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.
Butler County
Harbor Acres Lake (SGL 95)
The lake was stocked in late-October with Brown Trout. Anglers can take 3 trout with a valid trout/salmon permit. Fishing has been steady with reports of nice sized fish.
Lake Arthur
Channel Catfish fishing has picked up with winter/first ice approaching. Most anglers report success with night crawlers off the bottom.
Glade Run Lake (PFBC property)
This lake is being refilled, but has not yet been re-stocked with fish. It has been recently re-opened to the public. All PFBC regulations apply. Please review regulations posted at various locations on the property.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegills, Yellow Perch, and some nice crappies.
Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching some Yellow Perch and Walleyes.
Piney Dam
Piney Dam continues to be in a drawdown state and is approximately 6 feet below normal pool levels. Anglers are catching some Yellow Perch and Walleyes.
Allegheny River
Walleyes are being reported from Emlenton to East Brady. A few Muskellunge have been caught in the East Brady area.
Crawford County
Woodcock Creek Lake
Anglers are catching several Walleye on Woodcock Creek Lake. The lake has been drawn down to winter pool levels.
Canadohta Lake
Anglers are catching a few Largemouth Bass and several panfish. The lake has been drawn down to winter pool levels. Reminder: all boats moored at PFBC access areas must be removed by Dec. 1st.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Ice fishing is right around the corner. Before the heavy freeze, there are still opportunities for shore fishing. Enjoy them while the weather is still above freezing.
Shenango River
The Shenango Outflow down to the Walnut Street Bridge was stocked with trout in early October. A 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.
Northeasatern Region
All anglers across the state need to be aware that deer rifle season has started and runs until Saturday, December 10th. If you are using Pennsylvania State Game Lands you are required to wear fluorescent orange, even if you are not hunting, until December 15th. While non-hunters are not required to wear fluorescent orange besides SGLs, wearing fluorescent orange while fishing is recommended during hunting season. A hat and vest will do the trick, to make sure hunters can clearly see you. Good luck and be safe!
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 Northern Luzerne Counties
If you head over to Harveys Lake over the coming months things might look a little bit different. In an effort to reduce the impacts to the lake and receiving waters the Fish and Boat Commission will be allowing the installation of a new storm water management system. This construction should start around December 6th and continue until the project is completed. The access area will still be open for those needing to access the lake and when the project is complete there will be no loss of capacity.
With the recent snow and more snow in the forecast this is hopefully a good sign for hard water anglers. Remember, safety first! Check your gear, replace your line and wear a PFD during your forays onto the ice. Bring along creepers, ide awls and ideally bring a buddy with you. If you have to fish alone on the ice make sure someone knows where you are and when you expect to return. And then call and let them know you are safe and how you did!
Southern Luzerne and Southern Columbia County
With most people replacing fishing gear with hunting and trapping equipment, pressure throughout the area has been light. However, those who have been out on the water are finding tremendous success.
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River has been giving up some fantastic Smallmouth Bass, especially out of the Union and Wapwallopen pools, as fish feed heavily prior to winter. Soft plastics and hard lipped crankbaits are working the best.
Lily Lake
Lily Lake continues to produce panfish and Largemouth Bass with live bait being the most successful lure.
DHALO Section of the Nescopeck Creek
The DHALO Section of the Nescopeck Creek has been red hot! Those fishing the DHALO have had tremendous success with nymphs. Nymphs replicating cased caddis and scuds have produced the best.
River from Francis E. Walter Reservoir to Sandy Run
The Lehigh River from Francis E. Walter Reservoir to Sandy Run is now Approved Trout Waters Open to Year Round Fishing. Make sure to get out and enjoy the fishing before the full force of winter returns.
As hunting season comes to a close, anglers will begin preparing for the ice fishing season. Prepare not only your fishing gear, but safety equipment as well. Ice picks, ropes, cleats/crampons, etc. Anglers are again reminded; the PFBC does NOT monitor and report ice conditions. Therefore, let common sense be your guide; Wait for safe ice, don’t fish alone, and carry the necessary safety equipment. This includes the necessary equipment/clothing to stay warm to prevent such issues as hypothermia and frostbite.
Susquehanna County
Upper Woods Pond and Long Pond
Upper Woods Pond and Long Pond have recently been stocked with adult trout. Make sure to get out and enjoy the fresh fish!
Wyoming County
Susquehanna River
With recent dips in temperatures, and hunting season in progress, fishing activity has slowed significantly. There have been few anglers who are targeting walleye, with limited success, in the Susquehanna River. River levels have risen recently but keep an eye out for debris as the higher water after a long period of low water can set shoreline debris adrift.
Northcentral Region
YUM!! The holidays are a great time to share moments and good food with family and friends. With a fishing license, you can provide unique and tasty dishes for your guests.
Head out and get your fishing license, catch a few fish and serve one of these tasty dishes at your next holiday gathering!
REMINDER – Your 2017 Fishing license can be purchased online now. You can get either a 1, 3, 5 or 10 year fishing license!
REMINDER – The Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement runs from November 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. LEARN MORE HERE.
Tioga County
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching trout using mealworms, waxworms and paste baits. Many of the trout are holding in the upper end of the lake by the boat launch.
Hills Creek & Tioga Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using live minnows.
Clinton/Lycoming County
Fishing Creek
Water conditions remain low and clear. Current rain events should increase the water level and provide better fishing conditions.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. gold bead pheasant tail size #12-18; olive or green caddis larvae patterns sizes #12-18).
Olive or black streamer patterns, sizes 6-10 are working in deep pools, next to logs and streambanks.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Musky and bass in deep holes and runs. White or olive streamer patterns are working for bass. Sucker patterns are working for Musky.
Remember, be patient and switch up your retrieve and/or patterns until you find what is working. The fish are there!
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
It is time for winter draw down of the lake. Currently the water is approximately 5 feet below normal pool.
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using worms on the bottom, near deep pools. Anglers are also catching Crappie using jigs near habitat structures placed by PFBC. Live minnows are also working.
Find habitat structures to fish using the PFBC Foster Joseph Sayers Lake Habitat Structure Map.
Spring Creek
Water temperatures are in the upper 40s. The water is currently clear, but that will change over the next few days as rain rolls through the region.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. walt’s worm size #12-16; olive scud size #14-18; bead head pheasant tail size #14-18; black zebra midge #18-22).
Anglers are also catching trout using small streamers (e.g. size 6-10; olive or black colors) and spinners on lower Spring Creek.
Union/Snyder/Norhumberland/Montour Counties
Susquehanna River (Sunbury and further south)
Anglers are catching Walleye using live minnows.
REMINDER – Stay out of the exclusion zones near dams on the river.
Southeastern Region
S. Montgomery County/W. Philadelphia County
With the cooler weather coming in, there has been a reduction in angling and boating activity throughout the district. Anglers willing to brave the cold and sometimes rainy weather have been catching catfish using everything from chicken livers to french fries. Panfish, Common Carp and crappies have also been reported biting primarily on artificial lures, with carp taking homemade dough baits. The most successful anglers seem to be fishing the Delaware River and tidal Schuylkill River, but some experienced anglers have reported catching bass in the deeper pools of the non-tidal Schuylkill River, as well as small lakes within the district such as FDR Park and Concourse Lake in Philadelphia.
Boaters using small craft are reminded of the November 1 to April 30 cold water mandatory wear period, requiring life vests to be worn at all times while on the water in vessels less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks.