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
Crawford County
French Creek
Anglers are catching a few Walleye and Northern Pike near the mouth of Conneauttee Creek when not covered with ice.
Woodcock Creek (below Woodcock Dam)
Anglers are catching some Walleye in this area. Reminder: Woodcock Creek (including dam outflow) is Stocked Trout Waters and is closed to ALL fishing beginning March 1st through 8 a.m. opening day of trout season.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are reporting great Walleye fishing around Mead Island area. Most of the good fishing starts at the island and continues down to the Starbrick Access area on the Allegheny River. The preferred bait for Walleye is jigs or some of the anglers are using a combo of a jig with a minnow. Please monitor the water conditions because with all the rain and snow we have had water levels have been high around the area.
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
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s prognostication of six more weeks of winter, the North Branch of the Susquehanna River is open and anglers that are brave enough to hit the water by boat are having good luck catching walleye, musky and even catching the occasional carp.
Northern Wayne County
The ice fishing activity varies throughout the district. There is less pressure in the south due to questionable conditions. In the northern portion there is a lot of activity. Perch are hitting at Belmont Lake. The successful anglers are jigging with wax worms or meal worms. An occasional perch, pickerel, bass and walleye are falling prey to fat heads and small to medium shiners. Pickerel are hitting at Duck Harbor Pond on tip ups. Crappie have been active at Long Pond.
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.
Reminder- Regulation Change
Cloe Lake (Jefferson County); Bradford Reservoir #3(McKean County); Lyman Lake (Potter County) – Based on the small size of the 3 lakes listed above and the angling pressure they receive, they are no longer being regulated as “Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing”.
Each of the lakes are now being regulated as “Stocked Trout Waters”. This means that they will be closed from March 1 to Opening Day of trout. The regulation includes the use of bait traps.
Potter County
Stream fishing has been slow, but anglers who venture out, are catching trout using small spinners and streamer patterns.
Lyman Lake
Last week, ice anglers were catching panfish and trout using jigs with live bait; however, recent temperatures and rain have impacted ice safety.
Tioga County
Recent warm weather and rain has increased water levels in the lakes, causing ice to pull away from the banks. Cold weather is expected to return over the next few days which should help tighten the ice back up. Remember to check ice conditions prior to venturing out!
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are ice fishing and catching lots of Bluegill and Yellow Perch. Bait of choice is jigs with waxworms.
Hamilton Lake
Due to recent rain and warm temperatures the ice has pulled away from the banks. With cold temperatures returning over the next few days, the ice should tighten back up by the weekend.
Over 35 teams competed in the Mansfield University Fisheries and Aquaculture’s Ice Fishing tournament on February 4th! Lots of Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Crappie and a few trout were caught using jigs with waxworms.
Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna Rive
Anglers are catching Walleye and Musky. Target deep water near banks or sand/gravel bars that has lots of cover. Live minnows, large streamers and lures are working best.
Rose Valley Lake
With recent weather changes, ice conditions are unsafe. Over this past weekend anglers were catching panfish and pickerel through the ice.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water flow is better than it has been. The water is a little off color.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. prince #12-16; beadhead pheasant tail #12-18). Anglers are also catching a few trout using olive/black streamers size 6-10.
Trout are hanging tight to the bottom. Fish your favourite areas slow and be patient.
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek (Milesburg – Sayers Lake)
Anglers are catching trout using spinners, nymphs and minnows.
Black Moshannon Lake
Anglers are catching panfish and bass using tip-ups baited with shiners for bass and pickerel. Anglers, jigging in the channel with maggots/waxworms, are catching Yellow Perch and Sunfish. Boat launch #2 seems to be the popular location for ice fishing.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
With changing weather, current ice fishing conditions are unsafe. There is ice cover on the Hunter Run Cut Area and East/West Launch Cove; however, the rain and warm weather has made the edges weak.
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. sowbugs, scuds, walt’s worm, black zebra midge,green weenie). Anglers are also catching trout using olive and/or black streamer patterns #6-10.
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 on the stretch between High Street/Lamb Street bridges.
Southeastern Region
S. Bucks County
It’s a new year, so be sure to pick up a copy of the 2017 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary guide anywhere fishing licenses are sold and familiarize yourself with the regulations for your regular fishing spots. Anglers have been pulling in White Perch and Rainbow Trout at Lake Luxembourg from both the Ellis Road and Woodbourne Road access, and the 24 hour lot dock using trout magnets, a variety of paste baits, and worms. Small Crappies and sunfish have been caught at Levittown Lake.
Don’t forget to check the fishandboat.com website for trout stocking times and locations. If you would like to assist in the trout stockings, please show up at the meeting location at least an hour early.
N. Berks County/W. Schuylkill County
“When does ice fishing season start?” Unfortunately, in Western Schuylkill/Northern Berks Counties it hasn’t yet. There has been little to no safe ice in the district this winter; however, the open water has provided opportunities, especially at Blue Marsh Lake for some good late season fishing. For those willing to brave the elements, crappie and bass anglers have been experiencing success at Blue Marsh, as well as some limited success at other lakes throughout the district. Keep in mind that while there may not be ice, the water is still cold and you need to adjust your fishing technique accordingly to be successful.
Trout season closes February 28 and stocking begins March 1 for the upcoming season. If anyone is aware of any problems with access or posting, or any areas where landowners might be amenable to allowing trout fishing on their property, please forward that information to the Southeast Region Office so that we can check on them before trout stocking starts.
For waters in the Regional Opening Day Program (which includes Western Schuylkill and Northern Berks) Mentored Youth Trout Day will be March 25 and opening day for all anglers will be April 1. Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will be April 8 and opening day will be April 15.
A PFBC Basic Boating Course is scheduled for February 25 from 8:00AM to 4:30PM at the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse. Pre-register by contacting Drew Kline at 570-527-2505. A Boating Safety Education Certificate is required for all persons born on or after January 1, 1982 to operate a motorboat greater than 25 horsepower, and for all operators of Personal Watercraft (PWCs, commonly referred to as jet skis) regardless of age.
Just a reminder, the cold weather mandatory life jacket wear period is in effect and remains so until April 30. All persons on all boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks are required to be wearing a life jacket at all times.
S. Chester County
The Orvis Store in Downingtown at 70 Quarry Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335 will offer a free course Fly-Tying 101 on Saturday, February 11 from 10AM to noon. The course will cover everything that the beginning fly fisherman will need to know to get started in tying. Spring is almost here, take advantage of this opportunity to learn the art of fly tying. For more information you can call the store at 610-873-8400 or visit the website at www.orvis.com/downingtown
The next meeting of the Atglen Sportsmen’s Club will be on February 14 starting at 7PM. Meetings are held at the Atglen Sportsmen’s Club Clubhouse which is located along Creek Road, in Atglen, PA. 19310. To get directions to the club click on http://www.atglensportsmensclub.org/directions.asp. For more information you can send an email to Bob Butler atglenmembership@gmail.com. For more information on the club you can check out the website at
http://www.atglensportsmensclub.org/index.asp .
A Basic Boating Course will be held on Saturday February 11th at the Ranger Station at Springton Manor Farms, from 8:00AM 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 operates 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. Pre-registration is required at adesko@pa.gov More information is on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL
A Basic Boating Course will be held on Wednesday & Thursday, February 15 and 16 at the Ranger Station at Springton Manor Farm at 860 Springton Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343, from 3:00PM to 7:00PM. This is a two evening course, and you must attend both evenings to get credit. 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. Pre-registration is required at adesko@pa.gov There is more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL
S. Montgomery County/W. Philadelphia
With the continued winter weather, fishing and boating activity remains at a minimum in the district. Anglers that are out are reporting limited success fishing carp using homemade dough baits and the occasional bass using lures. Boaters are reminded of the cold weather mandatory PFD wear requirement, which remains in effect until April 30.
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.
Northampton County
In the Trophy Trout Section of the Saucon Creek, anglers are working hard to be rewarded with some larger Brown Trout. There are plenty of great undercut banks, and tree roots hanging out into the water, to float a fly over. The water color is slightly darker than normal but still good clarity and there is good flow. Despite all of these factors that make it seem favorable, anglers have not been met with much success. They have used both light and dark colored nymphs and have also tried some wooly buggers, but can’t manage to land many trout. However, it’s still a great time to get outside and enjoy these great conditions without much competition from others!
Philadelphia County
This year please join us in the Philadelphia Area for the Youth Mentored Fishing Day. On March 25, 2017 all approved trout waters will be open to Youth Mentored Fishing from 8AM through 7PM. To participate, anglers 16 years of age or older (adult anglers) must possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and current trout/salmon permit and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who has obtained a Mentored Youth fishing permit or Voluntary Youth fishing license from the Commission. Please be advised that although all approved trout waters will be open for fishing, only select waters will be stacked by that date. Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding the waters that will be stocked prior to that date.
* In the Philadelphia/SE Montgomery Co area, the Philadelphia section of the Wissahckon Creek and Loch Alsh Reservoir will both be stocked before March 25th. *
The adult trout stocking schedule is now on the PA Fish and Boat Commission Website. Please look up the dates for stocking in your favorite stream by county. The Waterways Conservation Officers and the Fish Culturist that stock these stream really depend on the anglers to come out and assist with the stockings. We appreciate any and all help.