Northwest Region
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are still reporting some nice crappies and big Bluegills.
Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching Walleye and Yellow Perch. All boats, including canoes & kayaks using the PFBC’s Gravel Lick Access Areas must be registered to use this facility.
Piney Dam
Anglers are still reporting some nice Walleye, Yellow Perch, and an occasional Musky are being caught.
Allegheny River
Anglers are still reporting some Walleye between Emlenton & Parker. A few Muskies and Northern Pike have been taken at the confluences of the Clarion River and Redbank Creek. All boats, including canoes & kayaks, using the PFBC’s Parker & Brady’s Bend Access Areas must be registered to use these facilities.
Crawford County
French Creek
Walleyes are starting to be more active as the water cools. Water looks good and fishable. Reminder: All boats moored at PFBC Access Areas should have been removed by November 30th.
Eastern Erie County
Mile Streams
The forecast has not changed much, though mid-December temperatures are forecasted to be above normal with below normal rain fall. The Mile Streams are low and clear and angler pressures have been low.
Lake Pleasant
They have been producing some panfish using grubs and minnows. Lake Pleasant will receive its winter trout stockings December 15th.
Western Erie County
Walnut Creek, Elk Creek, Trout Run, Godfrey Run, Crooked Creek, & Lake Erie
Steelhead shore anglers are doing well on when wave conditions permit off the mouth of Walnut Creek, Trout, and Godfrey Runs. Be sure between the hours of 10pm and 5am to stay fifty (50) yards away from the mouth of Trout & Godfrey Runs. Fairview State Fish Hatchery has already been pulling Steelhead from Trout Run and has returned some of those fish to Upper Crooked Creek. Steelhead anglers are having success on lower Walnut, Elk, and Crooked Creeks when water conditions cooperate.
Due to a recent tip from a concerned angler, eleven citations were generated on five suspects who are accused of snagging, using illegal methods to take fish, and fishing in closed waters during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Over fourteen hundred dollars in fines were assessed and eleven illegal Steelhead trout were seized. If you see any illegal activities do not hesitate to contact the Commission’s Northwest Region’s Bureau of Law Enforcement at (814) 337-0444.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye and Musky on the Allegheny River in the Tionesta pool.
Tionesta Creek
Trout fishing in Tionesta Creek can be productive around Barnes. Anglers have reported seeing Golden Rainbow Trout near the bridge.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler temperatures. Water levels are even lower due to the reclamation of the construction debris that was left from the rebuilding of the RT 18 Causeway. During this time of year, be cognizance that boaters must share the lake with anglers and hunters alike. The US Army Corp of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, always had the rule of mandatory life jacket wear if your craft is less than 16 feet in length and on all canoes and kayaks. As of the last couple of years a new State law is in effect that it is mandatory Personal Flotation Device be worn starting November 01 through April 30th on all boats under 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks regardless of the water that you are boating. Remember your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 9-1-1.
Shenango River
The Shenango Outflow down to the Walnut Street Bridge was stocked with trout in early October. A reminder that this area is designated as a year round trout fishery so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish that area regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting. Plenty of fishing opportunities are still available. The creel limit for trout this time of year is 3 fish.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye and Smallmouth Bass on the Allegheny River at Dorcon Road behind the United Refinery.
Chapman Lake
Chapman Lake will not be stocked with trout this spring due to a scheduled draw down for repairs to the dam.
Kinzua Reservoir
Hunters are reminded that they must wear a PFD at all times while on board any canoe, kayak or boat less than 16 feet in length while on Kinzua Reservoir.
Northeast Region
Safety and Regulations for all Anglers and Boaters
All boaters are reminded that a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
All anglers across the state need to be aware that bear and then deer rifle season are starting over the next week and run until Saturday, December 12th. Make sure to wear fluorescent orange while fishing, a hat and vest will do the trick, to make sure hunters can clearly see you. Fluorescent orange is not required on Sundays since hunting is closed on that day. Good luck and be safe!
Pike County
Due to the unseasonably warm weather conditions anglers in the month of November did reasonably well fishing the smaller impoundments in southern Pike County. The most cooperative species of fish appears to be Pickerel, caught on natural bait.
Wayne County
Unseasonably warm weather has provided extended open water opportunities. Long Pond and Upper Woods Pond have recently been stocked with trout. Walleye are active on the Delaware River, Duck Harbor and Prompton Dam.
Northcentral Region
YUM!! The holidays are a time to share moments and good food with family and friends. With a fishing license you can provide lots of unique and VERY TASTY dishes for your guests.
TRY out this “Cornmeal-Breaded Panfish Fillet” recipe for your next gathering!
Find more tasty fish recipes here: http://fishandboat.com/anglerboater/recipes/00kitchen.htm
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
The lake is down 5 feet so there is excellent shoreline access!! Anglers should head out and take advantage of this opportunity with nice weather and easy access to great fishing!!
The Yellow Perch bite is on!! Anglers are catching lots of Yellow Perch using worms fished on the bottom of the flats adjacent to deeper areas. Anglers are also catching Crappie using jigs near areas where PFBC Habitat Section placed felled trees near deeper water. Crappie and Yellow Perch are also hitting live minnows as well!
Penns Creek
Anglers are catching trout using stonefly patterns and caddis larvae. Other patterns that are working well are hares ear; beadhead prince; and pheasant tails.
Olive sculpin patterns are also working well!
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymphs (pheasant tails; olive bird of prey caddis; brown zebra midge; walt’s worms). Streamers are also still working well!!
Best time of day to be on the stream is late morning into the afternoon.
Updated water flows and temperatures can be found here: Upper Spring Creek at Houserville, PA
Southeastern Region
Boaters are reminded that they are required to wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
All anglers across the state need to be aware that deer season runs until Saturday, December 12th. While not required, wearing fluorescent orange while fishing is recommended during this time. A hat and vest will do the trick, to make sure hunters can clearly see you. Good luck and be safe!
The warm weather forecast for the next few days will create a great opportunity for anglers to get out and enjoy some late-season fishing. Temperatures should reach the mid-60s over the weekend.
Anglers might consider targeting walleyes on lakes and reservoirs. Fish the deeper water towards the dam or downstream end of the waterway and focus your efforts on drop offs, steep banks and rocky points. Try vertical jigging with heavy jigs that are tipped with a shiner or other minnow. Or try trolling with deep running crankbaits.
Anglers that prefer river or large creek fishing may want to target bass. Bass tend to school more in the late fall and winter seasons. They will travel creek channels or hang around the mouths of major creeks in search of schools of baitfish. Use big lures to target big bass – soft and hard jerk baits, plugs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. You can also try jigging spoons or grubs on jig heads.
There are also plenty of trout left in area waterways for those anglers that prefer fishing smaller streams. Trout are more lethargic and conserve their energy this time of year so try deep pools or seams where slow and fast water meets. Try low and slow with a spinner. Or use a woolly bugger fished deep if you prefer using fly fishing gear.