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
Although fishing success has dropped considerably since ice off, catches of nice crappie caught over weed bed areas west of the Rt. 528 access have been reported. Try slow-trolling these areas with a white or brown bucktail jig.
Harbor Acres Lake (SGL 95) and PFBC Glade Run Lake (Middlesex Twp.)
As a reminder to anglers, these waters are designated as Trout Stocked Waters. Fishing is not permitted at these locations from March 1st until the opening day of trout season in April. Consult the 2017 Fishing Summary for more information.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Kahle Lake continues to be in a drawdown state. All boats, including canoes & kayaks 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. 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
Under an order by the Parker Police, the Parker access area is currently closed due to the high waters.
Eastern Erie County
Area Steelhead Streams
Steelhead are in the streams but they are sometimes tough to catch. They are spread out and have been in the streams for a while now. 16 Mile seems to be the best on the east side outside of the city of Erie. Anglers are catching Steelhead from the mouth to the sewage treatment plant off Mill Road. A lot of smaller Steelhead are being caught so make sure if you are keeping them, they are over 15 inches. Fly fisherman seem to do the best with nymphs or egg imitations.
Inland bodies of water
The inland bodies of water are not frozen so ice fishing is out. If you decide to take a boat under 16 feet in length, a canoe or kayak out on the water, it is mandatory to wear a personal floatation device at all times during the November 1 through April 30. This goes for hunters as well as fisherman or pleasure boaters.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Ice fishing has been non-existent except for a few brave souls that ventured out for the couple of days there was ice on the lake. The warm up in January not only melted the ice, but allowed shoreline anglers to enjoy fishing in January. There were also a couple of boats that ventured out and were successful in catching White Bass and crappie.
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. The creel limit for trout this time of year is 3. With the snow still flying, boating season is right around the corner, so check out www.fishandboat.com and register to take a Boaters Safety Course.
Northeasatern Region
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
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.
2017 Trout Stocking Schedule is here! Visit: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Monroe County
Delaware River has some die hard anglers out on the river this past week on boats despite the chilly temperature. All anglers were wearing a life jacket which is very important this time of the year as one false move without a life jacket on could be fatal in the water with temperatures hovering in high thirties.
Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Reports are coming in that the trout in Fishing Creek have been cooperating. Most of the action has been centered in the Benton area. Be aware that reduced creel limits apply in this extended season.
Ice fishing has taken a big hit in the district as ice conditions have deteriorated to a point where safety is of great concern. If you do plan on going out please take someone with you and wear a PFD. Ice fishermen are still at it at Lake Jean in Rickett’s Glen State Park but not much action has been reported. It is important to note that Lake Jean is still under Catch and Release regulation for ALL SPECIES. This should remain the case for several years as this fishery is given the chance to rebound following dewatering for needed repairs to the dam and related structures.
Southern Luzerne & Southern Columbia Counties
With the rain and mild weather the fishable ice that had existed within the district has dissipated. As of last week, there was no safe ice anywhere in the district. Hopefully, with colder temperatures that can change. Otherwise, it will be another disappointingly short ice fishing season this year.
That said, the milder weather has increased angler’s boating activity on the Susquehanna River. Most anglers on the river have been targeting walleye and muskie. Conditions are tough though with high discolored water. Anglers should try utilizing some sort of rattle, a series of glass or tungsten beads perhaps, in conjunction with a jig. Low and slow seems to be the ticket right now. Most activity has been taking place out of Union Access, as well as Bloomsburg.
Boaters looking to attend a Basic Boating Class are reminded, there is one scheduled at Nescopeck State Park on March 04, 2017. See the website for more details, and registration instructions.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
The area has been experiencing some warmer temps in the month of January which as degraded the ice conditions throughout the district. There are still a few smaller ponds which have fishable ice but for the most part the ice is not safe or the edges are open and you just can’t get out on it. A saying among avid ice fishermen is “If it is gray, stay away”. Good advice. Trout season is just around the corner, so be safe and wait.
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
The county received some snow over the last few days. Cold weather is expected to continue through this coming weekend. This should help “heal” or rebuild ice that was lost last week.
Beechwood and Hills Creek Lake
Currently, if you begin at the boat launch, the ice is weak for the first 5 feet from the bank. There is a lot of junk ice/frozen slush. A few anglers that made it out past the first 5 feet found better ice; however, you should always use caution before heading out on the ice.
Hills Creek Lake
Ice anglers are catching panfish. There are weak spots and areas with “junk” ice, so make sure you check ice before proceeding to your favorite locations.
Anglers were fishing, mostly off of the stumps end.
Hamilton Lake
Currently, access from the dam side seems to be the best location; however, there are weak areas in the ice. Be sure to check the ice before continuing your trek onto the ice.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Last week’s rain helped water flow. The water is currently a little off color.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. prince #12-16; beadhead pheasant tail #12-18) and on olive streamers (size 6-10).
Make sure you spend time in the slow water areas.
Clearfield County
Curwensville Dam
Anglers are catching Walleye using live bait, near the outflow of the dam.
Centre County
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 afternoons, anglers are seeing trout rise to midges.
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.
Anglers are also catching trout using worms and spinners in the town of Bellefonte, PA.
Southeastern Region
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
Berks County
Blue Marsh Lake
The lake is still mostly ice free and is providing a good open water opportunity. Crappies and Yellow Perch are being caught. You can try shore fishing in the vicinity of the Mt. Pleasant Bridge, otherwise you can still launch boats at Dry Brooks Boat Launch, State Hill Boat Launch or the Sheidy Boat Launch off of Route 183 (the water here is quite shallow though). Fish the structures and deadfalls that remain submerged in the winter pool.
Try your luck with some streamers or bead head nymphs on the Tulpehocken Creek in these mild winter temperatures.
Lake Ontelaunee
Lake Ontelaunee is still ice free due to the recent warm up. A few anglers are having luck fishing for Crappie along Route 73 at the bend after the bridge. Try using a few different brightly colored jigs.
S. Berks County/N. Montgomery County
Antietam Lake
For some great winter trout fishing, try out Antietam Lake in Berks County. Antietam Lake is stocked seasonally with trout by the PFBC. The park is undergoing some renovations so please respect the areas that are under construction and stay out of the areas that are cordoned off. Remember if you’re going to venture out on the ice, then be safe and know the proper thickness. Ice may not be the same thickness all over so use caution, and try to stay away from stickups like brush, plants, or logs as the ice will be less thick near debris. And remember to always let someone know where you are going ice fishing and how long you plan on being gone. With the varying temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately the Lake may thaw and refreeze a couple times this winter so make sure you are cautious before venturing out. Good Luck and Happy Fishing!
Bucks County
Nockamixon Lake
Anglers are taking advantage of the warmer weather and open water on Nockamixon Lake for winter fishing. Crappie and Bass have been targeted the most, around whatever structure the fish can access. Crappies have been taking jigs with live bait. Fish jigs and baits slow in the wintertime. Anglers are reminded that while fishing from boats less than 16 feet, and all canoes and kayaks regardless of length, you must by law wear a USCG approved personal flotation device from November 1st through April 30th.
Giving Pond Recreation Area
The Delaware Canal State Park’s Giving Pond Recreation Area is an overlooked panfish hotspot! There are a few areas along the shoreline where submerged timber can be accessed for crappie angling. This is also a great destination for kayak anglers willing to brave some cold weather. Wear your lifejacket and paddle new waters carefully. Electric motors are permitted on the 90-acre Giving Pond. Motorboats must display a current boat registration. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Chester County
The White Clay Flyfishers host quest speakers on fishing topics and provide educational classes for both fly tying and fishing. Meetings are held starting at 7 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, so the next meeting will be on February 21st. Meetings are held at the London Tract Baptist Meetinghouse at the intersection of Sharpless and London Tract Roads, Landenberg, PA. 19350, which is next to the White Clay Park Office. The Club is always looking for new members. For more information check out the website at whiteclayflyfishers.org
Tournaments: If you are holding a tournament in which 10 or more people will be involved, you are required to have applied for a special activities permit at least 60 days prior to the event, the permit form can be found at fishandboat.com and then once it has been granted, the permit will lists all the conditions, number of persons, boats, safety boats, culling, etc. Fishing tournaments may not target a species during the closed season. An accurate tournament catch report must be provided as required. Tagged fish tournaments in boundary waters also require a permit. The permit application can also be obtained from the Regional Law Enforcement Office in which you wish to hold the tournament. In Lancaster and Chester County that would be the Southeast Region, P.O. Box 9, Elm, PA 17521 or phone 717-626-0228 for more information.
Lehigh County
Little Lehigh
In the Fly-Fishing Only section of the Little Lehigh next to Queen City Trout Nursery, anglers are having success catching trout in deeper pools with assorted nymph and smaller streamers.
Eastern Schuylkill County
Locust Lake
Locust Lake has had inconsistent ice throughout the last few weeks, but when anglers got out on the ice they did very well. Good numbers of trout were caught on jigs tipped with wax worms near the beach area.
Tuscarora Lake
Tuscarora Lake has been tough for the ice anglers this year, but can be productive at times. Several trout have been caught near the boat cove and along the beach. Perch and crappies are also being caught on occasion near the dam breast. Pickerel fishing is good for those willing to walk up to the shallow end of the lake near the mouth of Locust Creek.
Large shiners have done well for Pickerel.
The Little Schuylkill River
The Little Schuylkill River is still a good place for open water trout fishing. Almost no fishing pressure and still a good number of fish throughout the stocked area of the stream.