Northwest Region
Erie County
Steelhead Tributaries
Erie streams are still open at the moment but that could change quickly. This is going to depend on the temperatures. The eastside streams still have a good number of Steelhead in them and you’ll find them upstream as well due to the high waters that we’ve had.
Bayfront
Angers are still hitting Yellow Perch along the Bayfront areas in good numbers. You’ll have to weed through some smaller Yellow Perch but you’ll take home some very nice ones. Boaters are still heading out on the bay and lake but remember this time of year the water is really cold, so dress for it. Mandatory life jacket wear runs from November 1st thru April 30th on boats less than 16 feet and all canoes and kayaks.
Northeast Region
Wyoming County
Fishing opportunities are slim or, perhaps non-existent in the area. Temperatures have fluctuated and ice has formed on area lakes and ponds, but no safe ice has formed to provide ice fishing opportunities. Until last week, the Susquehanna River remained fishable, but ice formed on it as well. Now is a good time to prepare for the upcoming fishing season. Maintain equipment, tie flies and lures, or research new opportunities to fish when the weather is more conducive.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
Not much happening here in the North East with the weather being so unpredictable. There are some smaller lakes and ponds that have frozen over but the ice is not thick enough. If you are planning to go ice fishing on any of these areas please wear a PFD and fish with a buddy. Check the thickness of the ice before venturing out and don’t assume that just because someone has already walked on it that it is still safe. Have fun but be smart and be safe.
Southern Pike and Wayne counties
Fluctuations in temperature and recent rainfall events have left many of the larger impoundments in Southern Pike and Wayne counties with unstable ice conditions and fishing activity has waned. Smaller/shallower ponds have more ice but fisherman should use extreme caution and know the body of water they are fishing before venturing out onto the ice.
All 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.
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. Use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall though the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: http://fishandboat.com/safety.htm
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Last weekend’s warm up and rain event created weak spots in ice that had formed on county lakes; but with the return of cold weather, ice is building fast on a few of the lakes.
Use your best judgement when heading out, as many of the lakes are currently covered with a dusting of snow, hiding any potential weak areas. If you don’t feel safe, it is best to stay home and come back another day.
REMEMBER, SAFETY FIRST: http://fishandboat.com/water/ice_thickness.pdf
The more promising lakes for ice fishing this coming weekend are Beechwood, Hills Creek, and Hamilton!
Beechwood Lake
The lake is completely iced over. There is some junk ice right by the boat launch; but out past that is good black ice.
Hills Creek Lake
Ice fishing is a “reel” possibility in a few days!! Good, hard, black ice was found at Pines Launch.
NOTE: There is some slush/junk right at the edges; but other than that, the ice seems in good shape.
Hamilton Lake
Hamilton is about 95% capped; but the edges are sketchy from the high water. The first few feet near the banks are in rough shape. The first few feet are in rough shape.
There is currently open water in the middle, and by the boat launch, as well.
Cowanesque Lake
All of the west end of Cowanesque is frozen; but there is a lot of junk on the ice and the ice itself is murky, with muddy water below. The east end of the dam is open water.
Hammond Lake
Hammond is not in good ice shape. The water is muddy and the lake is half open. It will be a while before this lake locks up.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
The week of January 8, 2016, anglers were catching Yellow Perch and Bluegill through the ice at Hunter Run Cut. Anglers caught fish in 21 feet of water using tear drops and jigging spoons. Anglers reported high catch rates with plenty of legal fish mixed in!
Unfortunately, the warm weather and rain that crept over this past weekend deteriorated ice conditions; however, keep checking back because the long term forest looks promising for ice in the coming weeks!
Spring Creek
Water levels are up and is a bit off-color. Anglers are catching trout using streamers, nymphs, and egg patterns. Target the banks and slack water when the water is up.
Patterns that are working include walt’s worms, peach/pink egg patterns, black/brown slumpbusters, and bead head pheasant tails.
USGS Spring Creek water level at Houserville, PA : http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01546400
Penns Creek
The water level is very high and off color. It will take several more days for the stream to be fishable.
USGS Penns Creek at Penns Creek, PA: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01555000
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water levels and color are perfect! Anglers are catching trout using olive or black sculpin and streamer patterns. Target the banks, slack water, and the tail end of pools.
Other patterns that are working well are peach/pink egg patterns, bead head pheasant tails, and caddis larva.
Southeastern Region
As thoughts turn to 2016 spring trout stocking, PFBC Conservation Officers greatly appreciate the efforts of stocking helpers wanting to come out and help place fish in the creeks. While some spectators may only see Officers and Hatchery Staff on the stream in a local stream, those same staff are likely stocking multiple streams, and some in other counties over the course of a day. Look for the stocking list for a favorite stream on our website either from a link on the home page or here: http://fishandboat.com/stocked.htm Thank you. Here are some guidance for stocking helpers: http://fishandboat.com/stock_help.htm
S. Chester County
For anglers looking for fishing opportunities prior to the Regional Opening Day, the White Clay Creek Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) section is now open. The DHALO section is from Good Hope Road, downstream 1.7 miles to the confluence with the mouth of the White Clay Creek. The White Clay Flyfishers stocked the section with over 400 beautiful Brown Trout, with most in the 11 to 15 inch size. On the district Waterways Conservation Officer’s last patrol, numerous trout were holding in larger pools and there were few anglers. The weather will be warming up a bit this weekend, after this latest cold snap, so here is a chance to land and release some nice fish. Remember that this is a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Section so make sure to follow the regulations within this section, and don’t forget that valid fishing license if age 16 or older.
The White Clay Fly-Tying Club will meet at 6PM on Thursday, January 14 at the London Tract Meeting House in the White Clay Creek Preserve, located at the intersection of Sharpless & London Tract roads, Landenberg PA 19350, next to White Clay State Park Office. Fly tying materials are provided for those who do not have their own. Several flies are usually demonstrated and club members are happy to show you how it’s done, as well as spin a few stories about the last huge one that got away. Club mailing address is P.O. Box 762, Landenberg, PA 19350 for more information. Parking for club is behind the White Clay State Park Office. The White Clay Fly Fishers will also hold a fly swap on Tuesday, January 19 at the London Tract Meeting House at 7PM during the regular meeting at the London Tract Meeting House. The Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Sharpless and Meetinghouse Road. To exchange flies, participants will need to tie about a dozen flies to then exchange one for one with a dozen other attendees. Please bring an extra fly or two to donate to the banquet raffle for the club.
No ice in Hamburg.