Northwest Region
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Kahle Lake continues to be in a drawdown state and is approximately 5 feet below normal pool levels. Anglers continue to report nice Bluegills and some Yellow Perch.
Beaver Creek Ponds Project
Panfish and some Largemouth Bass are being reported.
Upper Clarion River
Anglers are reporting good numbers of 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 catching Channel Catfish at night, 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
Good numbers of Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass are being reported the entire length of the river from Emlenton to East Brady. Channel Catfish continue to be caught after dark. 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 really nice Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass have been reported in the lower sections.
Erie County
Area Tributaries
Steelhead are starting to run into the tributaries. Walnut Creek and 20 Mile Creek have had the most fish so far. With the upcoming rain and cooler temperatures, more fish will be moving into the other streams. Various methods work but without much rain, the water is very clear and the fish are skittish. There are also reports of Pink Salmon and King Salmon being caught in the streams.
Lake Erie
Steelhead are also being caught on the lake, trolling crankbaits. Yellow Perch fishing seems to be picking up on the west side of Lake Erie in 50 to 60 feet of water. Lake Erie’s water temperature is 69°F. For current Lake Erie conditions, call Northeast Marina at 814-725-8244.
Lake LeBoeuf
Inland, the cooler temperatures should get the Muskellunge and Northern Pike moving in Lake LeBoeuf. Remember that Lake LeBoeuf is slow-no wake on the entire body of water.
Lake Pleasant
Trout have been caught from shore at Lake Pleasant. They are being caught the old fashion way, night crawlers and bobbers.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Water levels have increased making for improved fishing and navigation. Anglers have been successful for trout near the confluence of Tubbs Run and the Allegheny River. Walleye, Northern Pike, and Musky fishing should be productive from mid-October until the winter freeze.
Tionesta Lake
Anglers have been productive trolling for Musky.
Clarion River
Trout and Smallmouth Bass fishing should pick up in September and October. The Clarion River in Cooksburg is an excellent place to observe the fall colors while on a canoe or kayak. Please remember to have on board or wear a life jacket. From November 1st through April 30th it is mandatory to wear life jacket while onboard a canoe, kayak or boat less than 16 feet in length.
Salmon Creek
Anglers have reported observing and catching trout from the confluence with the branch, downstream to the confluence with Tionesta Creek.
Ross Run
Trout have been observed in the Children Only fishing area on Ross Run below the jack dams.
Venango County
Allegheny River
The USGS depth gage in Franklin reflects a current water level of +/- 03’-08”. Daytime and nighttime water temperature fluctuates between 62°and 64° F, which is an average drop of 9° F since last report period. Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and the occasional Muskellunge as well as Channel Catfish have been reported.
French Creek
Some Smallmouth Bass catches, of various sizes, have been reported; baits of choice are tubes and jigs. Additionally, Walleye catches have been reported; hellgrammites, if available, have been the top producer. The USGS depth gage in Utica reflects a current water level of +/-02’-07”, which is a 10” increase since last report period. Canoeists and kayakers will not experience flow difficulties at this level, and no portaging is expected.
Oil Creek
Fishing activity has been minimal, however, the lower Delayed Harvest (Petroleum Center Bridge downstream to the Columbia Farm railroad bridge) is scheduled to receive its fall trout stocking on October 3, 2016. The USGS depth gage in Rouseville reflects a current water level of +/- 3’-00”. Canoeists and kayakers will not experience flow difficulties at this level and no portaging is expected.
Kahle Lake
During September, Yellow Perch and Bluegill were the top reported catches.
MANDATORY PFD (LIFE-JACKET) WEAR EFFECTIVE AS OF NOVEMBER 1st: During the period of November 1st through April 30th, ALL BOATERS are required to wear a life jacket, at all times, while on watercraft less than 16 feet in length or ANY canoe or kayak.
Northcentral Region
Potter County
Trout streams are low, but they are cooling down, providing some success for trout anglers.
Boating traffic has significantly slowed down due to cool temperatures and low water.
BOAT SAFETY NOTE – Some of the lakes are approximately 2 ¼ feet below normal level. These levels still provide good boating opportunities; however, boaters must stay alert for structures and shoals in order to avoid a collision.
Tioga, Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes
Anglers are catching bass using tubes, plastics and crankbaits. Most of the bass are being caught suspended in deep water, just off of the shallows.
Anglers are also catching Musky, Walleye and Catfish on Cowanesque Lake.
Lyman Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch; Crappie and other panfish using small jigs, flies and live bait. Anglers are also catching trout using jigs, flies and live bait.
Bass fishing on Lyman has been steady. Bass are being caught using tubes, plastics and live bait.
Tioga County
Pine Creek
The recent rain event did not improve water levels significantly; however, the water temperature is in the low to mid 60s.
Anglers are catching Fallfish, Smallmouth Bass and trout using small streamers and nymphs. Surface activity has been minimal.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Even with the rain event this past weekend, the water is still low and clear. The water temperature is in the upper 50’s. More rain is predicted for this weekend, so be prepared to fish low or high water conditions.
Anglers are catching trout in the early morning and late evening hours using small nymphs (e.g. dark stone flies; prince nymph; pheasant tail nymph).
Trout are rising in the late evening hours to caddis, terrestrials and a few Blue Wing Olives. Patterns that are working include: tan caddis; blue wing olives; midges.
If the water levels begin to rise, make sure you have a few streamer patterns and/or worm patterns on hand.
Centre County
Spring Creek
The recent rain event had little impact on Spring Creek’s water levels; however, fishing is good! The current water temperature is in the upper 50’s.
Anglers are catching trout using a variety of dry fly and/or nymph patterns (e.g. tan caddis; midges; blue wing olives; green weenie; pheasant tail nymph; walt’s worm).
The best time to be on the water is early morning and late evening. Be patient and fish your favourite runs/holes thoroughly.
Bring along some small streamers and/or worm patterns to fish during or just after rain events!