Northwest Region
Butler County
Harbor Acres Lake (SGL 95)
This lake was recently stocked with some very nice Brown Trout. Warmer winter temperatures should provide anglers with additional opportunities for fishing at this location. Limit is 3 trout.
Lake Arthur
Two boating accidents in October and November should serve as a good reminder for boaters to boat safely. Wear your life jackets and avoid boating areas/activities if experiencing bad weather or hazardous water conditions.
Crawford County
French Creek
Anglers are catching Walleye on French Creek and Cussewago in spots.
Geneva Marsh
Anglers are reporting some pressure in spots.
Eastern Erie County
Mile Streams
The forecast for the next 10 days are temperatures in the upper 40’s to mid-30 with little to no rain. The Mile Streams are low and clear and angler pressure have been low. The lack of rain this fall has hurt the Steelhead runs on the eastside.
Lake Pleasant
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
In the lower stretches of Walnut Creek, anglers are having good success with Steelhead. Steelhead have moved up in Crooked and Elk Creeks and anglers are doing well when stream conditions allow. Nice Brown Trout are being caught in the lower sections of Elk and Crooked Creeks. Uniformed and undercover officers are still encountering common violations of snagging, over limit, and littering.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Musky and Walleye on the Allegheny River in Tionesta. Anglers are catching Walleye and Smallmouth Bass on the Allegheny River at Dorcon Road.
Tionesta Creek
Trout anglers report numerous trout remaining in Tionesta Creek around Barnes and Duck Eddy.
Lawrence County
Mahoning River/Shenango River
Boat accesses are open and water levels are good for canoeing/kayaking. Please remember to wear your life jackets and provide friends or family members with your float plan.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are reporting little to no boating pressure with a few slab crappies being caught.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Water temperature reflects 41.5 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Smallmouth Bass and Walleye catches are being reported with baits of choice being lures and jigs.
French Creek
Fishing activity has fallen off; however, the continued run of unseasonably warm temperatures may serve to rekindle local angler interest.
Oil Creek
Occasional anglers can still be found within the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area(s) surrounding Oil Creek State Park and Drake Well Museum.
Justus Lake
Trout are stacking within the tail reaches of Two mile Run as it enters the northern end of the lake.
Bear Run, Cherry Run, Porcupine Creek, and Reese Run
These streams, within designated lengths/sections, are listed as Class ‘A’ Wild Trout Waters. During the Extended Trout Season, which is the day after Labor Day through the last day in February (following), these streams are NO HARVEST. A valid trout/salmon stamp is mandatory year-round to fish these streams, for anglers who are required to be licensed.
Mandatory Life Jacket Wear
During the period of 01 November through 30 April, ALL BOATERS are required to wear a life jacket, at all times, while on watercraft less than 16’ in length or ANY canoe or kayak.
NAVIGATION HAZARD
Watercraft operators should be aware that the ice control device spanning the Allegheny River, upstream of the State Street (Veteran’s) Bridge, in the City of Oil City, in now in place. Boaters are urged to use caution when operating in this area. A navigation channel/slot exists for the use of recreational watercraft traffic; it is located just to river left of center (southern shore).
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!
Southern Luzerne & Southern Columbia Counties
Fishing pressure on the Susquehanna River has picked up recently and it appears that the late season bite for walleyes is on. Anglers are reporting good catches between Nanticoke and Macanaqua, with the best baits seeming to be crawler rigs or soft plastics tipped with a leech.
The DHALO section of the Nescopeck Creek, as well as Lake Irena and Lily Lake continue to produce nice trout as well.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Skim ice has been spotted on swamps and small ponds, but it only lasts for a few hours in the morning. Water temperatures in most of the water bodies, with depth, across the county are still in the 40’s.
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using nightcrawlers and live minnows. They are also catching trout using rainbow colored paste bait.
(photo courtesy of PFBC)
McKean County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye using a variety of bait. One angler recently caught a 29” 8lb Walleye! Now there is a great meal!!
Centre County
Penns Creek
Water levels are low and clear at the moment. Rain predicted over the next few days will improve water flows and fishing success.
Fishing is best from mid-afternoon on. Nymphing is the most productive form of fishing at this time. The most successful patterns at this time are hares ear, pheasant tail, caddis larvae and beadhead prince nymphs.
Anglers are also catching trout using streamers. Sculpin patterns are working best. Target riffle areas that flow into deeper runs, along the banks and deeper slack water areas.
Spring Creek
Water levels are low, but should improve with the rain predicted over the next few days.
Anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymphs. Pheasant tails, caddis larvae, zebra midge, walts worm patterns are working well.
Olive or black streamer patterns are working well. A favorite pattern of local anglers is the slumpbuster!
Updated water flows and temperatures can be found here: Upper Spring Creek at Houserville, PA
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water levels are low. The rain predicted for the next few days should increase fishing success!
Light weight nymphs are working well at this time. Once the rains increase water flow, you will want to have some weighted nymphs or split shot to help get your flies to their target.
REMINDER: During hunting season we encourage anglers to wear fluorescent orange. It is an important habit to get into this time of year! Also, keep in mind that the mandatory cold weather life jacket wear regulation remains in effect through April 30.
Southeastern Region
Some boaters have already stored their vessels away for the winter, but the mild air temperatures have some still getting out on the water around the region in powerboats and canoes/kayaks. Keep in mind the cold weather life jacket mandatory wear requirement: From Nov. 1 to April 30, Boaters must wear a life jacket on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Bucks County
Anglers were catching the recently stocked trout out of Lake Luxembourg in Core Creek Park over the past week. Try fishing up by the bridge at the upper end of the lake, but be willing to move to find the trout. Try paste baits, mealworms and wax worms. Expect to catch white perch and sunfish while trying for the trout. Try spinnerbaits for the Largemouth Bass here.
Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes were taking large minnows around the New Hope wing dam on the Delaware River. Try live eels for the Stripers.
Chester County
Try minnows and tubes for the Smallmouth Bass out at Marsh Creek Lake.
Lancaster County
Try leeches, tubes and minnows for the Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River. Find deeper water out of the current.