Reminder To All Anglers & Boaters
The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across a body of water. Use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall through the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: fishandboat.com
Northwest Region
Forest County
Allegheny River
Anglers have been able to launch boats from the Sand and Gravel Launch with the recent snow removal from the launch. Walleye and Muskellunge fishing has been productive from the shore and from boats. Anglers can also access the Sand and Gravel Island from the parking area near the Lighthouse and walk to the Allegheny River or Tionesta Creek. A 13 pound Walleye was weighed and measured at the Tionesta Hatchery that was caught from the Sand and Gravel Launch.
Tionesta Outflow
Anglers have been successful fishing from the wall for Yellow Perch, Walleye and Musky. Anglers are reminded that they must have purchased a Trout Permit to fish in the Tionesta Outflow, regardless of fishing for or keeping trout.
Tionesta Lake
Ice has started to form but is not yet safe to walk on. Four inches of clear ice is recommended for individual travel upon ice. People walking on ice covered bodies of water should wear a PFD, carry ice awls, and walk/fish with a partner.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
For the first few weeks of 2017, weather has been cold and then warm. There has been some ice fishing activity on the lake but not a lot. Be safe and make sure to drill test holes and carry ice awls.
Northeasatern Region
Southern Luzerne & Southern Colombia Counties
There is a PA Basic Boating Class, scheduled to be held at Nescopeck State Park, February 04, 2017. The class starts at 8:00am, and pre-registration is required; See the website for more information.
With the recent cold spell that has come through, angling and boating on the Susquehanna River and other open water has been non- existent.
This cold spell has started to get local anglers ready for ice fishing. Ice anglers that have ventured out are reporting success targeting crappies and perch at Francis E. Walter Reservoir. Most success has been found jigging wax worms with a small ice jig. There has not been fishable ice across most of the region otherwise. However, with this past weeks frigid temperatures, expect that to change.
Anglers are urged to review the ice safety information available on the website, and to ensure they have appropriate safety equipment at all times. Remember, ice conditions are not monitored! It is your responsibility to protect yourself.
It is certainly not too early to begin thinking about trout season. Preliminary stocking schedules for the district are being reviewed, and will be available in the near future.
Northern Pike & Southern Wayne Counties
Many of the lakes and ponds in the district are covered with ice. This means that ice fishing is starting to get underway here in the Northeast. Of those fishermen I have talked to and checked the pan fish and pickerel seem to be what is being caught the most. Please be sure to check the ice thickness before venturing out onto the lakes. Some places are good with six inches or more but some are only at two to three with open water in some cases. It is suggested that you wear some type of a PFD or float coat for your safety. As always have fun but come home.
Southern Wayne, Pike & Northern Monroe Counties
The recent cold snap has created ice thick enough to fish on smaller, shallower ponds and impoundments throughout the district and anglers are having good success catching perch, crappie and bluegills using a variety of natural baits.
Monroe County
The amount of ice anglers are increasing with every cold night with temperatures dipping into the single digits. So far action has been rather slow though with catches being very light.
Activity at Francis Walter Dam has been increasing, especially on the weekends. Be careful at this location because water levels fluctuate underneath the ice.
Western Bradford and Sullivan County
Despite recent rainfall, snow melt and fluctuating river levels the walleye activity has been picking up on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. Anglers fishing from boat are reporting swim baits are particularly effective.
Wyoming County
Fluctuating weather conditions have made a challenge for ice fishermen this winter. Area lakes have frozen for a second time this year, but weather forecasters claim the next couple weeks will be above normal temperatures. There have been a few ice fishermen out over the past few days and all those that have ventured out have found some success.
Don’t take unnecessary chances if the weather forecasts prove true and conditions become unsafe. Rain, added to warm temperatures can melt existing ice, and there has yet to be a fish worth the risk of falling through the ice.
There has been a lot of ice floating down the Susquehanna River, but expect that to clear quickly in warmer temperatures and winter fishermen may find opportunities there.
Carbon County
Ice anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake near the vicinity of Boat Launch B have reported catching bass, pickerel and perch. One angler reported catching a seventeen inch Largemouth Bass and a fifteen inch perch. The bass was taken by using a tip-up and the perch was caught while jigging. As with most waterways, the ice conditions are not monitored at Mauch Chunk Lake.
Before venturing out on to the ice make sure to check the ice conditions. The ice may not be the same thickness all over. Avoid dark, honeycombed or porous ice areas and areas with multiple pressure cracks, brush, logs or docks. Always take a partner along and let others know where you are going and when you will return. Know how to dress for the cold and wear a personal flotation vest or have a throwable personal flotation device (seat cushion) in case of an emergency. It is also a good practice to carry a set of ice awls to pull yourself up onto the ice in the event you fall through.
The water level at Beltzville Lake still remains low with open water on most of the lake.
Little to no fishing activity is occurring on the Lehigh River or the other streams in the district. As we are now in the 2017 fishing season, please be sure (anglers 16 years of age or older) to have your valid 2017 PA Fishing License and trout/salmon permit (if required).
Northcentral Region
Remember to purchase your fishing license for 2017 OR buy a 10 year license! BUY YOUR LICENSE TODAY.
SAFETY REMINDER – If there is ice in your area and you plan on heading out to ice fish, always check the ice before going on it. Learn more about ice safety and fishing HERE.
Tioga County
Beechwood Lake
Anglers are catching panfish using waxworms. Glow, pink, blue, silver and chartreuse jig colors are working well.
Hamilton Lake
At this time, Hamilton Lake is providing the most consistent fishing. Anglers are catching a variety of panfish using waxworms. A few anglers are also catching trout.
Live, Fathead Minnows and Shiners are working well for bass and pickerel.
Hills Creek Lake
Currently, there is a lot of ice fishing pressure at Hills Creek. This has resulted in a few slow fishing days. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and other panfish using waxworms.
Anglers are also catching bass and pickerel using live Fathead Minnows and Shiners.
Hammond Lake
At this time the lake is fishable. Anglers are catching bass, Crappie and Yellow Perch.
NOTE – Hammond Lake is a flood control reservoir. This makes ice conditions unpredictable after rain events. Depending on the weather over the next few days, Hammond, might not be fishable this weekend.
Always check ice conditions prior to going out on the ice!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is low, clear and cold. Fishing is slow, but dedicated anglers are catching a few willing trout. Nymphs (e.g. prince #12-16; beadhead pheasant tail #12-18) and un-weighted, olive streamers (size 6-10) are working best.
Centre County
Penns Creek
The water is low, clear and cold. Anglers are catching a few trout in the deep holes/runs, near woody debris, large boulders and streambanks.
Nymphs (e.g. beadhead prince #8-12; pheasant tail #14-20; caddis larva #12-16; rubber leg stonefly nymph #6-10) and sculpin patterns (size 4-10) are providing the most success.
Spend some time in your favourite areas. Switch up your retrieve and see what happens!
Spring Creek
Upper Spring Creek is low. Lower Spring Creek has more flow and is fishing well. The water temperature is in the low 40s with some color.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. sowbugs, scuds, green weenie). Anglers are also catching trout using olive and/or black streamer patterns #6-10.
On warmer days, anglers are seeing trout rise to midges and scattered Bluewing Olive Mayflies.
Anglers are catching trout on lower Spring Creek using streamers (e.g. size 6-10; olive or black colors) and spinners. The best time to be on the water is late morning or mid-afternoon.
Southeastern Region
Remember: From November 1 through April 30, 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.
People who wear a personal flotation device when exposed to cold water have potentially life-saving advantages such as insulation from the cold and buoyancy for those who are unable to tread water including the reduced risk of aspiration of water.
Chester County
Southern Bucks County
Anglers are still pulling trout from Lake Luxembourg and Levittown Lake using a variety of lures and baits, including spinners and worms. Construction equipment remains in place at the PFBC Yardley Access to build a new bird habitat on an island in the Delaware River; however, the access is still open to public boating and fishing during lulls in construction.
Southern Chester County
With the variable temperatures lately, there will be many opportunities to get out and catch fish. If you do not have fishing equipment, you can borrow it from Hibernia County Park. In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and the park, the park has been selected as a designated fishing equipment loaner site. The park has a number of Pennsylvania Fish & Boat trained fishing instructors as well, to help you decide where to go and what to use to help you. The park has two bodies of water; one is the West Branch of Brandywine Creek, a Stocked Trout Water, which winds its way through rapids and boulders in the upper part of the park into wider, deeper and slower pools in the center of the park. The second is Chambers Lake, a roughly 90 acre warm water impoundment that holds catfish, sunfish, crappie, musky, pickerel, and Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Right now both bodies of water are free of ice. You can call 610-383-3812 for more information on the fishing equipment loaner program.
Time is running out to sign up for a Basic Boating Course that will be held on Saturday, January 21 at Hibernia County Park Mansion at 1 Park Road in Coatesville, from 7:30AM to 5PM. Boating Safety Education Certificates are required for all operators of personal watercraft, regardless of age, and for boat operators born after January 1, 1982 that operate motorboats of more than 25 horsepower. This free PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) course is designed to help boaters make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide course materials and information via a classroom setting to help you reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Those who successfully complete the course may obtain this certificate, which is good for a lifetime (fees apply). A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction is required to pass the course. Participants should bring a lunch and snacks. There will be a few other classes in Chester County in February. There will be a one day class on the 11th, at Springton Park Ranger Station, and two, 2 day classes on the 15 and 16 (also at Springton Manor) and the 22 and 23 at Hibernia. The two day courses are late afternoon courses. Pre-registration is required at adesko@pa.gov You can also get more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL