Pictured above: Kandy Weader, recently caught this 18.5” 4lb Smallmouth Bass while fishing the West Branch Susquehanna River, using a streamer pattern. (photo by Shawn Rummel)
Northwest Region
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Kahle Lake continues to be in a drawdown state. The level of the lake has been raised approximately three feet. If no problems exist, the lake will be maintained at this level. Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass, Bluegills, crappies & some nice Yellow Perch. Kayak anglers, who are fishing with soft plastics in a variety of colors and sizes, are catching a lot of Largemouth Bass. With the raised water levels, anglers should target the area where the old shoreline was. The bass are holding tight to the newly created habitat. Anglers and boaters are reminded that Kahle Lake is a PFBC-owned lake. All boats, including canoes and kayaks, must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Piney Dam
Piney Dam continues to be in a drawdown state and is approximately 6 feet below normal pool levels. Anglers are catching some Yellow Perch and a few crappies. Anglers and boaters using the Mill Creek or the Gravel Lick Access Areas are reminded that these are PFBC-owned access areas and that all boats, including canoes & kayaks, must be registered or have a launch permit to use these facilities.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching a few Walleyes between Emlenton and Parker. Some Muskellunge and Northern Pike have been reported near the confluences of the Clarion River and Redbank Creek.
Redbank Creek
Anglers are catching a few Walleyes and Northern Pike below the dam in New Bethlehem. The Hawthorn Rod & Gun Club stocked its Co-Op trout in Redbank Creek & Pine Run. Anglers are catching nice trout from Hawthorn to the dam in New Bethlehem.
Beaver Creek Ponds Project
Currently the Beaver Ponds are closed to all fishing.
Piney Creek DHALO Area
Anglers have been doing well here. Anglers are reminded that use or possession of bait and the keeping or possession of trout while fishing in the project waters is prohibited.
In-Season Trout Stockings
4/19 – Mill Creek, Canoe Creek & Turkey Run – Meet the stocking truck at 10:45 am at the Leeper Red & White Store on SR 36 & SR 66.
4/25 – Redbank Creek – Meet the stocking truck at 10:30 am at Plyler’s Buffet & Family Restaurant on SR 36 in Brookville.
4/27 – Toms Run, Coon Creek = Meet the stocking truck at 11:30 am at Cooks Forest Park Office on SR 36.
Central Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
The bay has been producing some very nice sized Yellow Perch. Anglers can still catch some nice fish off the end of Liberty Park, Dobbins Landing, Holland Street Dock, and the North and South Piers. The crappie bite will be next; so stay tuned. Blue 2017 registration decals are expired as of 3/31/17; so be sure to renew your registration before using your boat!
Stocked Trout Waters
Trout season is in full swing on Cascade Creek and at the East and West Basin ponds on Presque Isle State Park. The basin ponds have been stocked twice already. Please remember until the end of April, if you’re out on a kayak, canoe, or a boat less than 16 feet, you must wear your life jacket at all times.
Northeasatern Region
Monroe County
The nice weather brought trout anglers in the masses this year. Anglers report very good catches using just about any type bait. Spinners seemed to work in the faster flowing water.
Northern Wayne County
Trout season has arrived. The streams in Northern Wayne County, Northern Susquehanna County and Eastern Bradford County are at fantastic levels. The in-season adult trout stocking is in full swing replenishing the trout populations. The early season hatches are on track for the fly fishing anglers.
For the non- trout anglers looking for crappie try Prompton Dam in Wayne County and Dunn Pond and Stillwater Dam in Susquehanna County.
Western Bradford and Sullivan County
Anglers out over the weekend reported great water conditions and weather to match. Bait preferences seemed to be wax worms, meal worms and minnows across all of the stocked trout waters. Fish activity was good with many folks catching their limit, some catching many more (catch & release of course.)
Luzerne County
Northcentral Region
Get your license ONLINE – http://www.gonefishingpa.com/
Tioga County
Hamilton and Beechwood Lakes
Anglers are catching trout using doughbaits. Chartreuse, corn yellow and rainbow colors are working best. Live minnows and butterworms are also working!
Pine Creek
Anglers are seeing Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Hendricksons and Caddis hatching. Afternoons are fishing best.
Live minnows, waxworms, butterworms and small spinners are also working.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using live minnows. Crappie are also being caught, especially after dark.
Hammond Lake
Anglers are catching bass in shallow water, using crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Cameron
Streams are down and are fishing well. Anglers are having luck using spinners and pellet style jerk baits.
When fishing low water, stay low, approach your fishing area with stealth. Wear clothing that blends in with the surroundings.
Lycoming County
Loyalsock Creek
Anglers are catching trout using black wooly buggers, Hendrickson dry flies and rapalas.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass using streamers and crankbaits.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water flow is great right now, with a bit of color. The water temperature is in the high 40s.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. Frenchie #14-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18; Prince #12-16; dark stonefly nymphs).
With the warm weather, anglers are seeing Quill Gordons, Grannoms and Hendricksons hatching.. Make sure you stash a few dry flies in your box, just in case (e.g. midges size #22-26, Blue Quill #14-16; 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.
Anglers are catching trout on lower Fishing Creek, using spinners, live minnows and streamer patterns.
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are catching trout using spinners and eggs. A few anglers are catching trout using redworms and live minnows.
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the high 40s. Water flow is great. Upper Spring Creek is fishing well. Anglers are seeing Grannoms, Tan Caddis and Blue Wing Olive hatches.
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; tan caddis #14-16;midges sizes 22-26). Grannom emergers are working better than dries at this time.
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.
Southeastern Region
Bucks County
Delaware River
Shad anglers are reporting a great spring run, one of the best years in recent memory. River is still dropping and clearing up, and hovering in the mid-50’s. Shad are still coming into the river, so now is the time to get out and hit the shores or launch the boat. Wading along the shoreline is still a popular way to fish for shad. WCOs have been seeing many of these anglers wearing personal flotation devices, a good sound safety investment. Anglers in boats are using flutter spoons of all colors. Most have reported that finding the right color for conditions has been a trial-and-error ordeal every day they have been out.
Trout are still being stocked in N. Bucks County and trout anglers have had a good spring since the water levels have receded after the opening weekend washout. To see when your favorite trout stream gets an in-season stocking, check here:
http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Nockamixon Lake
– Anglers are reporting good crappie and bass action at Nockamixon Lake. Bass are in the shallows right now. Adult bass are beginning their breeding cycle, and adult bass over a bass redd (nest) should be avoided. Crappies are around banks and submerged structure. Gulp minnows and spider-rigged live minnows are working well.
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake
The warm weather over the past week has fish biting on just about everything. Bluegills and crappies are taking mealworms and wax worms, minnows and small jigs. Some bass are being caught as well, taking everything from jigs to spinner and crank baits. The best soft plastic worm colors to use are black, purple, dark green and pumpkin seed. Best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers.
Streams
French Creek, Pickering Ck, East Brandywine Ck, and West Valley Ck have average flows and are very clear, but have been fishing well. Water temps have been hovering between 58-62 degrees. With clear conditions it makes it a bit more difficult on the spin fishermen. Bait anglers are catching trout with minnows and small wax or mealworms. Fly anglers have reported taking trout on very small (24-28) midges. Small pheasant tail and hares ears nymphs are also producing results for the fly fishermen.
Remember, you may never have bait in your possession in any of the Special Regulation Areas. The Fly Fishing Area is Catch & Release Only. You may not possess fish in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only areas until June 15.
Note: Stay clear of the fish ladder at the Black Rock Dam. Respect the river, wear a PFD while onboard a boat. *There was a near drowning at the dam last week!
S. Chester County
The next meeting of the White Clay Fly-Tying Club will be at 6PM on Thursday, April 20 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. 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 tell few stories about the last big one that got away, or the best place to fish and what to use. 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 Creek Middle Branch Section 3 Delayed Harvest Area, the Pocopson Creek Section 2, and the White Clay Creek Section 1 will be stocked with trout on April 24. We will meet the big white stocking truck in the long lane across from the Sadsburyville Post Office at 11:30AM. Come on out to give a little something back, or to take a youngster on an adventure that they will remember for a lifetime.
The White Clay Creek East Branch Section 3, from the White Clay Creek Preserve Boundary to the mouth has been stocked with trout. The stocking locations for the White Clay East Branch Section 3, were Penn Green Road at the top of the Preserve Boundary at 39-46’24.2″ North and 75-46’11.1″ West, London Tract Road at 39-46’07.6″ North and 75-45’54.2″ West, and Yeatmans Station Road at 39-45’54.2″ North and 75-45’45.8″ West.
The White Clay Creek East Branch Section 2, from SR357 (Wood View Road) to the White Clay Creek Preserve Boundary has been stocked with trout. The stocking locations for the White Clay East Branch Section 2, were Glen Willow Orchard at 39-50’07.1″ North and 75-47’21.2″ West, Indian Run Road at Miller Drive at 39-49’05.8″ North and 75-46’57.7″ Indian Run Road at bend at 39-48’58.0″ North and 75-46’59.7″ West, Garden Station Bridge and Clay Creek Road at 39-48’09.2 North and 75-47’01.6 West, North Clay Creek Bridge and Church Hill Road at 39-47’51.2″ North and 75-46’56.9″ West, Auburn Road Bridge at 39-47’28.1″ North and 75-46’15.4″ West, Laurel Woods Road Bridge on Penn Green Road at 39-47’02.7″ North and 75-46’29.4″ West, Landenberg United Methodist Church Parking Lot at 39-46’42.0″ North and 75-46’18.9″ West, Thanks to Forest C. for coordinating the stocking, and Scott M. for running the floats.
The Buck Run Section 2 has been stocked. This will be the last in season stocking of the year. The stocking points are Old Mill Road at 39-58’38.5″ North and 75-54’09.9″, just downstream of business 30 at 39-58’51.3″ North and 75-54’33.4″ West, Octoraro Drive at 39-59’08.2″ North and 75-54’37.0″ West, on Quarry Road Bridge at 39-58’11.9″ North and 75-53’37.9″ West, Greenbelt Road Bridge at 39-57’58.7″ North and 75-53’34,7″ West and just upstream of West Bert Reel Park at 39-57’49.4″ North and 75-53’20.2″ West.
Lehigh County
With the bulk of Lehigh County stockings completed, anglers are reporting a great catch rate across the entire county. Through Lock Ridge Park in Alburtis you may have success fishing for trout in Swabia Creek. On Jordan Creek, in South Whitehall Township, anglers are getting trout through Covered Bridge Park.
Northampton County
The trees in the county have leafed out and seemingly pulled up a lot of water from those streams. They have gone from high and muddy to low and clear in what seems like one week. For those anglers targeting trout, there are still plenty in the streams and we continue to stock them with in-season stockings. Anglers going for trout have transitioned from using pate baits (in the opening week) to minnows (currently) and have had more success with minnows on streams like the Bushkill Creek, Martins Creek and the Hokendauqua.
American Shad have been making their way up to Easton in the Delaware River with many anglers catching shad in the 19-22” range on spoons and swim baits.
Thank you to all the helpers who have come out to help stock trout in the various streams over the last month and a half. For those who want to see what stocking trout is all about there are still plenty of opportunities to come out and help in the next month.
E. Schuylkill County
Locust Lake was very good for trout fishing on the opening day of trout season. Anglers were catching some trout from shore on minnows and wax worms. The lake is due to be stocked again on April 22 with Brook Trout and Brown trout.
The Little Schuylkill River has seen a lot of angling pressure throughout the stocked areas, but still holds trout, probably due to high waters. Trout are still being caught on all the common baits, gold spinners, and chartreuse colored lures have worked as well. The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area of the river has seen quite a bit of pressure and has proven to be tougher as the season progresses. As hatches of insects start to come off expect fly fishing to increase through this section.
The Schuylkill River is at a moderate water level for canoes and kayaks to travel from Auburn to Port Clinton. A few have floated this section already. Just make sure you dress appropriately for the water temperatures and wear your life jacket.
Great fishing report !