Pennsylvania Fishing Report – February 4, 2016

Northwest Region

Butler County

Lake Arthur

Anglers are reporting good numbers of legal Largemouth Bass and large Bluegill in the Muddy Creek area.

Lake Oneida/Thorn Run Reservoir

Ice fishing at these impoundments is not permitted. Please review regulation signs posted at these water areas.

Harbar Acres Lake (SGL 95)

This lake will receive a trout stocking on March 1st. Anglers are reminded that from March 1st until 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season in April the possession limit is 0 (catch and release only).

Crawford County

Pymatuning Reservoir

Anglers are reporting crappies, Yellow Perch, and Walleye being caught off of Tuttle Point.

French Creek

The creek has shore ice with some flow ice. Almost open waters from Wilson Chutes to Cochranton.

Mercer County

Shenango Reservoir

The water levels are average for this time of year, depending on how the recent snow melt affected the water. There are still plenty of stocked trout below the Shenango Reservoir outflow. This area is designated as a year-round trout fishery so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish the area from the outflow to the Walnut Street Bridge regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting. The creel limit is 3 fish.

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 through the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: http://fishandboat.com/safety.htm

Northeast Region

Carbon County

A number of ice anglers were observed or reported catching perch between thirteen to fourteen inches at Mauch Chunk Lake off boat launch B during the weekend. Anglers have also been landing many sub-legal bass and pickerel. Most fish were caught using live minnow or jigs tipped with wax worms.

Anglers also reported catching a few pickerel and panfish through the ice at Beltzville Lake off the Preachers Camp access area of the lake.

Both Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake still have open areas of water. Ice conditions are not monitored on most Commonwealth Waters including Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake. Before venturing out onto the ice, it is important to take safety precautions to reduce the risk of falling through the ice. Anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek downstream of the outlet of Beltzville Lake reported catching a few trout, but the overall catch rate was slow. Fishing activity on most of the other waters in the district has been very light to no activity occurring in recent weeks.

Lackawanna County

This past weekend there were plenty of ice fishermen out. Anglers had plenty of success using tip-ups and live bait. There were reports of anglers catching large numbers of bass and pickerel through the ice. It was a great weekend for ice fishing. Anglers targeting panfish had success as well. Forecasted rain and warmer weather this week may begin to deteriorate some ice. Anglers all reminded to check ice conditions before venturing out.

Northern Wayne County

Unseasonably warm weather has kept the ice thickness in the district at considerably less than normal. Some lakes and ponds still have open water. Hard-water anglers should proceed with caution and wear a personal floatation device while venturing on the ice.

The Bluegill fishing at White Oak Pond has declined. However, the anglers are catching pickerel and bass in droves. The perch, crappie, bass and especially pickerel are hitting like crazy. If you get out make sure to try a medium shiner on a tip-up.

Southern Luzerne & Southern Columbia County

With shelf ice along much of the shoreline, fishing pressure has been light on the Susquehanna River this month. However, we finally have fishable ice on most of the impoundments in the district. Anglers were catching trout through the ice at Lily Lake and some anglers were doing well with panfish at Francis E. Walter Reservoir, as well as Penn Lake over the last week of January. Unfortunately, with warmer than usual temperatures, and rain in the forecast this week, it is unknown just how much ice will be left. Anglers are advised to use extreme caution, ICE CONDITIONS ARE NOT MONITORED BY THE FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION. It is the responsibility of each angler, to ensure his or her safety on the ice.

Fishing on the local trout streams has been non-existent; there are still plenty of holdover trout in the local creeks, as well as the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures only section of the Nescopeck Creek.

With stocking season right around the corner, anglers are encouraged to get out and experience a stocking if you have never participated. To those who are regulars at such an event, thank you in advance and I look forward to seeing all of the familiar faces once again. Schedules will be posted on the web site in the near future. Stocking schedules can be found at: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx

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 through the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: http://fishandboat.com/safety.htm

Northcentral Region

NOTE: Reports below were from the past several days within the region. Current conditions of warm temperatures and rain (up to three-quarters of an inch) will impact ice safety and water levels across the region. Cold temperatures will return to most of the region Thursday night; however, it will take a few days or more to build up ice again.

Tioga County

Beechwood Lake

This past weekend, anglers were catching Crappie and Yellow Perch using waxworms and maggots. A few trout were also caught using fathead minnows on tip-ups.

Hills Creek Lake

Over the last few days, anglers were catching Bluegills and Yellow Perch using waxworms in 6-10 feet of water. Some of the Yellow Perch measured in at 12 inches. Evenings and mornings were the best times to be on the lake.

During mid-day hours, pickerel were active. Anglers were catching pickerel using live shiners and fatheads on tip-ups.

A few anglers caught Bluegills and Crappies at night using glow jigs tipped with waxworms.

Hamilton Lake

Anglers have been catching Crappies, Bluegill and Yellow Perch in deeper water over the last few days. The best locations were near the dam in 15-28 feet of water. Chartreuse, glow, yellow and pink jigs tipped with waxworms were working best.

A few trout were also being caught higher in the water column in the same areas. Chartreuse dough bait, waxworms and fathead minnows were all working for trout.

Bass were also being caught using live shiners.

Lycoming County

Rose Valley Lake

Anglers were catching pickerel and Largemouth Bass. Walleye were also being caught in the evening.

West Branch Susquehanna River

Water levels are on the rise. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie.

NOTE: Anglers who wish to fish the area known as “The Guts” near the Arch Street Bridge need to park at the Susquehanna State Park (North) side of the Arch Street Bridge. The area near the old baseball field and railroad tracks is private property. Borough Police can issue citations for those who park on the private property.

Keep an eye on West Branch Susquehanna River water levels here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01551500

Centre County

Spring Creek

Water levels are on the rise. It is a great time to use streamers. Fishing streamers on this stream during and after a rain event will not disappoint! Slumpbusters are the “go to” streamer pattern for this stream.

Anglers are also catching trout using a variety of nymph patterns. Patterns that are working best are beadhead walt’s worms; zebra midges; scuds; squirmy wormy.

Keep an eye on Spring Creek water levels here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01546400

Southeastern Region

Berks County

For some great winter trout fishing opportunities, try out Antietam Lake in Berks County. Antietam Lake is stocked seasonally with trout by the PFBC. Just remember if you’re going to venture out on the ice, be careful and know the proper thickness. Ice may not be the same thickness all over so use caution, and try to stay away from stickups like brush, plants, or logs as the ice will be less thick near debris. Remember to always let someone know where you are going ice fishing and how long you plan on being gone. With the varying temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately, the lake may thaw and refreeze a couple times this winter so make sure you are cautious before venturing out. Good luck and happy fishing!

Bucks County

The weather is again challenging anglers with colder temperatures, but not enough to create a good hard-water fishing environment. If ice does form thick enough to venture out upon, please do so with caution. The State and County Parks in Bucks County do not monitor ice conditions, so do not assume that because others have ventured out on the ice that it is safe to do so.

Anglers fishing for Walleyes in the Delaware River have had good success jigging slowly in the deeper waters surrounding structure and current breaks.

Several anglers have reported slow but steady success trolling and slowly working top water lures for stripers on Nockamixon Lake.

This can be a great and rewarding time to be on the water, just be certain to take the proper precautions for recreating around cold water. This winter has given us many days with warm air temperatures, and it seems many anglers seem to disregard the dangers that lay below their boats in the form of very cold water. Follow this link to read about the dangers of cold water fishing and boating: http://fishandboat.com/safety.htm

Be Safe!

Chester County

The White Clay Flyfishers in Southern Chester County host guest speakers on fishing topics and provide educational classes for both fly tying and fishing. Meetings are held starting at 7 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, so the next meeting will be on February 16th. Meetings are held at the London Tract Baptist Meetinghouse at the intersection of Sharpless and London Tract Roads, Landenberg, PA. 19350, which is next to the White Clay Park Office. The Club is always looking for new members. For more information check out the website at www.whiteclayflyfishers.org

Philadelphia County

This year, please join us in the Philadelphia area for the Mentored Youth Fishing Day. On March 26, 2016, all stocked trout waters will be open to Mentored Youth Fishing.

ADULTS – To participate in the Mentored Youth Fishing Day, anglers 16 years of age or older (adult anglers) must possess a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who has obtained a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission.

YOUTH – Youth anglers must obtain a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission and be accompanied by an adult licensed angler in order to participate.
More information is available at this link: http://fishandboat.com/MentoredYouth.htm