Pictured above: During PA’s Mentored Youth Trout Day, Kimber, age 4 caught this 19 and 1/2 inch rainbow while fishing with her sister Myleigh, age 9 who caught a 14 inch Brook Trout. They were fishing in Fishing Creek Mill Hall, with their father Douglas Lamey. Way to go you two! Thank you Douglas for taking your children fishing! (photo by Jessica Welshans)
Northwest Region
Crawford County
Woodcock Creek Lake
Woodcock Creek Lake is almost to summer pool level.
Woodcock Creek
Reminder: Woodcock Creek (which includes the outflow of Woodcock Creek Lake) is closed to ALL fishing until the opening day of trout season (April 15th). Once open to fishing, a trout stamp is required until mid-night May 31st no matter which species of fish a person is fishing for.
Central Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch in Presque Isle Bay and along the Bayfront. Anglers are concentrated at Liberty Park, Dobbins Landing, and the Port Authority Building. Minnows seem to be the bait of choice. Please remember that Yellow Perch must be 7 inches and the creel limit is 30. Many anglers are also catching small Steelhead smolts so please be gentle when releasing them.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Northern Pike and Musky fishing has been productive from the shore and from boats. Anglers can also access the Sand and Gravel Island from the parking area near the Lighthouse and walk to the Allegheny River or Tionesta Creek. The confluence of the Allegheny River and Council Run is also productive for Musky and Northern Pike. Northern Pike must be 24 inches or more to keep and musky must be 40 inches or more to keep. The daily limit for Northern Pike is two and Musky is one. Walleye season is currently closed until May 6th 2017.
Tionesta Outflow
Anglers are reminded that they must have purchased a Trout Permit to fish in the Tionesta Outflow regardless of fishing for or keeping trout.
Tionesta Lake (Nebraska Bridge)
Anglers have been successful fishing for crappie, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill from Nebraska Bridge. The boat launch at Nebraska Bridge is open and anglers have been successful fishing the shoreline downstream of Nebraska Bridge.
Trout Stocked Waters
All trout stocked waters are closed to fishing until 8:00am on Saturday April 15, 2017. Please consult your 2017 Summary of Fishing Regulations for a complete list of Trout Stocked Waters.
Ross Run
The Kellettville Sportsman’s Club will be conducting a children’s fishing derby on April 22, 2017, at the Children Only Fishing Area of Ross Run. Children must be 12 years of age or younger to participate.
Northeasatern Region
Northern Columbia, Northern Luzerne and Wyoming Counties
Anglers fishing in the Special Regulation areas along Bowman’s Creek, South Branch Tunkhannock and Harveys Creeks have been reporting success with dark colored streamers. Everything from black wooly buggers to purple streamers with flash have been bringing trout to hand. A few trout have been fooled by nymphs but not near as many as have been taken with larger offerings. With water this cold you must put something in front of a fish that appears large enough to make it worth the effort for the trout. Anglers are reminded that when fishing these areas they cannot have any bait in possession.
Most area waters have already been stocked for the first day and many folks were out enjoying the warmer weather this week and checking out their favorite holes to see what they can expect to encounter on the trout opener. If you plan to spend time in a boat less than 16 feet long fishing from now until the end of April you are reminded that PFD wear is required for everyone onboard and at all times when you are on the water. Another common mistake seen is a group of anglers keeping their catch on the same stringer or in the same bucket. This is not legal; you must be able to positively identify the catch that you’ve kept. Separate stringers and buckets or mouth clips if kept in a common live well are a must.
While most streams were running high for the Mentored Youth Trout Day on 04.08.2017, this didn’t stop anglers from going out and finding trout that were willing to bite. Hunter Warner, mentored by his day, on Wrights Creek was able catch some really nice Brown Trout. Great Job!
Lackawanna County
The district saw increased participation in the Mentored Youth Trout Day over previous years. Water temperatures started out cold and the air temperature was below freezing in many locations. As the day progressed temperatures rose to the lower 50’s and the fish cooperated. Many youth anglers caught fish in the teener league and little holes in the Roaring Brook. Plenty of fish were caught in DeSandis Pond and Lake Wilson as well. Some brook trout were caught at the main boat launch at Lackawanna Lake.
River and stream levels were quite high this past weekend. Warmer temperatures and a rain free week will improve conditions for the opening day.
Northcentral Region
Pennsylvania’s Statewide Trout season OPENs this Saturday, April 15, 2017! Get your license HERE
Tioga County
Mentored Youth Trout Day was a success in Tioga County! Young anglers from all over enjoyed a beautiful day on the water with their mentors.
Things are also starting to heat up on warmwater lakes across the county. Water temperatures have climbed to the mid 50’s on most lakes.
Hamilton & Beechwood Lakes
During Mentored Youth Trout Days, anglers caught trout on live minnows, paste baits, wax worms, butter worms and salmon eggs.
Asaph Run
During Mentored Youth Trout Days, anglers caught trout on live minnows, dough baits, salmon eggs, and butterworms.
Hills Creek Lake
Yellow Perch are post-spawn and biting well! Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using live minnows, fished under a slip bobber. A few perch are being caught on nightcrawlers and wax worms.
Anglers are also catching pickerel using live minnows, curly tail grubs and crankbaits.
Hammond Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie, but the bite is a bit slow right now. Another week of warm weather will really get the fish moving!
Cowanesque and Tioga Lake Spillways
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass, pickerel, Rock Bass and Yellow Perch, using live minnows and shiners.
Anglers are also catching a few catfish using nightcrawlers and cutbaits.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water flow is great right now, with a bit of color. The water temperature is in the low to mid 40s.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. beadhead prince #12-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18; dark stonefly nymphs).
With the warm weather, anglers are seeing Bluewing Olives, Quill Gordons and Grannoms. Make sure you stash a few dry flies in your box, just in case (e.g. midges size #22-26, Bluewing Olives size #18-22, Quill Gordons #14-16; Grannom Caddis #12-14).
Streamers are moving fish a few trout. Target the “soft water”, near the banks and structure (e.g. logs, large stones etc). Anglers are also catching a few trout using olive/black streamers size 6-10.
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the mid 40s. The water flow is good and has a bit of color. Upper Spring Creek is fishing well. Lower Spring Creek may be a little tough wading. If you venture to lower Spring Creek to fish, fish the edges.
Suckers are spawning and grannom caddis have been spotted as far up as Fisherman’s Paradise!
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. orange/yellow egg patterns, hot spot sow bug, walt’s worm, black zebra midge, green weenie, caddis larvae patterns). Zebra midges have been working very well!
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). Grannom emergers are working better than dries at this time.
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.
NOTICE – Bellefonte Borough, has requested that anglers, fishing between the High Street and Lamb Street Bridges, stay in the stream while fishing.
Lycoming/Sullivan County
Muncy Creek
During Mentored Youth Trout Day, anglers were catching trout using paste baits, wax worms, red worms and small spinners.
Southeastern Region
Trout season has been open for over a week in the Southeast Region, and many streams are getting their in-season stocking already. Check the online stocking schedule to see when trout are coming to water near you! Many happy anglers are showing off their catches on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Check us out on those apps!
The statewide trout opener is this Saturday for those looking to head ‘up the mountains!’ into the Poconos or Northcentral Region.
The L.L. Bean Store in King of Prussia will offer a free class How to Pack Your Kayak for Camping on Thursday, April 20 from 7 to 8 PM. You will have a chance to listen to local kayak experts give you advice on what, and how to pack all that necessary, and what is necessary gear into the small amount of space available on a kayak. What better way to find out about kayak camping basics. For more information you can call the store at 888-473-1828 or sign up or get more information on the website HERE
Bucks County
The Delaware Canal (both sections), Lake Luxembourg & Neshaminy Creek (in Tyler State Park) received fresh Rainbow Trout from a stocking yesterday, 4/11.
Southern Chester County
The next meeting of the White Clay Fly Fishers will be held on Tuesday, April 19 starting at 7 PM at the London Tract Baptist Meetinghouse. For more information on the club or the meeting you can visit the website at www.whiteclayflyfishers.org
The Orvis Store in Downingtown will offer a free course Fly-Fishing 101 on Saturday April 22 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
The White Perch are starting to bite at Octoraro Reservoir. Some of the White Perch in the lake are rather large. Octoraro Reservoir gets little fishing pressure when you consider how large it is. Boat anglers doing better as they can get to the warm shallows and anchor up when they find a bunch of these schooled together. The best baits are pieces of crawler and small minnows fished on the bottom.
The West Branch of the Brandywine Creek, Section 3 was just stocked. The stocking points were the Hatfield Road Bridge at 40-00’54.4″ North and 75-50’38.3″ West , Rim Trail RR Bed Stop #1 at 40-01’02.3″ North and 75-50’42.3″ West, Rim Trail RR Bed Stop #2 at 40-01’13.4″ North and 75-50’49.3″ West, RIM TRAIL BRIDGE at 40-01’18.6″ North and 75-50’50.5″ West, below the Wagontown Road Bridge at 40-01’19.0″ North and 75-50’50.5″ West, above Wagontown Road Bridge at 40-01’19.8″ North and 75-50’51.6″ West, park side RR bed trail (gators used to stock) at 40-01’19.7″ North and 75-50’50.4″ West, The Wall at 40-01’32.0″ North and 75-50’39.5″ West, the old dam and picnic area above old dam (fish stocked both directions on gators) at 40-01’41.2″ North and 75-50’17.9″ West, and downstream of the Cedar Knoll Bridge.
The East Branch Octoraro Creek Section 2, was just stocked and is a great place to fish. A little off the beaten path between Chester and Lancaster County it does not have a lot of canopy cover so it is a great place to fly-fish and does have some very nice wide, slow moving water, open areas and deep holes so it is a good spot to take a child with limited ability or to teach a person to fish. It is a little hard sometimes to feel a bite or to get your bait to stay down on a fast water trout stream. To get to the East Branch Octoraro Creek get on Route 41 just above Cochranville you will turn on to Center Hall Road. Follow Center Hall Road to Fording Road and turn right on Fording Road. Follow Fording Road and it will take you to the bridge at the bottom of the stocked section. Go North on Bryson Road from this point and the stream will be on your left. The upstream limit of the stocked section is Steelville Road. The stocking points are the Steelville & Schoff Road Bridge at 39-54’17.8″ North and 75-59’42.8″ West, Bryson Road Stop #1 at 39-53’46.6″ North and 75-59’20.2″ West, Bryson Road Stop #2 at 39-53’39.8″ North and 75-59’13.4″ West, Ross Fording Road Bridge at 39-52’57.3″ North and 75-59’29.7″ West. Good Luck!
The Beaver Creek Section 2, from SR 30 to the mouth has been stocked with trout. The stocking locations for the Beaver Creek, Section 2, are behind the Animal Clinic of Thorndale at 40-00’20.9″ North and 75-44’43.9″ West, King Street and West Pennsylvania Avenue at 40-00’40.1″ North and 75-43’32.4″ West, G O Carlson Blvd. at 40-00’12.3″ North and 75-44’15.1″ West, Lloyd Avenue Park at 40-00’17.6 North and 75-43’25.5 West, Saint Joseph Field at Aston Avenue and Mary Street at 40-00’18.4″ North and 75-43’25.5″ West. Thanks to the 3 people who came out to help in the pouring rain.
Lancaster County
In-Season Stocking:
On Wednesday April 5, the Big Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek received an in-season plant of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
Significant sections of the Big Beaver Creek were float stocked as per below:
Float Stocked Sections of Stocked Trout Waters
| Stocked Trout Water | Section |
| Big Beaver Creek | Downstream From 20 Main St. New Providence To 1930 Beaver Valley Pike-
Downstream From Concrete Bridge At Near Old Rd & Beaver Valley Pike Downstream From Krantz Mill Road Bridge Downstream From 92 Refton Road Downstream From 66 Smithville Road To Past Smithville Road Bridge |
With limited catch rates on the opening weekend ample numbers of trout remain to be creeled; anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the fishing opportunities afforded them on Big Beaver Creek. With its headwaters located on property at 1190 May Post Office Road Road, Quarryville [Eden Twp. – near Springville Road]. Big Beaver Creek flows 10.6 miles before meeting the Pequea Creek approximately 500 yards upstream from the bridge at Herrville Road. The stocked portion of Big Beaver Creek traverses 5.34 miles with its Upper Limit at SR 222 (Beaver Valley Pike) and White Oak Road -and its Lower Limit at the mouth where it enters the Pequea Creek.
*Anglers are advised that the property at 15 Main Street, New Providence is posted, subsequently Big Beaver Creek was not stocked upstream of this location. Conversely at the defined Lower Limit the property at 153 Smithville Road has been posted to fishing access, accordingly the STOCKED lower limit extends approximately 300 yards downstream of the Smithville Road Bridge.
Restricted Access Advisory
Big Beaver Creek: No Sunday Fishing is in effect at 1930 Beaver Valley Pike.
Little Beaver Creek: Little Beaver Creek is effectively posted so as to restrict Sunday Fishing. This lawful restriction will be enforced under the provisions of section 2104 of the Code.
PARKING ADVISORY: Anglers should watch where they are parking, so as not to restrict the ingress/egress of landowners, this includes blocking a safe line of sight when landowners are exiting from their driveways.
Do Not Park On The Grass – heed this warning, anglers are duly advised that they are subject to being cited when observed to be in violation. Many landowners do allow for an off road parking area, in all other areas the common courtesy guideline of ‘keep off the grass!’ applies. Please thank a landowner for allowing their lands to be open to public fishing access. This simple expression of gratitude reaps rewards in maintaining access as does retrieving any litter left behind by ethically lacking anglers.
For further edification – the language of the law:
- 2501. Misuse of property and waters.
(a) General rule.–It is unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts in or along any waters or lands adjacent to or contiguous to waters within or bordering on this Commonwealth:
(1) Park or leave standing any motor vehicle or other means of conveyance in such a manner as to obstruct the owner or his lessee ingress, egress or regress to his property or cattleways without the permission of the owner or lessee of the land.
(2) Drive a motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicle or other type of conveyance on or over any lands or waters, including frozen waters, without the permission of the owner or lessee of the land.
Reporting Violations in Lancaster County: Illegal fishing activity can be reported to Southeast Region Law Enforcement Headquarters in Elm at 626-0228, Monday – Friday [8-4] or at all other times to the non-emergency number of Countywide Communications at 664-1180. Inform the Dispatcher immediately that it is a Fishing Violation and moreover to refer it to Officer Schmidt. Conscientious anglers are cautioned per Officer Schmidt to not engage individuals observed to be in violation, but rather to report it in real time so that an Officer can respond for follow-up law enforcement action.
In checking anglers after the Thursday, 4/5, stocking of Big Beaver and Little Beaver Creeks, Eric Young had successfully landed this 21 ¼” Rainbow on a Panther Martin spinner with 6 lb. test just upstream of the bridge at May Post Office and Little Beaver Roads.