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
Anglers are catching nice Yellow Perch back in the shallows of Shannon and Muddy Creek fingers above Rt. 528 access area. Anglers are catching some crappie, but have been spotty throughout the lake. Try jigging a minnow for both.
Harbor Acres Lake (SGL 95)
This lake has been stocked with trout in anticipation of the opening day in April. Reminder: Harbor Acres Lake is closed to all fishing from March 1 until the opening day of trout in April.
Glade Run Lake
This lake will be stocked on April 10 and ready for trout fishing on opening day. All other species of fish must be immediately returned to the water. There is no fishing permitted at the lake from March 1 to the opening day of trout in April. For more information please check regulations posted at the property.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching Walleyes at the spillway but it’s early.
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 the press release on Pymatuning.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappies in the north end of the lake especially in the channel.
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 smolts 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. Please visit the Trout stocking link for more information.
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
Southern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
Unseasonably warm temperatures have all but ended ice fishing season within the region. Anglers trying to take advantage of the nice weather this time of year need to remember that Stocked Trout Waters in the region are closed until 8:00 a.m. April 15th.
Monroe County
With “safe ice” all but gone, anglers are looking to the creeks…remember to check your 2017 summary to verify that it isn’t trout stocked water which is closed from March 1st until opening day April 15th. Two stocked waters open to year round fishing are Hidden Lake, a Stocked Trout Water Open to Year – Round Fishing, and the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Section portion of the McMichael’s Creek, from golf course bridge going upstream to the cable.
Northcentral Region
Cold weather is predicted to return this weekend. If you are going fishing this weekend, dress in layers, bring some hot cocoa/coffee and be prepared to switch up your game!
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
REMINDER – You, your friends and your family can assist PA Fish and Boat Commission stock trout! Just meet us on the designated date, time and location listed on our Stocking Schedule – http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Tioga County
Pine Creek
Black stoneflies are hatching. There are lots of trout left in upper Pine Creek’s “Catch and Release All Tackle” section. Get out and catch a few!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water temperature is in the 40s. Recent rain has brought the water level up and added some color.
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
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Crappie and Bluegill off the roadbeds, near the Summer/Winter Launch and Hunter Run Cut. Jigs under a bobber and live minnows are working best.
Anglers are catching Crappie and Yellow Perch near the Hunter Run Cut area. Live minnows and small, rubber jigs, under a bobber are working best.
The spillway is producing great Yellow Perch and Crappie fishing. Anglers are catching them on minnows and small jigs in the backwater areas.
Spring Creek
The water temperature is in the low 40s and it has a little color to it.
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)
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.
In the town of Bellefonte, anglers are catching trout using nymphs and small, olive or black streamer patterns. Live bait, spinners and bread are also working.
Southeastern Region
S. Chester County
Remember that all Stocked Trout Waters here in the Southeast are closed to fishing from March 1 to the opening day of the regional opening day of Trout Season, this year at 8 AM on April 1. For those of you in Southern Chester County who would like to continue to fish, you can do so in the Middle Branch of the White Clay Creek, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section. This is a 1.7 mile long stretch that runs from the Good Hope Road Bridge downstream to the confluence with the White Clay East Branch in the White Clay Creek State Park. This water is also a Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water which means that it is stocked with trophy fish in the 14 to 20 inch range at a rate of about 250 per mile. The waters at the confluence and below, as well as above the Good Hope Bridge are closed to fishing so make sure that you know where you are. To get to the Middle Branch of the White Clay DHALO, find 896 South and follow it to Indiantown Rd and turn left. Go to the fourth stop sign. You will see the White Clay Nature Center on your left and the Ranger Station just beyond that also on your left. You can stop in the Ranger Station for a map and very detailed information. From the stop go straight ahead passing the Ranger Station on your left, then a very old, very historic home on your right, then to the second dirt lane to the right, just before you go over the bridge. This is parking lot number two. You are now at the end of the Delayed Harvest Section. The bridge you turned in front of is about 150 yards upstream of the confluence. The confluence is the bottom or end of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only. From the parking lot work your way upstream to the bridge on Sharpless Road at parking lot number 2. Open to fishing year round, 24 hours a day. The White Clay Creek is one of the more scenic streams in Southern Chester County and is a great place to spend a day fishing, don’t forget to bring your camera along. In Northern Chester you can continue to fish in three different Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas. These are East Branch Brandywine Creek, 1.2 mile stretch from SR 4019 (Dorlans Mill Road) downstream to SR 4004 (Dowlin Forge Road). Pickering Creek, 1.5 miles from SR 1019 (Charlestown Road) downstream to 330 yards upstream of the railroad bridge. West Valley Creek starts 1.2 miles from the confluence with the unnamed tributary (locally known as Colebrook Run) upstream of SR 2020 (Boot Road) downstream to 0.25 miles of the railroad tunnel.
The Little Cocalico Creek, Section 2, from 250 yards upstream of Resh Road, to the mouth, Muddy Creek, section 2, from 100 yards upstream of the Pleasant Valley Road Bridge to the 897 Bridge in Fivepointville, and Rock Run, Section 2, from the campground boundary just a little more than 1 mile south of the Berks County Line to the mouth, have been stocked with trout. Remember that all three streams are closed until the regional opening day of trout, April 1st at 8 AM this year. The stocking locations for the Little Cocalico Creek were the Hat Factory #1 in Denver, Hat Factory stop #2, Ware House #3, Miller Road #4, the Pipe Yard #5, Mechanic Drive #6, Main Street Route 897 #7, and Resh Road #8. The stocking points for Muddy Creek were the Township Office #1, Long Lane #2, the fenced gate on Pleasant Valley Road #3 and the Bridge on Fivepointville Road #4. The stocking points for Rock Run were behind an Amish School #1, the King Farm #2, and Oaklyn Drive #3. Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the cold to assist with the stocking and thanks to Dick D. for his continued support in coordinating the effort.
Philadelphia County
With the warmer weather, the water temps have the potential to warm up faster than previous years. Please be reminded of the striped bass regulations effective 03/01/2015. The creel limit during the regular striped bass season was reduced from two fish 28in or over to ONE FISH 28in or over. During the ordinary “slot fish” regulations in PA, during April and May, the regulation was changed from two fish between 20 and 26 inched to two fish 21 to 25 inches. These regulations can be reviewed in the 2017 PA Fishing Summary and online at www.fishinpa.com
S. Montgomery/W.Philadelphia Counties
The early warm weather has been bringing out some anglers, but most are still reporting limited success, with most reporting catching bass in small lakes using swim baits. Pre-season trout stocking is now in full swing with stocking dates and meeting places on the website, so come out and lend a hand!
SE Regional mentored youth day is on March 25th. Remember that all mentored youth anglers must have either a mentored youth permit or voluntary youth fishing license, either of which are available on line or at any local fishing license sales agent. The mentored youth permit is free and the voluntary youth fishing license costs $2.90, but for every youth license sold, PFBC receives $5.00 in federal funding to be used for youth angling programs! Also remember that any mentored youth angler must be accompanied by a mentor of at least 16 years of age to participate. Mentors must be currently licensed with a trout stamp and may not keep any trout. Only mentored youth may keep trout, with a minimum size of 7 inches and a limit of 2 for the day. Regional opening day of trout season is April 1st, and with the exception of mentored youth day, stocked trout waters are closed until trout season opens.
The recent unseasonably warm weather has also been bringing out some paddlers, and all boaters are still reminded that the mandatory wear period for life vests remains in effect through April 30th.
N. Montgomery/E. Berks Counties
Lake Ontelaunee
Anglers are catching crappies, not only out of the Peters Cove Section of the Lake, but out of the main body of the lake as well. Try along Rte 73 and on the east side of the lake off of Maiden Creek Rd. Jig heads with rubber grubs seem to be doing the trick.