Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Stripers are still being caught near shore in the early morning hours. The best bait to use has been dead alewife. Slow trolling or wind drifting over the road beds with a night crawler has been producing some nice Channel Catfish and Walleye.
Crawford County
French Creek
Low water levels have not deterred use as weekends have been busy with floats.
Conneaut Lake
Bass fishing has been steady and boat usage has been busy with the hot and dry weather.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers have been seeing steady pressure for Largemouth Bass and Walleye with good catch reports. Crappies are being caught as well.
Western Erie County
Anglers have been doing well catching Smallmouth Bass in Marina Lake as well as the bay. East and West Pier have been producing some decent sized Yellow Perch on shiners. Walleye are starting to pick up in the Lake. A few anglers have been doing well west of Walnut Creek. Northern Pike have been caught recently at Water Works area as well as Misery Bay.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Boaters should be cognoscente of the low water levels on the Allegheny River, especially jet motor operators.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Tionesta Lake has established a new Slow No Wake Zone, which now extends from the dam to the peninsula near the boat launch.
Tionesta Lake
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are tentatively scheduling a Boating Safety Class for mid to late August. The class will be conducted at the Tionesta Lake Visitors Center. Date and times will be posted at the Tionesta Lake marina and campgrounds.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Largemouth Bass and Walleye are being caught and panfish are plenty.
Northeastern Region
Southern Luzerne & Southern Columbia Counties
The fishing activity has been heating up in the area over the past few weeks along with the temperatures.
There are still plenty of trout left, even though the pressure has been light.
Wax worms have been the most effective bait on the Lehigh River. Anglers have been catching Brown Trout on the upper stretches where the River enters Frances E Walter Reservoir. The Reservoir has also been giving up some very nice Crappies, and Yellow Perch.
Lily Lake has been producing some very nice Crappies and Rainbow Trout, although most fish are being caught in deeper water. Pickerel and Bass are being found in the shallow weeds towards the back of the lake.
The mighty Susquehanna has once again proven its worth, as anglers are catching everything from Catfish, to Walleye to Smallmouth Bass. Reports have also been good on the muskies, for those willing to throw the big plugs all day. Although, soft plastics, crankbaits and hellgrammites continue to dominate the marble eyes and smallies,
Boaters are again reminded of the wake regulations, as well as horsepower restrictions on Lily Lake. There are also horsepower restrictions in effect on Frances E Walter Reservoir. Please be aware of the regulations for particular waterways on which you are boating.
Boaters should consider attending a boating safety course, if they have not taken one previously. A Basic Boating Course will be held on September 10, 2016 at Nescopeck State Park. There is no cost for the class, but pre-registration is required
Northern Luzerne & Northern Columbia Counties
The Susquehanna River has been producing a lot of Smallmouth Bass, although many have been undersized. Anglers have been catching bass on everything from buzz baits, stick baits to top-water plugs.
Briar Creek Lake has been giving up some nice Rainbow Trout to anglers casting spoons towards the area of the control tower by the dam.
Not much has been going on for fishermen at Harveys Lake. Anglers targeting bass are having mixed success with wacky and drop shot presentations.
The Commission has been stocking fingerling bass at Lake Jean (Ricketts Glen State Park) as our agency continues to monitor the lakes progress following last year’s drawdown.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
With streams being low, clear and warm, trout fishing throughout the county is slow. Anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymphs, sizes 16 – 20, large streamer patterns at night, spinners, and live bait (e.g. red worms, red fins and hellgrammites).
Anglers are catching bass in lakes across the county. Morning fishing is slow, but evening fishing is great! Creature baits, senkos, squarebill crankbaits and various jigs are working on all of the local lakes. A few 6lb bass were caught recently by anglers trolling with night crawler harnesses and stickbaits.
Most of the bass are being caught in or near weed beds and around timber piles/fallen trees. Working jigs and plastics through the weeds or running shallow crankbaits/squarebills over the weeds is working well.
Upper Pine Creek
The stream is nearing “all-time lows”. It is very low, clear and warm. Trout are trying to survive by seeking deep pools and/or cooler water.
Bass fishing has picked up! Anglers are catching lots of Smallmouth Bass using poppers, small streamers, crayfish patterns, spinners and various live baits. Small poppers in the evening are also working well.
Hammond Lake
Anglers are catching large numbers of Yellow Perch, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Crappie and Smallmouth Bass. One angler caught and released an 18” Smallmouth Bass. Most of the anglers are catching fish using a variety of streamer patterns, corn, poppers, crank baits and live minnows.
A few of the catfish being caught weighed in at 22lbs. Most of the catfish being caught are much smaller, but at least ½ dozen were 30inches or more. Chicken livers, stink bait, cut bait and night crawlers are all working. Most of the catfish are being caught late afternoon and evening. A few anglers are catching Bullhead Catfish.
REMINDER – Make sure you have your fishing license and consult your fishing summary booklet regarding rules and regulations for the water you fish.
Hills Creek Lake
The lake has lots of weeds; however, anglers are catching Crappie, Yellow Perch, Sunfish and a few Walleye along the weed edge. Night crawlers and minnows are working best.
Drifting or trolling in the morning or evening is working well. A few anglers are catching bass and a variety of panfish in and around the weed beds.
Potter County
Even with recent rain events, streams across the county remain low and clear. Anglers are catching trout at the mouth of cold, feeder streams. Fishing the riffles during the day and pools at dusk has been productive for most anglers.
If the county gets rain later this week, it should increase fish activity and fishing success.
Elk County
East Branch Dam
Due to construction, the US Army Corp of Engineers has extended the “Exclusion Zone” further out from the breast of the dam. This will prevent boats from getting too close to construction equipment.
In addition, boaters and anglers need to be mindful of increased traffic. Workers will be using heavy equipment and smaller vehicles (e.g. ATV’s) during the construction.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Low, clear water means anglers need to use stealth when approaching favorite fishing locations.
Anglers are catching trout using small, lightweight nymphs (e.g. bead head pheasant tail; bead head green weenie; bead head prince nymph, dark stone flies) throughout the day. When trout are rising, early morning and late evening, use dry flies (e.g. tan caddis, light cahill, midges, blue wing olives).
On sunny days, target shade lines and deep pools with lots of cover.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Carp, Yellow Perch and Smallmouth Bass between Lock Haven and Jersey Shore.
Poppers, crank baits and spinners are working well for Smallmouth Bass. Worms and crayfish are working well for Carp. Yellow Perch are taking worms and minnows.
Centre County
Colyer Lake
A few boaters have been enjoying the lake.
REMINDERS:
Paddlers must have a boat registration or launch permit to use Colyer Lake.
A current boat registration is required to moor your boat at Colyer Lake.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Boating traffic has been moderate with all access areas being used.
Anglers are catching Crappie near the causeway. Minnows and small twister tails seem to be working best. Anglers are also catching Channel Catfish near upper and lower greens run area. Chicken livers are the bait of choice.
Bass are also being caught near submerged road beds around the lake. Crank baits and poppers are working well.
Black Moshannon Lake
A few kayakers and canoers were out over the weekend.
Anglers are catching bass and pickerel using weed-less rigs.
Bald Eagle Creek
Upper Bald Eagle is low, clear and warm.
Stream conditions, below Milesburg, are a little better with the help of Spring Creek flows. Anglers are catching trout using spinners and nymphs in the pools. Anglers are also catching carp using a variety of nymphs and baits.
Penns Creek
Anglers are still catching trout using small, lightweight nymphs (e.g. pheasant tail; prince nymphs, hares ear, dark stoneflies, green weenies) throughout the day.
Blue quill mayflies are hatching and trout are actively eating them, when they are present.
Trout are rising in the early morning and late evening. When fish are rising use dry flies (e.g. tan caddis, isonychia, light cahill, midges, blue wing olives).
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is fishing steady. Most of the trout are staying subsurface. Tricos are on! Anglers are catching trout using Trico mayflies in the morning hours.
Anglers are catching trout using small nymphs throughout the day (e.g. pheasant tail, bead head Frenchie, black zebra midge larvae, walt’s worm, sow bugs, green weenie).
Terrestrials are also working (e.g. ants, beetles).
Keep an eye on water levels and temperatures here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01546500
Snyder/Union/West Northumberland County
Susquehanna River (Sunbury Fiber Dam)
Anglers are catching bass using soft plastics, minnows, grubs and tubes. Catfish are also being caught.
Large baits and/or lures are catching large bass. This area is a “high pressure” fishing area, so don’t be afraid to switch up your choice of baits/lures to catch more fish.
Southeastern Region
Anglers are reminded to check their 2016 Pennsylvania Summary Book for current seasons, sizes and creel limits. Be sure to check the Summary Book, especially if you head to a new lake, river or stream since some waterways may have special regulations for which you may not be aware. An online version of the 2016 Summary Book can also be found on the Commission’s website at this link: http://fishinpa.com
There should still be plenty of trout left on waterways throughout the region. Fishing for these trout might be more challenging, especially if the waterway is warming up and becoming lower and clearer. Anglers will need to be patient and stealthy. Try cover along shady banks, deeper pools or stream sections were cool springs enter the waterway. Trout may congregate in these spots for relief from warmer water temperatures and to stay out of the summer sun. Fish the early morning or late evening hours to improve your chances at hooking into fish.
Anglers should consider trying some top-water fishing for bass and panfish, if the trout fishing proves to be too challenging. Use fly fishing gear to deliver small poppers for sunfish around pond edges. Or try a spin or bait casting combo to deliver a surface plug along weedy edge areas of a lake.
Eastern Berks & Northern Montgomery Counties
Schuylkill River
Anglers on the Schuylkill River are reporting nice size Smallmouth Bass around the Pottstown Area and Limerick Area. The Bass in this area mainly feed on crayfish so try using similar baits. Carp and Catfish are also being caught in this area late at night. Trinley Park along Trinley Mill Road has access to this section of the river as well as Pottstown Riverfront Park which has adequate parking and a trail along the water that stretches ½ mile.
Southern Chester County
Chambers Lake
Anglers have been having good success fishing for panfish at Chambers Lake.