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
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Ice fisherman are catching a ton of crappie and Bluegill using mostly minnows. Some larger crappie were caught across from the 528 Boat Launch. A couple anglers are catching Channel Catfish through the ice as well.
Crawford County
Sugar Lake
Anglers are catching a few small panfish on Sugar Lake. Meal worms or wax worms on a jig seem to be the baits of choice.
Canadohta Lake
Anglers are catching some panfish, Yellow Perch, and crappie. Jigs tipped with minnows, meal worms, or wax worms seem to be the best bait to use for these panfish.
French Creek
French Creek has been mostly high but at times fishable. Anglers are catching several nice size Walleye throughout the Crawford County stretch of French Creek.
Lawrence County
Bessemer Lake
Anglers are catching stocked trout and Largemouth Bass through the ice using minnows and maggots.
Warren County
Chapman Lake
Come to Warren County January 20th to the 22nd from 9am to 4pm for the Warren County Winterfest held at Chapman State Park. Bring the whole family for a variety of winter outdoor activities to enjoy. Anglers plan ahead for the ice fishing and read up on ice safety tips.
Northeasatern Region
Southern Luzerne & Southern Colombia Counties
Colder temperatures last week had anglers finding anywhere from 4” to 8” of ice across the district. The recent warm up though could deteriorate the ice quickly though, so make sure to use caution when venturing out on the ice. That said, most ice fishing activity seems to be focused on FEW Reservoir and Lily Lake with anglers having success with panfish on both. If we get more cold weather though and good ice is able to develop expect the activity to pick up on The Ice Lakes in Rice Township and Nuangola Lake.
One final note, the last report incorrectly listed February 04, 2017 as a date for a Basic Boating Course at Nescopeck State Park. That was incorrect; the correct date is March 04, 2017. February 04, 2017 is actually the date, of DCNR’s Winterfest. The Fish and Boat Commission will be on hand, doing ice safety/ice fishing instruction and demonstration. For those uninitiated to the sport of hard water fishing, come on out, and give it a try.
Northern Columbia & Northern Luzerne Counties
Area ice fishermen have been having some success targeting panfish. Evening seems to be the best time to catch fish prowling for a meal with some anglers doing their best after the sun has set and well into the night. Grubs, of all kinds, used to sweeten an ice jig are the best go to lure. If fishing after the sun goes down you should consider glow in the dark jigs to better get the attention of the fish you are targeting.
Harveys Lake is still without fishable ice but other lakes are ready to go. Remember if you are fishing Lake Jean in Rickett’s Glen State Park that the Catch and Release regulations applies to all fish and will be in place for the next few years. We need to give this great fishery a chance to recover following the dewatering that took place to make necessary repairs to the dam and control tower.
Carbon County
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 and Western Lycoming County
Beechwood Lake
Fishing has been hit or miss for many anglers this season; however, anglers who are willing to change locations are having luck.
Anglers are catching stocked trout using green paste baits, wax worms and medium shiners on tip-ups. The trout are hanging just under the ice surface.
REMINDER – Beechwood Lake is a PFBC owned lake and has specific regulations for the property. Make sure you review the property regulations before venturing out to fish.
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegills and Rock Bass near the water pump building. The successful bait is waxworms on pink and white jig heads. The fish are being found 1-2 feet off of the lake bottom.
Anglers are also catching stocked trout approximately 1-3 feet under the ice using waxworms and small, gold spoons.
Pine Creek (Blackwell to Waterville)
The new year rang in with cold temperatures making Pine Creek inaccessible due to ice accumulation. With recent rain events, warmer temperatures and snowmelt, Pine Creek’s water levels have elevated.
The elevated water levels busted out the ice and the stream is now accessible; however, if you choose to fish Pine Creek make sure you keep an eye on the water levels.
Anglers are staying on the banks to target trout. In the Catch and Release Section, anglers are catching trout approximately 10 feet off of the shore. Large streamer patterns, crank baits, spinners and medium sized shiners fished on a minnow rig are working best.
If you choose to fish more areas of Pine Creek from a drift boat or raft make sure you and your passengers are wearing your life vests.
Slate and Cedar Run
Due to early snowfall and snowmobile traffic, access to both Slate and Cedar Run is challenging. Use caution if you venture up the icy roads.
Water levels are slightly above normal. Anglers are catching trout in near structure (e.g. rocks, logs, banks). Nymphs are working best (e.g. midge larvae; hares ear; blue wing olive nymphs; stone fly nymphs). Medium sized streamer patterns are also working well.
With warm weather over the last few days, anglers might see trout feeding on the surface. If you are looking for dry fly fishing in the winter, fish Slate and Cedar during the warmer parts of the day. Small midge patterns might work well.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is still low, clear and cold. Fishing is slow, but dedicated anglers are catching a few willing trout. Nymphs (e.g. orange egg patterns; prince #12-16; beadhead pheasant tail #12-18) and un-weighted, olive streamers (size 6-10) are working best.
Centre County
Black Moshannon Lake
Ice anglers are catching bass, Yellow Perch, Crappie and Bluegill. Fish near the weedy edges using jigs.
Tip-ups, baited with shiners, and fished approximately 6 inches – 1 foot off are also working well.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are ice fishing at the Hunter Run Cut area and the East/West Launch Coves. Anglers are catching Crappie, Yellow Perch and Bluegills using jigs tipped with waxworms.
REGULATION CHANGE – As of January 1, 2017 the regulations now allow anglers to harvest up to 10 Crappie; however, no more than 5 Crappie may exceed 9 inches.
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. orange egg patterns; 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), spinners, worms and waxworms. The best time to be on the water is late morning or mid-afternoon.
Southeastern Region
Can’t wait for some warm weather and the opening of the Early Trout Season? Then consider attending what is said to be one of the largest Fly Fishing Shows in the U.S. on January 27-29 at the Garden State Exhibit Convention Center, Somerset, New Jersey. The show provides opportunities to attend classes, see presentations, view exhibits, and see what 100s of vendors have to offer and get a jump on getting all you’re got to have gear while making the spring thaw seem not quite so far away. For more information you can visit the website at http://flyfishingshow.com/somerset-nj/
The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will be held on January 27 starting at 6:30PM, at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey, you can more information on the web at http://flyfishingshow.com/somerset-nj/ and in Lancaster Pa on Saturday March 4th starting at 6PM at the Lancaster County Convention Center. You can get more information on the website at http://flyfishingshow.com/lancaster-pa/
Berks County
Ice fishing has commenced on Lake Ontelaunee. Take a look at where Peter’s Creek flows into the lake. There is a mix of open water and ice, and precautions need to be taken with ice safety. Bass fishing is pretty good (try some plastic worms and jigs, allowing them to fall before working them). The crappie fishing is also starting to pick up.
Kaercher Creek Dam was stocked in December and there was a quick ice-over after the stocking, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch trout.
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. 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 though the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: http://fishandboat.com/safety.htm