Northwest Region
Crawford County
Woodcock Creek (below dam)
Anglers are still catching a lot of Bowfins, some smaller Walleye and Muskies.
Woodcock Lake
Anglers are catching some nice-sized Smallmouth Bass and a few Walleye.
Canadohta Lake
Anglers are targeting largemouth bass in the shallows during early evening with frogs and buzzbaits.
Sugar Lake
Most anglers are catching some smaller panfish, mostly Bluegills.
Area streams and rivers
Shallow water levels exist in some areas due to lack of rain making it a little more difficult for boating. (i.e. French Creek and upper Woodcock Lake)
Western Erie County
A few Steelhead have started to enter the tributaries of Lake Erie during the early morning hours. Spoons and long stick baits seem to be getting a few recently. It’s only a matter of time before the creek temperatures drop and the fall rains bring some much needed water to the streams.
Northeast Region
Pike & Wayne Counties
Anglers are finding the Smallmouth Bass activity has picked up on Lake Wallenpaupack. Successful anglers have been fishing cover in the shallower coves. Additionally, boaters should be aware lake levels have dropped considerably over the summer and objects normally submerged are above the water and, although visible, now create navigation hazards.
Northcentral Region
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water flow is good and the temperatures are in the low 60s. Anglers are catching trout using nymphs. A few tricos are still being seen along with the occasional cahill, tan caddis and of course midges and BWOs. Unweighted nymphs and caddis emergers are working well.
Early morning and late evening are the best times to be on the water. In the early morning hours try using a streamer along the slack water and bank areas. The streamer of choice is a slumpbuster (6-10).
Clearfield County
Curwensville Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using red worms near the shore. During Grandparents weekend, many young anglers caught their first fish at the PFBC Family Fishing program as part of the Clearfield Conservation Day with the Clearfield Conservation District!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is currently low and clear. Anglers are catching trout in the deep pool areas up in the “narrows”. You need to sneak up on each “targeted” pool, make long casts and use light weight gear for the shallow areas. If you are targeting the deeper pools, put some weight on your line to get the flies to the bottom where the trout are holding tight.
The cool nights are keeping water temperatures stable in the upper 50s to lower 60s.
Nymphing and dry-dropper rigs are working best in the early to late evening hours. Patters that are working best are: tan elk hair caddis; CDC caddis; caddis larva; bead head pheasant tails.
Anglers have seen slate drakes, some caddis and midges coming off the water. There has been little surface action. Most of the takes have been sub-surface on nymphs.
Northumberland County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass using spinner baits. Best time to fish is early morning and late afternoon/evening. Target banks, points of grassy beds, and deeper pools with good habitat (e.g. logs/woody debris)
Tioga/Lycoming County
Pine Creek
1.2” of rain feel in the last 4.5 days. Water levels are good with water temperatures ranging from 58-64 F. The cool nights have assisted in keeping water temperatures down. That is great for fish and for fishing!
Anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymphs including, but not limited to beadhead pheasant tail, prince nymph, yellow emerger, copper john, golden micro stone, slate drake emerger.
Early morning, late afternoon and evening are the best times to be on the water and catching fish!
Southeastern Region
Berks County
Fall trout stocking will begin in the county with Tulpehocken Creek on October 13 in both sections 7 & 8. Then Scotts Run Lake will be stocked on October 14. Please see the full trout stocking schedule here: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx You can download the free mobile app here to follow the stocking schedule: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/mobile.htm
Chester County
The East Branch Brandywine Creek is scheduled to be stocked again on October 1 in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section.
Delaware County
Ridley Creek is scheduled for a trout stocking on October 1 in the Catch & Release Fly-Fishing Only section and the section under Commonwealth Inland Regs.
Philadelphia County
The 11th annual Philly Fun Fishing Fest was held this past Saturday along the Schuylkill Banks trail around the Walnut St. Bridge. There were 111 participants, and they caught 235 fish from 7am to 11am. Fish were released after the event. The following species were caught:
- Channel Catfish
- Flathead Catfish
- Striped Bass
- Bluegill
- American Eel
- White Perch
PA Fish & Boat Commission Outreach and Law Enforcement staff provided free loaner fishing equipment, a fishing license exemption for the hours of the event and assisted newer anglers with bringing in their catch. Photos of this year’s event can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/philadelphiawater/sets/72157658633115895
Pennypack Creek is scheduled for trout stocking on October 7.
Schuylkill County
Tuscarora Lake is scheduled for trout stocking on October 5.