Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Anglers are reporting some Largemouth Bass are hitting on top water baits close to dusk on Lake Arthur near Pleasant Valley. Walleye fishing continues to be good. Bouncing/jigging a night crawler off of the roadbeds with a slow troll or while wind-drifting has been successful day or night. With colder temperatures, the Channel Catfish will be hunting for food. A night crawler or minnow off the bottom from most of the lake’s major access points have been a good bet.
Neshannock Creek
Anglers are reporting a number of stocked trout still being caught out of the Neshannock Creek located near Volant in the Delayed Harvest section. Smallmouth Bass are still hitting well on the Neshannock Creek near Papermill Bridge.
Harbar Acres Lake (SGL 95)
The PFBC will be stocking this lake with trout on 10/26. Anglers are reminded that the fall limit is 3 trout.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers continue to report nice Bluegills and Yellow Perch.
Upper Clarion River
Anglers are reporting some Walleyes and a few Smallmouth Bass. All boats, including canoes & kayaks using the PFBC’s Gravel Lick Access Areas must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Piney Dam
Piney Dam continues to be in a drawdown state and is approximately 6’ below normal pool levels. Anglers are reporting a few Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass. All boats, including canoes & kayaks, using the PFBC’s Mill Creek Access Area must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Allegheny River
Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass are being reported near the Parker islands and the mouth of the Clarion River. All boats, including canoes & kayaks, using the PFBC’s Parker & Brady’s Bend Access Areas must be registered or have a launch permit to use these facilities.
Redbank Creek
Some Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass are being reported.
Crawford County
Conneaut Lake
Recreational boating is ending and the fishing is picking up.
Canadohta Lake
Winter drawdown is expected to begin Nov. 5th.
Woodcock Creek Lake
Winter drawdown is expected to begin mid-Oct.
Western Erie County
Lake Erie
Fishing in Western Erie County is solid in the lake at the moment. Steelhead are just beginning to run into the tributaries. We need some rain and cooler temperatures and it will pick up. Steelhead anglers trolling are doing very well in the first trench and just outside the mouth of Walnut Creek and Trout Run. Anglers are still catching Walleye in about 60 feet of water. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch as well between 40 and 60 feet. For water conditions call Walnut Creek Access at (814) 833-2464.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
The water levels are dropping in preparation for winter pool. With the cooler temperatures, fishing is heating up. White Bass and White Bass/Striper Hybrids are being caught around the lake. Channel and Flathead Catfish are being caught also. Keep in mind that there is mandatory wear for all canoes and kayaks and boats under 16 feet in length while boating on the US Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District waters. Summer is over but there is a lot of boating that will still be available until the ice forms.
Shenango River
A reminder that the outflow of the dam to the Walnut Street Bridge is designated as a year round trout fishery, which means that a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish the area regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting.
Northeastern Region
Northern Wayne County
The leaves are turning and the Smallmouth Bass and walleye are hitting at Duck Harbor Pond and Prompton Dam. Medium size shiners are doing the trick along with jigs. Crappie and perch are being taken at Long Pond while fishing nightwalkers on the bottom.
Stocking Change: The trout stocking that was scheduled for November 3rd for Long Pond and Upper Woods Pond has been changed to December 7th.
Monroe County
Private lake anglers are still finding luck bass fishing. Cold nights have put a damper on early morning fishing but by noon the water has heated up and the bass are feeding. Top water strikes on lures seem to be working best right now.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
In preparation for scheduled maintenance, Brookfield Energy has dropped the water level on Lake Wallenpaupack considerably. Structures normally under several feet of water will now be exposed and boaters should exercise extreme caution when navigating shallow cove areas or unfamiliar waters.
Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Many area waterways have received fall trout stockings this past week. You can access the list for these stockings on the Fish and Boat Commission’s website here: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Please check the schedule and come out to assist in future stocking as we would love to have you come out and see what we are stocking for you. If you do decide to assist with a stocking make sure to dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. There is no better way to get to know a stream that is new to you than to attend one of our stockings.
Please remember that the normal Trout Stocked Waters are under extended season regulation for creel limit. This means that you are limited to keeping 3 trout per day. Harveys Creek is managed as a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area from Jackson Road downstream to Pavlick Road. You can find details on regulations for this area here: http://fishandboat.com/fishpub/summary/delayedartificial.html.
Anglers are reminded that they cannot possess natural bait of any type while fishing in a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area.
Wyoming County
Fishing conditions are good in Wyoming County. Scheduled in-season trout stockings have occurred on schedule and streams are in good shape. The Susquehanna River is fishing good for smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish. In addition to the trout fishing in Lake Winola, bass anglers have reported success and there have also been some pretty nice blue gills caught there as well.
Northcentral Region
Although water conditions are not ideal, anglers are catching fish and enjoying the colors of the season!
Tioga County
Water levels across the County are low; however, water temperatures are dropping. With lower water temperatures, trout fishing is in full swing!
Anglers are having mixed success on lakes, but fish are being caught. With cooler temperatures, musky are on the move!
Cowanesque Lake
Anglers are catching bass near rock piles, drop-offs and weed beds using crankbaits. Natural baitfish patterns are working well at the lower end of the lake where the water is clear.
The water is very low at the west end of the lake. Anglers fishing this area are catching fish near brush piles and stumps. A few bass are being caught in the weed beds using brush hogs and 4” senkos.
A couple of bass are being caught in the late afternoon using top-water techniques.
Anglers are catching musky near the shores of the campground and the Army Corp’s boat launch near the dam.
A few musky have been spotted at the spillway. A few were caught using black bucktails with a silver blade.
Hammond and Tioga Lakes
Over the last few weeks, the water level and clarity has decreased. This has slowed down the panfish bite, but anglers are still catching them.
Anglers are catching bass using top-water techniques and various crankbaits. Natural baitfish baits that can reach depths of 8-12 feet are providing the most success for anglers.
Although the panfish bite is spotty, anglers are catching Yellow Perch by drifting pieces of nightcrawler or jigging near brush piles. A few Crappie are being caught using live minnows.
Hills Creek
Weeds and lily pads have died back, making it easier to fish. Anglers are catching bass using spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits.
Crappie and Bluegill are being caught using live minnows. Nice size Crappie are being caught using crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Tioga Spillway
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass and Walleye using live minnows.
Pine Creek
(Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only) – Over the last few days, tan caddis and a few stoneflies have been hatching.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. beadhead prince nymph; beadhead pheasant tail; green weenie) and streamers (e.g. black wooly buggers and black nose dace patterns). A few anglers are catching trout at night, using mouse patterns.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water conditions are low and clear. Remember to approach your favourite fishing spot(s) with stealth. Trout are easily spooked in low water conditions.
Small streamer patterns and nymph patterns are working in the morning to mid-afternoon hours. Anglers are catching trout in the late afternoon hours using adult midge patterns (#22-26) on the surface. A few tan caddis are hatching in the early to mid-evening hours.
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water conditions are low and clear. Anglers fishing nymphs (e.g. green weenie; pheasant tail; walt’s worm; olive scud) are having the most success. A few trout are being caught using terrestrials (e.g. ants, beetles).
The best time to fish is early morning and late afternoon or early evening. Use stealth when approaching your favourite fishing spot(s). Have patience and fish each location thoroughly.
Lower Spring Creek has a bit more water. Anglers, fishing lower Spring Creek, are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. beadhead pheasant tail; beadhead prince nymph; green weenie) and dry flies (e.g.beetles, ants and caddis).
Southeastern Region
N. Bucks County
Delaware River
Little to no rainfall over the late summer and early fall have kept the river low. Anglers that are still wading for Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes should use caution as water temps are dropping. Even with a warm October day, water temps can be cold, and an unexpected submersion is a whole different scenario than in the summer. Consider wearing a Personal Floatation Device if you enjoy wading the Delaware in the fall.
The fall bite is on at Nockamixon. Anglers are reporting that catfish are very active at dusk in the shallow inlets. Bass are in their autumn patterns and are around the remaining weed lines. Rubber or weedless lures are still the ticket.
S. Chester County
If you have been waiting for your big break into Bass Tournament Fishing, this may be it. Captain Jim is having a Bass Open Tournament at the Octoraro Reservoir on Sunday, October 16th from 7:30am until 1:30pm, (6 Hours). The physical address for the Fishing Headquarters is 212 Spruce Grove Road, Kirkwood, PA. 17536. For more information: jimsbait.net. Only fishing from boats is permitted with a limit of two persons per boat.
The West Caln Sportsmen’s Club has received its allocation of about 4000 fingerling trout which originate from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. The fingerling trout are raised in the West Caln Sportsmen’s Club Trout Nursery which is located in Hibernia County Park by club members. The Club has been actively involved in the local stocking of the West Branch Brandywine Creek and each spring the club stocks 4500+ Trout in the stream. The club also provides trophy size fish for a Handicap Fishing Rodeo. These trout are provided solely through contributions and help from local business and individual trout sponsorships. The club is located at 1271 Telegraph Road. For more information: wcsportsmen.org
Philadelphia
