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
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are reporting Walleyes are slow at the spillway but they are making their way in.
March 1st: New crappie regulations on Pymatuning Reservoir
Please keep in mind that Pymatuning Reservoir is now under a new crappie regulation starting March 1st. Black or White Crappie must be a minimum of 9 inches in length and the limit is 20. For more information please consult this press release: http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/fish-and-Boat-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=113
Central Erie County
East and West Basin Ponds on Presque Isle State Park
Any stocked trout water is closed to fishing from March 1 until the first day of statewide trout season. ***New on the list for 2017 is the East and West Basin Ponds***
Eastern Erie County
Eastern Steelhead Streams
Anglers are catching Steelhead in 16 Mile. The other eastern Erie Steelhead streams are slow. The PFBC hatcheries are starting to put Steelhead smolt in the streams. If you catch one, let it go as soon as possible.
Lake Pleasant
Any stocked trout water is closed to fishing from March 1 until the first day of statewide trout season. ***New on the list for 2017 is Lake Pleasant***
Northeast Marina
Northeast Marina is under new management in 2017, but everything will go on as normal at the facility. Docks go in April 15 and the restaurant is shooting for an April 1st opening date.
Western Erie County
Walnut Creek
Anglers are catching Steelhead on Walnut Creek near the mouth on small Emerald Shiners and rubber minnows.
Elk Creek
Elk Creek seems to be the hot spot especially above Route 98.
Crooked Creek
Some anglers are still catching Steelhead on Crooked Creek and down in Albion on Temple Creek near the Albion Fairgrounds.
Fairview Gravel Pit
Any stocked trout water is closed to fishing from March 1 until the first day of statewide trout season. ***New on that list for 2017 is Fairview Gravel Pit***
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching crappies and panfish in the stumps area north of the I-79 Bridge.
All NW Region Counties
Approved Trout Waters
All approved trout waters are closed to all fishing from March 1 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season. For information on trout stocking please visit the following website: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Northeasatern Region
Anglers are reminded that Stocked Trout Waters are closed from March 1st until the Regional Opening Day of Trout or the Regular Opening Day of Trout season. Anglers should consult the PA Fishing Summary booklet on the Trout waters that are included in the Regional Opening Day of Trout and the Regular Opening Day of Trout Season.
Those interested in assisting the Commission with our trout stocking program need to check our website for dates, times and meeting locations. Also, remember to dress for the weather. Wear sturdy footwear and only do what you feel is safe for you to do while at a stocking. Helping stock is great way to have fun and give back to the resource.
The trout stocking list is organized by county and can be found at: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
Many of the ponds and lakes in the district are open with maybe a light skim of ice left in cove areas. The ice is NOT SAFE to venture out on. The Delaware River is running high but the walleye were biting in the area of the Zane Gray PFBC Access area where the Lackawaxen River dumps in. The water temperatures are still cold and need to be respected. If you are going to venture out in a boat remember PFD’s are to be worn by law until April 30th on all boats under 16 feet including all canoes and kayaks, but be smart and wear it even if you are not required. Trout season will soon be here and many districts are starting to stock trout in the waters of the Commonwealth. There is NO FISHING in Stocked Trout Waters until the opening day on April 15th.
Lackawanna County
Lackawanna River
The Lackawanna River is slightly elevated but the flow is perfect for fishing. Consult your fishing summary book to know which part of the river is open to fishing and what regulations govern the river.
Recent warm weather has deteriorated ice conditions across the county. There is no safe ice in the district. All of the Pennsylvania American water company reservoirs that are open to public are now free of ice and open to shoreline fishing.
Susquehanna County
On Saturday February 18, 2017 this group of young ladies (Elizabeth Lathrop, Bridget Bendock, Mae Adams, Kelsey Brown, Emma Weidow and Lindsay Coy) from Montrose High was out ice fishing on a private pond near Hallstead. Each set, baited and caught Largemouth Bass and Black Crappies through the afternoon. Congratulations on the catches!
Northcentral Region
REMINDER – February 28th was the last day to fish STOCKED TROUT WATERS until opening day of trout. Check out the regulation here – http://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/troutwaters.html
Tioga County
The ice is gone, but open water fishing is kicking off!
Hamilton, Beechwood, and Lyman Lakes
These lakes are open to year-round fishing, but you cannot harvest trout until April 15th.
Anglers are catching and releasing trout on each of the lakes listed above. Baits that are working are pastebaits, wax worms and minnows.
Pine Creek
Anglers are catching trout using streamers (e.g. size 6-10 olive, black colors) and nymphs (e.g. green weenies, green mop flies, black stonefly, micro golden stonefly).
The trout are holding tight to the stream bottom. Be sure to take your time in the deep pools.
Before you step in the water, make a few casts right along the bank, you might be surprised what you find!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is up and a little off color. The water temperature is in the upper 30s, low 40s. Rain is predicted over the next few days, so be prepared for the water conditions to change.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. beadhead prince #12-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18). Anglers are also catching a few trout using olive/black streamers size 6-10.
In the early morning to mid-afternoon hours, trout are hanging tight to the bottom. Fish your lucky areas slow and be patient.
A few anglers are seeing midges and small numbers of bluewing olives hatching in the later afternoon hours. Make sure you stash a few fish dry flies in your box (e.g. midges size 22-26, Bluewing Olives size 18-22).
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are catching trout from Milesburg to Sayers Lake. A variety of baits and spinners are working.
REMINDER – Stocked Trout Waterways are closed to fishing until the opening day of trout, April 15th. Refer to your Summary Guide for details on this regulation.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie near the Hunter Run Cut area. Live minnows and small, rubber jigs, under a bobber are working best.
Anglers are fishing the slow pockets of water, below the spillway. With the scheduled flood control releases, panfish numbers are high in the area below the dam. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie using small jigs with rubber bodies, under a float. Minnows are also working well!
Spring Creek
The water temperature is in the low 40s. Rain is predicted over the next few days, so come prepared for changing water levels and clarity.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. sowbug, hot spot sow bug, scuds, walt’s worm, black zebra midge,green weenie, caddis larvae patterns).
Bring your streamers along, as the water level rises, the streamer game will turn on! Anglers are catching trout using olive and/or black streamer patterns #6-10.
Anglers are catching trout in Spring Creek Canyon and 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
The Fly Fishing Show returns to the Lancaster County Convention Center on Saturday, March 4 [9:00 a.m. – 5:30] and Sunday, March 5 [9:00 – 4:30]. Scouts under 16 in uniform are admitted free of charge. The PFBC will have an exhibit with many of our popular and informative complimentary publications. Additionally, PA Fishing Licenses will be available for purchase. The Lancaster County District Waterways Conservation Officer will be staffing the exhibit on both days, and will be available to highlight local trout fishing opportunities, specifically on the County’s two Special Regulation Waters; Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only West Branch Octoraro Creek and the Donegal Creek. Bring the family out and learn more about the 2017 Mentored Youth Trout Days and the County’s and Commonwealth’s many trout fishing opportunities. The show is well attended and well presented, including casting demonstrations and fly- tying with notables Bob Clouser and Joe Humphreys. Check it out at flyfishingshow.com
The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will be screened on Saturday, March 4 at 6:00PM. For show ticket purchase and complete event information, go to: flyfishingshow.com/lancaster-pa/
Chester County
The White Clay Fly Fishers Club will offer free fly-tying demonstrations and hands on lessons at the Judge Morris Estate at the Delaware White Clay Creek State Park on March 6 and 13 starting at 7 PM. Here in the Southeast, the “Regional Opening Day” is April 1, just around the corner really and so this would be a great way to spend the day getting ready for the big day and taking in all that the White Clay Creek State Parks have (PA and DE) to offer. For more information on the Delaware portion of our White Clay Creek State Park, you can go to the web at >http://www.destateparks.com/park/white-clay-creek/index.asp
The White Clay Fly-Tying club will meet at 6PM on Thursday March 2nd at the London Tract Meeting House in the White Clay Creek Preserve, located at the intersection of Sharpless & London Tract roads, Landenberg PA 19350, next to White Clay State Park Office. This group meets within a half mile of the “Trophy Select Trout Stretch of the DHALO” and is very familiar with the stream and can give you advice on best stretches and even help you tie the fly they are having the best luck with. Fly tying materials are provided for those who do not yet have their own. Several flies are usually demonstrated and club members are happy to show you how it’s done, as well as spin a few stories about the last huge one that got away. Club mailing address is P.O. Box 762, Landenberg, PA 19350 for more information. Parking for club is behind the White Clay State Park Office.
The White Clay Middle Branch Section 2, Delayed Harvest Artificial lures Only Section, from Good Hope Rd Bridge to Guernsey Rd, and the Pocopson Creek, Section 2 will be stocked with trout on Thursday, March 9. We will meet the big white truck at the Avondale Post Office at noon. This is the “Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters” stocking. Come on out and help us stock these trophy sized beauties. I will have stocking lists available to hand out for my district. Thanks
The Orvis Store in Downingtown at 70 Quarry Rd, Downingtown Pa. 19335 will offer a free course fly-tying 101 on Saturday, March 11 from 9AM until 11AM. 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 orvis.com/downingtown