Northwest Region
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching crappies, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Channel Catfish throughout the reservoir. The Walleye spawn seems to be over with so they should be hitting in the lake soon.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappies at the north end. The hot bait seems to be jigs tipped with a minnow or wax worms.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching crappies and Bluegill at the Sheakleyville road bridge and at launch 3.
Venango County
Allegheny River
When the river conditions allow for boats to be on the water, Smallmouth Bass continue to top the catch chart.
French Creek
Anglers are catching Walleye and Northern Pike throughout the waterway.
Oil Creek
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass and Walleye along the stream’s lower stretches, particularly near its confluence with the Allegheny River
Warren County
Farnsworth Branch
Anglers are catching some nice Brook Trout in this stocked trout waterway where the water bends. The baits that have been working well since opening day were salted minnows and paste baits.
Northeasatern Region
Southern Luzerne & Southern Columbia Counties
With another Opening Day of Trout Season in the books, anglers are having little trouble finding fish. Those waters that have not received in season plantings of fish, are scheduled to receive them in the immediate future. Anglers seem to be having success, with anything from canned corn to the most delicately tied flies, as well as everything in between.
Those who fish the Susquehanna River will be glad to hear that the water levels are beginning to return to fishable levels. The gates at Union Access had to be closed due to safety concerns because of flooding. But, as of this writing it is again open and usable.
There have been no significant reports of crappies being caught in the area yet. However, with the onset of spring, and rising water temperatures, look for them to begin spawning in the very near future.
So, whatever you fish for and wherever you choose to do it-get on the water and enjoy the vast fishing opportunities the Commonwealth has to offer.
Lackwanna County
This past week Merli Sarnoski, DeSandis Pond and the Roaring Brook received an in-season trout stocking. Anglers were catching trout even before the truck arrived at Merli.
Orange paste bait seems to be doing the trick at DeSandis this Past week.
Anglers need to be patient at the Roaring Brook as several days of rain have caused the water to be high. Fisherman are catching their limits in Bunker Hill and Scranton, it’s just taking a little work.
The bluegill and crappie fishing slowed down in late week because of the cooler temperatures and several days of rain. We’ll need a few days of warm temperatures for the fishing to improve.
Fishing at the reservoirs open to public fishing has been slow as well.
Western Bradford and Sullivan County
Following the recent stocking at Hunters Lake the sportsmen and women were out in full force. Anglers using power bait reported great success. Catch and release anglers were having outstanding success “jigging” with a trout magnet.
Northcentral Region
Get your license ONLINE – gonefishingpa.com
Tioga County
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching trout using live minnows and paste baits. Corn yellow and chartreuse, garlic paste baits are working best. Orange and rainbow colors are also working. A few anglers are catching trout by trolling Phoebes, Kastmaters and Thomas Spoons. Silver/gold are working best, but chartreuse colors are also working.
Anglers are catching Crappie along the shoreline of the dam using live minnows. The water is down a little, but is still off color. New rainfall may change water conditions, so be prepared to switch up your tactics.
Pine Creek
Water levels are still high, but the clarity is good. Anglers are catching trout using waxworms, butterworms, baby nightcrawlers and redworms. Black roostertails, black/gold panther martins and gold/rainbow trout Thomas Spoons and a variety of streamers are working.
Many anglers are doing well on small streams using wax worms, butterworms and salmon eggs.
Hills Creek Lake
The lake is fishing very well. Anglers are catching a few Crappie and Yellow Perch using live minnows, small chartreuse twister tails and paddle tails.
Anglers are catching bass using topwater techniques. Whopper ploppers are working well in the shallow water.
Tioga, Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes
Launches that are currently open include – South Shore Recreation Area, West and East Boat Launches, and Ives Run Camper’s Boat Launch. Currently, the northern gate on the Railroad Grade Trail, the Ives Run Day use Boat Launch and the Lambs Creek boat launch are all closed due to high water levels.
Clearfield County
Parker Dam and Tannery Dam were both stocked early this week with trout. Anglers are catching trout using silver colored spoons and live minnows.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Recent rainfall is providing good water flows and some color in the stream. The water temperature is in the high 40s to low 50s.
Anglers are catching trout using mayfly, stonefly and caddis nymphs(e.g. Frenchie #14-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18; Prince #12-16; dark stonefly nymphs). Most trout are eating just below the water surface. A few anglers are catching trout by swinging caddis pupa.
With the warm weather, anglers are seeing Quill Gordons, Grannoms and Hendricksons hatching. The Grannom hatch is tapering off. 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.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass using crankbaits, large streamer patterns and live minnows.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Crappie are beginning to stage for spawning. Anglers are currently catching them, just off the shallows and down at the spillway. Live minnows and chartreuse twister tails/paddle tails are working well.
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the high 40s to low 50s. Recent rain events have increased flows. The water has some color to it as well. Upper Spring Creek is fishing well. The Grannoms are tapering off, but a few anglers are still catching trout using Grannom emergers.
There are still a few suckers spawning, so make sure you stash a few orange/yellow egg patterns in your box. Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. hot spot sow bug, walt’s worm, black zebra midge, green weenie, caddis larvae patterns). Zebra midges are still 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).
A few sulphurs have been spotted, but trout aren’t rising to them yet. With warm weather approaching later this week, that could change.
Anglers are catching trout on lower Spring Creek, using spinners and live bait.
Southeastern Region
Berks County
The in-season trout stockings are underway and about to wrap up. Due to high, muddy water the first few days of the Southeast season opener, plenty of trout remain in the stocked waters and should provide extended angling opportunities.
Crappies have been biting at Kaercher Dam, located in Windsor Township, just east of Hamburg Borough; some up to 17” have been caught recently.
Boating and fishing has been heating up at Blue Marsh Lake. Remember to check your life jackets for serviceability, ensure your fire extinguisher is charged and operational, and your boat registration is up to date before heading out on the water.
In two weeks, (May 6), Walleyes will be back in season, try your luck on the Spring Creek arm of the lake, or head over to the Stilling Basin and fish the tail race.
Bucks County
The East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Tohickon Creek and the Delaware Canal Section 5 stretches get another stocking of trout today, 4/26. In the canal, try green paste bait and meal worms.