellunge throughout the lake with most of them being caught while trolling. Anglers are reporting the summer Walleye bite has picked up recently. Worm harnesses and stick baits seem to be getting the most limits. Anglers are reporting catching several Channel Catfish throughout the lake. The Channel Catfish population in Pymatuning Reservoir has been increasing over the last few years. Anglers are reporting using dough balls or night crawlers as bait.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are reporting Smallmouth Bass being caught on the weed lines near the North end of the lake. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits have been producing the most Smallmouth Bass and several nice Largemouth Bass. With the dry weather forecast this weekend, the lake will be used by recreational boaters and anglers so please give each other plenty of space on the water.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are reporting that the Largemouth Bass are still hitting top water lures in early morning and late evening. Lake Wilhelm has produced several bass in the 4-5 pound range this summer. Most kayak bass anglers are targeting the Northern end in the stumps area. Walleye has been equally as strong this summer. Most Walleye that are caught are legal and of good size. All indications lead most anglers to believe that the fishery has responded from the Gizzard Shad explosion of the past 10-15 years. The best fishing might be in the years to come.
Erie County
Lake Erie
The fishing this summer has been hit or miss. Anglers will go out one day and limit out. They will go to the same spot the next day and won’t catch any. Anglers targeting Yellow Perch should look in 52-58 foot of water off of Greenfield and the W’s. Anglers targeting Walleye should try in the First Trench in about 45 to 55 feet of water. Worm harnesses and stick baits seem to be the bait of choice.
Northeast Region
Carbon County
Little to no trout fishing activity has been occurring on the district’s approved trout waters in recent weeks with the exception of Mauch Chunk Creek and Pohopoco Creek, downstream of the outlet of Beltzville Lake. A number of anglers fishing the Lehigh River near Parryville, Bowmanstown and the Palmerton area had reported good success catching Smallmouth Bass. Whitewater rafting activity on the Lehigh River has been especially busy on the weekends within the Lehigh Gorge State Park and down river to the Rt. 895 Bridge near Bowmanstown. Anglers fishing the river during the evenings also had reported catching nice size catfish and eels.
Mauch Chunk Lake
Mauch Chunk Lake has been providing good bass action in recent weeks. However, most bass are under the legal minimum size of fifteen inches. Mauch Chunk Lake is governed by the Big Bass Program Special Regulations. In addition, anglers fishing off the fishing pier located at boat launch A have been reporting catching nice size crappie and some pickerel as well. However, most pickerel are sub-legal in length. A jig tipped with a live minnow appears to work well for catching some crappie. Perch action also appears to be good near the area of the lake near boat launch B.
Beltzville Lake
Beltzville Lake has been producing some decent bass action near the power line area of the lake and the upper reaches of Pohopoco Bay. Striped bass action appears to be best during the evenings or early morning hours. An angler recently reported catching a 24” walleye off the point of the Pine Run boat access during the evening while using a deep diving crank bait. Boat traffic remains heavy during the weekends.
Anglers, boaters and persons visiting both Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake are reminded that alcoholic beverages are prohibited on both the water and on the lands at the parks. Boaters are reminded to check all the necessary boating safety equipment on their boats including a valid registration ( motor boats) or Pa. Fish & Boat Commission or DCNR launch permit (non – powered boats ) before venturing out on to the waters. Remember to wear your life jacket. It could save your life.
Wyoming County
Susquehanna River
The rain has kept the river high for the past month but it is returning to normal levels and more anglers are fishing as the river is dropping. As the river settles expect the fishing to continue to pick up.
Lake Winola
Anglers are finding success for both Largemouth bass and trout.
Fords Lake and area farm ponds
Fishing has been excellent for panfish.
As typical with this time of year, anglers looking for success need to be on the water early or make sure to be there late. The fish are more active during these times and if you plan your fishing trips to be on the water at these times, you should find better success.
Northcentral Region
Elk County
With a severe rain storm here over the weekend, the Clarion River is flowing fast and the water is high. Please use caution and wear your life jacket. Be safe! >
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.
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are still catching trout in the early morning hours using minnows. Anglers are also catching trout during those hours using a variety of nymphs (walts worms; bead head prince nymphs; and green weenies). Once the sun gets overhead, the bite declines rapidly; but a few fish are still being caught in the shade line and deeper water.
Southeastern Region
The recent heat wave that passed through may keep some anglers indoors, but those willing to go out after dusk can find success in deeper pools fishing for catfish, such as pools created by dams. Be careful and heed all signage where you can and can’t fish around a dam. Channel Catfish may take nightcrawlers, commercial stink baits, shrimp or chicken livers dropped on the bottom. If bait fishing isn’t for you, then Channel Catfish are also known to strike lures traditionally used for bass angling, such as stick baits. Stick baits with reflective paint/striping will draw more attention for game fish after dark.
Target Largemouth Bass early in the morning and later in the evening. Try tossing lures around weedbeds. Anglers with a keen eye can find gamefish chasing baitfish around the weeds, and dropping your lure into this underwater chaos could lead to a hooked bass.