Northwest Region
Reminder to all Anglers & Boaters: November 1st was the start of mandatory wear period for life jackets on all boats under 16 feet in length and in all canoes and kayaks. If you use an inflatable type PFD, keep in mind inflatable life jackets are not capable of working when the temperature is below 40° so don’t put your life at risk.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Fishing is starting to pick up with the colder temperatures. Anglers are catching Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, White Bass, and Hybrid Striped Bass.
Shenango River
reminder that this area is designated as a year round trout fishery, so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish that area regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting. Plenty of fishing opportunities are still available. The creel limit for trout this time of year is 3 trout.
Central Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
Many anglers are catching some nice Yellow Perch in the bay during the fall.
Steelhead Tributaries
Steelhead numbers at the moment are down but there’s still some in the creeks. Once it rains or snows, it should bring in another run of fresh fish.
Western Erie County
Steelhead Tributaries
Steelhead fishing is in full swing in Western Erie County. Walnut Creek has Steelhead up to the falls. Steelhead are being caught all the way to interstate 79 and anglers have been doing well. Crooked Creek above the nursery waters also had a decent run of late. Anglers are reporting Elk Creek is the hot spot especially north of Rt. 98.
Mouth of Trout Run
Anglers have been doing well fishing spoons at the mouth of trout run. Green and Silver spoons seem to be the hot item. Anglers fishing the lake have been doing better early morning and after dark.
Northeasatern Region
Remember! From November 1st through April 30th there is mandatory wear for life jackets from on boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks. Wearing your life jacket is the best way to prevent a boating fatality and we recommend you wear one all year, not just during the mandatory wear period.
Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
The exceptionally mild weather has kept both boaters and anglers on the water. Fishing on area lakes and ponds has recently been very hit or miss. Anglers have been finding success targeting Smallmouth Bass on the Susquehanna River. The occasional walleye has been landed as well.
Area streams should not be looked over either. Though they have been flowing low for some time, recent rains have brought levels up and the cooldown has turned things on for trout fishermen as of late. If you plan to practice catch and release please use barbless hooks or pinch down the barbs. Pinching the board not only reduces damage to the fish and make release easier but it also leads to more hook-ups per bite. Less metal to push through the jaw!
Northern Wayne County
The few anglers that are still fishing are being handsomely rewarded. Walleye and Smallmouth bass are active on Prompton Dam and Duck Harbor Pond. Medium size shiners drifted slowly are doing the trick. Large channel catfish are being reported on the Delaware River using shiners in at least 50 feet of water on a slow drift.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
The Lackawaxen River is a great place to fish right now! The trout are held up in the big pools and the water temps are holding in the sixties. Other lakes and ponds are still providing great fishing for panfish and pickerel. Lake Wallenpaupack dam repairs will soon be finished and the water levels will be coming back to normal.
Northcentral Region
WINTER TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULES – Look for a trout stream near you!
REMEMBER – Brown Trout are spawning. Their nests, known as “redds”, are usually found in loose gravel found on the stream bottom. You can usually identify the “redds” by looking for “clean gravel” areas. Make sure you look before you step and take care not to fish over spawning trout. Their eggs are the future trout population of the stream you are fishing!
Tioga County
Cowanesque Lake
The lake is off color. Anglers are catching bass using crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using live minnows and waxworms.
Bass are active. Anglers are catching bass using jerkbaits and crankbaits.
Tioga Lake and Tioga Spillway
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and bass. Waxworms are working well for the Yellow Perch and crankbaits are working for bass.
Clinton/Lycoming County
Fishing Creek
The water is low and clear. Trout are being caught using nymphs (e.g. small mayfly or stonefly nymphs; caddis fly larvae patterns). Cast your flies in deep pools and/or near structure (e.g. rocks, logs, etc.).
Anglers are catching trout using small streamers in deep pools and/or near streambanks.
West Branch
Anglers are catching bass using jerkbaits, streamer patterns and crankbaits. The bass are holding at the bottom of deep pools. Make sure you are getting down to them.
The cool temperatures have Musky on the move! Anglers are catching Musky using large streamer patterns and lures.
Centre County
Spring Creek
The water is clear, low and in the upper 40s. Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. walt’s worms, green weenie, sow bugs, black zebra midge).
Anglers are also catching trout using small streamers (e.g. size 6-10; olive or black colors) and spinners are lower Spring Creek.
Southeastern Region
The 2017 PA Fishing Licenses go on sale December 1. License gift vouchers can be purchased at license agents and online at the Outdoor Shop! Avoid some of the Black Friday shopping crowds, and get the gift that will let them fish throughout the year.
Berks County/N. Montgomery County
Antietam Lake
The winter trout stocking took place Wed., Nov. 16. The weather was great for fishing, the trout looked great, and the water was a perfect 54 degrees. With the current construction at Antietam Lake, the parking is limited but there are plenty of spots. The main parking lot is closed. The best place to park would be the pull off on Antietam Rd. Please respect the construction workers and stay out of their marked work areas.
Deep Creek Lake
Montgomery County’s Deep Creek Lake was also stocked from the same truck. The trout came from Huntsdale Hatchery and couldn’t have looked better. Keep in mind we are in the extended trout season with the daily creel limit of 3 fish.
Lehigh County
Leaser Lake
Muskellunge are still being caught at the lake. Anglers are using brightly colored spoons and large bucktail spinners.