Pictured above: Anglers are catching trout in the wild trout streams and special regulation areas.
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
Lawrence County
Neshannock Creek
A large number of anglers are catching stocked trout in the Delayed Harvest section of the Neshannock Creek. The trout are mostly being caught on any lure or jig that is chartreuse, but there were also some caught on wooly bugger flies and pink plastic worms.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
The Walleye action at the Linesville Spillway has picked up within the last week. Anglers are catching Walleye after dark by fishing the gravel points throughout the reservoir. Most of the Walleye being caught are of legal size with some short Walleye mixed in. Crappies and Yellow Perch fishing has picked up as well especially in the coves of the North End. A reminder to all anglers that a new crappie regulation went into effect on March 1, 2017, crappie must be a minimum of 9 inches in length and the daily creel limit is 20. Signs are posted around the lake.
Linesville State Fish Hatchery
“A Day at the Hatchery” will take place on Saturday April 1st from 11am until 3:30pm. This free annual open house is a great family event for all ages. Learn what it takes to produce a Walleye, talk with staff from other local conservation agencies, and talk with a biologist about your local lake system. Buy your 2017 PA fishing license to be ready for opening day.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass near Betts Park in Warren County. The area starts at Route 6 Bridge and continues through to the launch located in the park. Anglers are catching Bluegill on the Allegheny River around the railroad bridge by Oakland Drive to Pennsylvania Ave East Bridge.
Northeasatern Region
Upcoming Programs
Beltzville State Park will be hosting a Basic Boating Course on April 24th and April 26th. The course will be held from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm each night. There is no charge for the course. All participants must pre-register and must attend both sessions. A Boating Safety Education Certificate is required of all operators of personal watercraft (PWCs) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operate a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower. Persons interested in attending the course should call Beltzville State Park at 610-377-0045. Please remember that class space is limited and fill quickly.
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is providing a free Fly Fishing Introduction Program on Saturday, April 22 from 1p.m. to 5p.m. at Hillside Park in Lackawanna County. Preregistration is required! For more information and to preregister please visit: http://fbweb.pa.gov/calendar/Gridview.aspx?TN=family_fishing&DT=4/22/2017&ID=996A7472-A439-4253-9359-96F0EF0937AA&CAT=family_fishing&DAY=NODAY
Reminders and Legal Notices:
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
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.
Northern Colombia, Northern Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties
Trout stocking is in full swing and as always all of our officers appreciate any help you can give. If you do plan on coming to a stocking please make sure you dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. You can find all of the stockings listed on our website here: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Anglers are reminded that Trout Stocked Waters Open to Year Round Fishing regulations require you to immediately return unharmed to the water any trout that you catch from March 1st until trout season opens for that water. And ensure that all folks going out in boats less than 16′ wear a lifejacket AT ALL TIMES. Attention to these issues as well as making sure you purchased a license valid for this year will save you a lot of money if you happen to meet an officer on the water.
Monroe County
Trout season is almost here and anglers have been getting anxious past two weeks. The catch and release areas have had a bit of pressure these past two weeks despite the wide temperatures range the anglers have been doing very good.
Carbon County
On Saturday, March 25th the Regional Mentored Youth Trout Day was held and included two of Carbon County streams; The Mahoning and Lizard Creeks. Ciara Warner and her mentor, her father Clyde, found success on the Mahoning Creek and took these two Brown Trout home. Congratulations!
Northcentral Region
Potter County
Anglers are catching trout in the wild trout streams and special regulation areas. Nymphs and small streamers are working best.
Trout stockings that occurred on the Allegheny River (Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only); Kettle Creek (Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only) and the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek (Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters) attracted anglers from all around! There were anglers from New Jersey, New York and PA! The day after stocking was productive for many anglers. Several ventured out to test their skills. Anglers caught trout using small Adams dry flies, green weenies, pink sucker spawn patterns and small jigs, streamers and lures.
THANK YOU, to all of you who assisted PA Fish and Boat Commission with stocking!!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is up, has some color, and is in the low 40s. Snowmelt slowed fishing a little, but trout are still being caught.
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.
A few anglers are catching a couple of trout on midges and blue wing olives during the mid to late afternoon hours. Make sure you stash a few dry flies in your box (e.g. midges size 22-26, Bluewing Olives size 18-22).
Centre County
Black Moshannon Lake
Anglers, fishing from shore, are catching Yellow Perch and pickerel using spinners and twister tails.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
There has been light boating activity on the lake. The lake is low, so access is limited at the upper launch areas. The Summer/Winter Launch and the Bald Eagle Launch are the best areas to utilize at this time for boating.
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie off the exposed roadbed, running from Summer/Winter Launch to Bald Eagle Launch. Red worms on the bottom and rubber twister tails, suspended from a bobber are working best.
Anglers are also catching Yellow Perch near the Hunter Run access area.
Spring Creek
The water temperature is in the low 40s. Water levels are good and there is a little bit of color to the water.
Currently, 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).
Anglers are also catching trout using dry flies in the late morning to mid-afternoon hours (e.g. blue wing olives sizes #18-22; midges sizes 22-26). Zebra midges are working very well!
Anglers, dead drifting small streamers (olive or black #6-10), are catching trout.
Anglers are catching trout on lower Spring Creek, using spinners and live bait. A few Grannom Caddis are coming off on lower Spring Creek. Make sure you stash a few size #14, Grannom Caddis patterns in your vest.
NOTICE: Bellefonte Borough, has requested that anglers, fishing between the High Street and Lamb Street Bridges, stay in the stream while fishing.
Union County
White Deer Creek
PA Fish and Boat Commission recently stocked the stream!
Southeastern Region
The Regional Trout Opening Day, which includes the counties in the Southeastern part of the state, is this Saturday, April 1. No Joke! Don’t let the shenanigans keep you from hooking up with a big one. While some stockings are mentioned in the report, you can find out if/when your local stream was stocked online: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Regional Mentored Youth Field Day follow-up – There are plenty of pictures up on our Instagram and Twitter accounts!
Bucks County
The Neshaminy Creek was stocked this past Monday, 3/27, in the upper section near the York Road/263 Bridge, and the lower section that flows through Tyler State Park in Newtown. Tohickon Creek up at Ralph Stover State Park, and the Delaware Canal, Section 3 were stocked today, Wednesday, 3/29.
Chester County
The Big Elk Creek, Section 1, from the confluence with the East Branch & West Branch Elk Creek to T307 Camp Bonsall Road and the East Branch Big Elk, Section 2, from New London Township line to the Confluence with the West Branch Elk Creek, and the White Clay Creek, Middle Branch Section 2, will be stocked with trout on Tuesday April 4. We will meet at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 896, we will be on 896 at 12:00PM. On one of my most recent stocking, we had only three persons to help stock 90 buckets of trout. Please come out to assist us with the stocking. Thanks.
The East Branch Octoraro Creek, Section 2; West Branch Brandywine Creek, Section 3; and Beaver Creek, Section 2; are scheduled to be stocked on Thursday April 6 at 11:30AM. The meeting place is the lane across from the Sadsburyville Post Office. Take the opportunity to introduce a child to a lifetime of fishing and outdoor adventures. I have not seen a child yet that did not have a great time while stocking. What are you waiting for?
Chester County Parks and Recreation will offer an Amphibian Migration program on Saturday, April 8 from 6PM to 7:30PM at the Warwick County Park. Participants will have the opportunity to learn which critters migrate during this annual event. This would be an excellent time to bring your camera along so you can capture some of Pennsylvania’s landscapes and wildlife. Wear footwear that you do not mind getting wet or muddy as you will be following them into their aquatic habitats. Pre-registration is required at 610-469-1916 and space is limited. More information is available on the web at http://chesco.org/2319/April-2017
The L.L. Bean Store in King of Prussia at 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia will offer a free class, Local Fishing with Mike on Thursday March 30th from 6 to 7 PM. You will have a chance to listen to a local fishing expert give you advice on when, where and how to fish in our local area as well as the laws and special regulation areas. What better way to find out about local angling opportunities. For more information you can call the store at 888-473-1828 or sign up or get more information on the website at https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/509115
The Orvis Store in Downingtown at 70 Quarry Rd, Downingtown Pa. 19335 will offer a free course Fly-Fishing 101 on Saturday April 8 from 9:00AM until 11:45AM. The course will cover everything that the beginning fly angler will need to know to get started in fly fishing. For more information you can call the store at 610-873-8400 or visit the website at www.orvis.com/downingtown
Lehigh County
Accompanied by mentors, youth anglers lined the stream banks of Lehigh County. Whether it was wading in the water with dad, having mom show how to make the perfect cast, or fishing with grandpa at the same fishing hole he has been fishing since he was a child. These young anglers from all different fishing backgrounds enjoyed the amazing weather and had a fantastic time reeling in their first trout of the season. For some it was the first trout they ever caught. It was great to see a few first timers reel in their first trout. Many of the children were spending the day practicing their catch and release techniques. It was great to see so many young anglers taking advantage of this program.
Northampton County
The streams in Northampton County are all ready for the opening day this Saturday. The last of the preseason trout have been stocked in the Saucon Creek and the Little Bushkill Creek earlier this week. Mentored Youth Day was a success bringing out many kids with mentors of all ages. The weather was very pleasant, and the fish were biting. Many children practiced catch and release, and some children left with some very nice trout for the first time. The stream levels across the county are slightly higher than normal due to the snowmelt and recent rains. Keep in mind, with all these recent rains that the banks leading down to the streams can be very muddy and slippery. Take your time picking out your fishing spot for Saturday and be safe traversing the slopes.
Philadelphia County
We had two successful stockings in the Upper Wissahickon Creek in Montgomery Co. and the Lower Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia County. The stocking of these streams will provide the opportunity for trout fishing in an urban area. Thank you to all of the volunteers who come out and help our officers and fish culturists get the fish in the water safely prior to opening day. Thanks for helping to stock in all the different weather conditions.