Northwest Region
Butler County
Harbar Acres Lake
This has recently been stocked with trout. Anglers may fish at this lake year round but are reminded that no trout may be taken from March 1 until 8 a.m. on the opening day of regular trout season in April. Once trout season begins, anglers with a valid fishing license and trout/salmon permit may take/possess trout. All other seasons, sizes and, creel limits apply.
Reminder: Due to the likelihood of cold water injury, regulations require all persons on board boats less than 16 feet in length and on all canoes and kayaks must WEAR a lifejacket between November 1 and April 30.
Northeast Region
Boaters and boat anglers are reminded to wear their USCG Approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) on boats less than 16’ in length and on any canoe or kayak during the cold weather months which is November 1st through April 30th.
Wyoming County
The Susquehanna River is in great shape. Anglers are doing well targeting Smallmouth Bass, catfish, carp and walleye. Also, this should be a good time for crappies in area lakes.
Anglers are reminded Local Stocked Trout Waters are now closed and stocking across the district is underway. Anglers wishing to participate in those stockings are encouraged to check the website for dates and meeting times.
Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Stocking of trout is well under way here in the district and things have been going well so far. We are always thankful for the help we receive from volunteers so keep on coming out to help and to get a look at the trout we are putting in to prepare for the season opener. Remember to wear sturdy footwear and to dress for the weather.
Anglers heading out to Harveys Lake should be aware of bridge work that is going on in the area of the Grotto. The Route 415 Bridge is being replaced in this area. Boaters should use caution when in this area and should follow all posted direction. We are hoping that work will be completed by the beginning of the boating season this summer but they will still be working in the area come the first day of trout season. Current work in the area is impacting access to the marina on the lake side by the bridge for shore fishermen. If this continues to be the case when it comes time to stock we will have to skip this spot. If that does occur we will stock heavier in the other locations around the lake (mainly at the Fish and Boat Commission Launch).
The Susquehanna River is in great shape for some fishing. Boaters are reminded that all those aboard any boat less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks are required to wear a PFD at all times on the water until April 30th.
Carbon County
On Saturday, April 2nd at 8 am, the Regional Opening Day of Trout season will begin on the Lizard Creek and the Mahoning Creek in the District. The other Stocked Trout Waters in the District are closed to fishing. Anglers are encouraged to consult the 2016 PA Fishing Summary for a further listing of the Trout Stocked Waters.
Anglers are reminded that most stocking & fishing access areas along the Trout Stocked Waters in the District have occurred as a result of the landowner agreeing to allow access. Anglers are encouraged to respect the rights of the landowner and refrain from starting open fires, littering, blocking gates or access to the landowner’s property
The Regional Mentored Youth Trout Day occurred on March 26th on the Lizard Creek and Mahoning Creek. Although, the streams were clear and flowing low a number of youths were able to catch trout. The Regional Mentored Youth Trout Day pressure was light on most areas of the Lizard Creek and the Mahoning Creek.
Anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek from the outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream to the Rt. 209 bridge have been reporting good success catching trout (catch & release). The Pohopoco Creek is designated as a Class A Trout Stream with no harvest of trout beginning the day after Labor Day through the Regular Opening Day of trout season.
Anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake in recent days have been reporting doing well catching pickerel. However, most pickerel were less than the minimum legal size. Perch measuring between 13” – 14” were also reported being caught at the lake.
A Basic Boating Education Course is being offered at Beltzville State Park on April 25th, and April 27th, from 6pm – 10pm each night. There is no charge for the course, but all participants must pre-register, and attend both sessions. Persons interested in attending the course should contact the Park Office at 610-377-0045 to pre-register.
Northcentral Region
REMINDER: PA Fish and Boat Commission manages some of PA waterways as “Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing”. Under this regulation, anglers can fish for trout year round at these specified locations. From March 1 to opening day, no trout may be taken or possessed. (Review the full regulation using the link provided below)
Click HERE to find a “Stocked Trout Waterway Open to Year-Round Fishing” near you: http://fishandboat.com/fishpub/summary/yearround.html
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Although the lake water level is still low, a few boaters and paddlers were on the lake this week. Keep an eye on lake water levels here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01547480
Anglers are catching Crappie, Sunfish and Yellow Perch around the lake. Hunter Run Cut, the Causeway and the main marina are places anglers are having the most luck. Baits of choice are minnows, waxworms and small jigs.
A few anglers reported catching 14-15 inch Crappie!
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching fish in all sections of the stream, using flies and spinners. A few anglers caught several large trout just downstream of Bellefonte. These trout were caught on spinners and streamers.
Suckers are spawning, so make sure you bring a few yellow/peach sucker spawn fly patterns with you!
Black Moshannon Creek (Delayed Harvest & Artificial Lure Only Area)
Anglers are catching trout using spinners and various wet fly patterns.
Anglers are reminded to pay attention to signs posted in the area. Fishing can only occur in the special regulation area, not the “Stocked Trout Waters” area.
Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching large Yellow Perch below the dam in Lock Haven.
Pine Creek
Anglers are catching trout in the “Catch and Release All Tackle Area”. If you have “cabin fever”, this is a great place to get some fishing in, on these unseasonably warm days!
Southeastern Region
Pre-season trout stockings are wrapping up this week in the Southeast Region in anticipation of the Regional Opening Day of Trout on Saturday, April 2 at 8:00AM. Future inseason stockings can be found on the schedule here: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Chester County
The Big Elk Creek, Section 1, from the confluence with the East Branch & West Branch Elk Creek to T307 Camp Bonsall Road and the East Branch Big Elk, Section 2, from New London Township line to the Confluence with the West Branch Elk Creek, and the White Clay Creek, Middle Branch Section 2, will be stocked with trout on Monday April 4th. We will meet at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 896. We will be on 896 at 12:00 PM. One of the most recent stockings was short on help. Please come out to assist us with the stocking.
The East Branch Octoraro Creek Section 2, West Branch Brandywine Creek Section 3, and Beaver Creek Section 2, are scheduled to be stocked on Wednesday, April 6th at 11:30 AM. The meeting place is the lane across from the Sadsburyville Post Office. If you have not taken a child on a trout stocking yet, put it on your got to do list and bring a camera to catch all those smiles!
On Thursday, March 24, we stocked Indian Run, Section 2, Pleasant View Road To Mouth, Little Muddy Creek, Section, 2, Bowmansville Rd, To 140 Yards, Down of 897, & Middle Creek, Section 2, Middle Creek Dam To West Lime Rock Road. Thank you to the many individual anglers that came out to assist and who helped to float stock. We were able to distribute the fish evenly along stream sections and to do so quickly. The fish looked fat and happy.
Lancaster County
As the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season approaches, remember to respect the landowners. Carry-out any trash, such as bait containers, monofilament, hook packages, etc. Additionally, the privilege to camp and have a campfire on private property is not a rite of tradition; rather it can only be lawfully done with the landowner’s consent. Refer to page 9 of the 2016 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary for additional property regulations. Anglers should be aware of where they are parking their vehicles, so as not to block access of the land owner, damage the property turf or create a traffic hazard. Per the PFBC’s Coldwater Unit Manager Tom Greene, approximately 75% of lands trout stocked in the Commonwealth are privately owned.
Parents are encouraged to share in the tradition of the trout opener with their children, and as a courtesy reminder are required to maintain separate creels/buckets/stringers for their catches. Refer to page 9 of the 2016 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regs. Refer also to the section entitled Assistance to Children on page 8.
Fishing Derbies: Sportsmen’s clubs and civic groups planning to host youth fishing derbies are reminded that a Special Activity Permit is required. The permit application can be downloaded from the website. There is no fee for permit submission and approval. The permit shall be applied for at least 60 days before the date of the event. A Fishing Derby is: an organized event involving 10 or more participants conducted for children under the age of 16, senior events (as defined in section 2701 in the code relating to definitions), anglers with disabilities, special populations or other group when the principal purpose is education or enjoyment rather than competition among anglers.
Reporting Violations: Illegal fishing activity can be reported to Southeast Region Headquarters in Elm at 626-0228, Monday – Friday, 8a-4p, or at all other times to the non-emergency number of Countywide Communications at 664-1180 – Be certain to inform the Dispatcher that it is a fishing violation and request that it be routed to Officer Schmidt.
District WCO Schmidt promotes float stocking, wherein approx.. 200 – 300 trout are placed in floats, 55 gallon plastic drums, specially constructed for this purpose. This facilitates the planting of the trout throughout a given section of stream, as individuals donned in waders, intermittently net out the fish using catch and release nets. This practice promotes an even distribution of the fish through a stretch of stream. It also requires helpers. Sportsmen’s organizations are asked to take ownership, so to speak, of a stream or stream-portion to accomplish more float stockings. “Going forward, I want to increase the numbers of stream sections that are float stocked, reliant on acceptable water levels and stalwart helpers.” For more on float stocking: http://lancasteronline.com/sports/outdoors/volunteer-float-stockers-needed-to-spread-the-trout-across-lancaster/article_90bdb91c-9746-11e3-9bb7-0017a43b2370.html
Float Stocked Sections of Stocked Trout Waters in Lancaster Co.
| Stocked Trout Water | Section |
| Big Beaver Creek | Downstream From 20 Main St. New Providence To 1930 Beaver Valley Pike- Downstream From Concrete Bridge At Near Old Rd & Beaver Valley Pike – Downstream From 92 Refton Road – Downstream From Smithville Road Bridge |
| Conowingo | Downstream From Black Bear Road – Downstream From Swift Road Bridge – Downstream From 2108 Robert Fulton Hwy. To Sr 222 Bridge – Downstream From Bridge At Goat Hill Rd. To Sr 222 Bridge |
| Fishing Creek | Downstream From Drumore Park To Slate Hill Road |
| Hammer Creek – Sect. #2 | Downstream From Bridge At Michters Road – |
| Hammer Creek – Sect. #4 | Downstream From Snavely’s Mill To Proximity Of 405 Snavely Mill Road |
| Hammer Creek – Sect. #6 | Downstream From Near 1310 Pine Hill Road |
| Little Beaver Creek | Downstream From 302 Hilltop Road To Childrens Clinic At Bunker Hill Rd. |
| Little Chiques Creek | Downstream From Mt. Pleasant Road Bridge – Downstream From Cove Outlook Park |
| Little Conestoga Creek | Downstream From Miller/Buch Rd. Bridge – Downstream From Ppl [Upstream Section To Manheim Pk] Downstream From Ppl To Flory Mill |
| Pequea Creek | Downstream From Mt. Vernon Rd. Bridge – Downstream From 5762 Buena Vista Dr. To 897 – Downstream From Buena Vista Bridge To Mt. Vernon Rd. |
| Stewart Run | Downstream From Woods At Stuart Run Road To Theodore A. Parker Iii Natural Area. |
| Swarr Run | Downstream From Ye Old Mill Rd [Dead End] To Gold’s Gym |
| W. Br. Little Conestoga | Downstream From L.A.S.A. Pumping Station To Letort Road Bridge – Downstream From (Letort Road) To Near Owl Bridge Rd. |
| *W. Br. Octoraro Creek – Sect. #2 | Downstream From 95 Hollow Rd. – Downstream From Herr Farm – Downstream From Upper Creek Bend At Black Rock Rd. |
| W. Br. Octoraro Creek – Sect.#3 Fly Fishing Only | Downstream From Sr 472 Bridge – Downstream From Confluence W/Stewart Run –
Downstream From Street Road |
| W. Br. Octoraro Creek – Sect. #4 | Downstream From 785 Wesley Road (Walk-In Only) To Noble Road Bridge |
* West Branch Octoraro Creek at Pumping Station Road lands belonging to the PA American Water Company: The section of water downstream of the Run-of-the River Dam was not stocked pre-season. It is anticipated that it will be stocked in-season on April 21, contingent with coordination of a volunteer float-stocking team. Schmidt cautioned that anglers should be aware of the safety signage in place at the dam and comply, Anglers observed to be wade fishing within 50 feet of the dam, or on the dam itself are subject to being cited.
Safety Reminder for Boating Anglers: Anglers who may opt to cast a line from a boat on Muddy Run Lake are reminded that Mandatory PFD Wear regulations remain in effect until April 30 for all boats under 16 feet, and all canoes and kayaks regardless of length.
Posted Property Advisory
Little Beaver Creek: Sunday Fishing is restricted on Little Beaver Creek and the stream section is marked with posters identifying this. This lawful restriction will be enforced.
Big Beaver Creek: No Sunday Fishing is in effect at 1930 Beaver Valley Pike.