Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
The Marina will be opening on April 15th. Small craft operators are reminded to wear their life jackets during the cold water season (November 1st to April 30th).
Glade Run Lake (PFBC Property)
This lake will be stocked with on April 5th in anticipation of the mentored Youth Trout Day on April 8th. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the lake on April 12th. Besides being open on April 8th from 8am – 7:30pm for the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day, the lake will officially open at 8am on Saturday April 15th. Please review and abide by regulations posted in various locations on the property.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Walleyes and crappies are starting to be caught. The Spillway has been busy lately. Anglers are catching crappie and Yellow Perch in several of the northern bays. A minnow tipped jig under a float seems to be producing well.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and panfish at the north end.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Kahle lake continues to be in a drawdown state. The level of the lake has been raised approximately 3 feet. If no problems exist, the lake will be maintained at this level. Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass, Bluegills, crappies & some nice Yellow Perch. 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 Walleyes, 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 and kayaks must be registered or have a launch permit to use these facilities.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching some Smallmouth Bass and 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.
Beaver Creek Ponds Project
Currently the Beaver Ponds are closed to all fishing.
Piney Creek DHALO Area
The Piney Creek DHALO Area was stocked on 3/28/17. Anglers have been doing well there. Anglers are reminded that use or possession of bait is prohibited while fishing in the project waters.
Canoe Creek, Beaver Creek, Turkey Run & Richey Run
Canoe Creek, Beaver Creek, Turkey Run & Richey Run were stocked on 3/22/17. (Note: during the Turkey Run stocking, no trout were stocked at the intersection of SR 338 & SR 58 due to the bridge replacement project there). A special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 55 for assisting with the stocking.
Piney Creek, the Piney Creek DHALO Area and Leatherwood Creek
Piney Creek, the Piney Creek DHALO Area and Leatherwood Creek were stocked on 3/28/17.
Redbank Creek
Redbank Creek was stocked on 3/30/17.
Upcoming Trout Stockings
4/6/17 – Bear & Silver Creeks (Butler Co) & East Sandy Creek (Clarion Co) – Meet the stocking truck at 11:30am at the Bruin Bowling Alley located on SR 268 in the borough of Bruin.
4/10/17 – Cathers Run & Mill Creek – Meet the stocking truck at 10:45 am the Leeper Red & White store located at the intersections of SR 36 & SR 66 in Leeper.
4/14/17 – Toms Run – Meet the stocking truck at 11:00 am at the Cooks Forest State Park office located on state route 36 in Cooksburg.
Western Erie County
Fairview Gravel Pit
The Fairview Gravel Pit remains closed to fishing until the opening day of trout season on April 15, 2017.
Presque Isle Bay
Yellow Perch fishing in the Bay is very good at the moment. Shiners and small crawlers are the bait of choice.
Area Steelhead Waters
Anglers are catching a few Steelhead on Upper Elk Creek and at the mouth of Walnut Creek. Crooked Creek is still getting some fresh Steelhead towards the mouth but the run has really slowed down.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Crappies and panfish are plentiful at Launch three and Sheakleyville Road.
Northeasatern Region
Upcoming Programs
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: fbweb.pa.gov/calendar/
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.
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: fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS
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 Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
As the snow melts and the rains begin, the rivers within the district are very high and moving very fast. The forecasted rains have the potential to push these already high streams over their banks so please be careful if you are participating in the Mentored Youth Trout Day that is taking place on Saturday, April 8th. For more information on this program please visit: http://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Pages/MentoredYouthProgram.aspx
The first trout stocking occurred in the district on 3-28-17 for the Lackawaxen River. The trout looked very good and the Golden Rainbows were very big!
Now is the time to get that fishing gear ready to go as opening day is only two weeks away. If you are planning to fish from a boat this trout season remember that you are required to wear a PFD on all bats less than 16 feet including all canoes and kayaks. Also 03-31-2017 was the last day for boat registrations to be valid so make sure you have a current registration on you boats.
Southern Wayne and Pike Counties
Recent snowfall events, combined with runoff have left streams in the district running high and this is creating difficult fishing conditions in the Special Regulation Waters. For a list of Special Regulations that are open year round please go to fishandboat.com and look at the interactive maps.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Angers are catching trout in some of the special regulation areas using spoons and spinners. Parents and kids are anxiously awaiting the PFBC’s Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day, April 8, 2017!!
Hills Creek Lake
– Anglers are catching bass and Yellow Perch. Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. The Yellow Perch are getting ready to spawn.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
– The water is high and has some 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; stonefly nymphs). Anglers are also catching a few trout using olive/black streamers size 6-10.
Streamers are moving fish a few trout. Target the “soft water”, near the banks and structure (e.g. logs, large stones etc).
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).
Centre County
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, Bald Eagle Launch and Lower Greens Run Launch are the best areas to utilize at this time for boating.
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Crappie and a few bass off the exposed roadbed, running from Summer/Winter Launch to Bald Eagle Launch. Red worms on the bottom, rubber twister tails, suspended from a bobber and minnows are working best.
Anglers are also catching Yellow Perch near the Hunter Run access area and Lower Greens Run.
Spring Creek
The water temperature is in the low 40s. Water levels are up and there is a little bit of color to the water. More rain is predicted for later this week.
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). 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). A few Grannom Caddis are coming off on lower Spring Creek, below Bellefonte. Make sure you stash a few size #14, Grannom Caddis patterns in your vest. 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.
Southeastern Region
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 have again been restocked with trout. The stocking locations for the Big Elk Creek were Camp Saginaw at 39-46’08.0″ North and 75-54’53.5″ West, Saginaw Road Bridge at 39-45’44.7″ North and 75-55’13.1″ West, Kings Row Road at bend at 39-45’31.0″ North and 75-54’48.3″ West, Kings Row Road Covered Bridge at 39-45’22.3″ North, 75-54’44.5″ West, State Road Bridge at 39-45’02.2″ North and 75-54’03.0 West, and Bonsall Road Bridge at 39-44’44.5″ North and 75-52’57.7″ West.
The White Clay Creek Middle Branch Section 2, from T364 (Good Hope Road Bridge) to SR3009 (Guernsey Road) has been stocked with trout. The stocking locations for the White Clay Middle Branch Section 2, were Guernsey Road Bridge at 39-48’12.4″ North and 75-50’02.9″ West, East Avondale Road Bridge at Chambers Road at 39-47’46.5″ North and 75-49’29.5″ West, Wickerton Road Stop #1 at 39-47’37.3″ North and 75-49’24.3″ West, Wickerton Road Stop #2at 39-47’19.7″ North and 75-49’11.9″ West, Wickerton Road Bridge and Pennock Bridge Road at 39-47’10.3 North and 75-49’01.8 West, Church Hill Road and Creek Road at 39-47’20.8″ North and 75-48’08.8″ West, Creek Road (Dirt Road) Stop #1 at 39-47’11.8″ North and 75-48’10.1″ West, Creek Road (Bend on Dirt Road) Stop #2 at 39-47’02.8″ North and 75-48’10.9″ West, Chesterville & Creek Road Bridge at 39-46’54.3″ North and 75-48’01.8″ West, North Creek Road (200 Block) Stop #3 at 39-46’10.1″ North and 75-47’53.6″ West, Mercer Mill Road Bridge at 39-45’59.4″ North and 75-47’41.9″ West, and North Creek Road Stop #4 above Delayed Harvest Area and Good Hope Road at 39-45’46.9″ North and 75-47’09.8″ West.
The White Clay Fly-Tying club will meet at 6PM on Thursday, April 6 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 as spin a few stories about the last huge one that got away. 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 Orvis Store in Downingtown at 70 Quarry Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335 will offer a free course Fly-Fishing 101 on Sunday April 9 from 9:00AM till 11:45AM. The course will cover everything that the beginning fly fisherman 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 https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event;jsessionid=E825E4068532F4CC85776885A45E7118?llr=hkbrtgrab&oeidk=a07edvco5d7876e2f29
The L.L. Bean Store in King of Prussia will offer a free class, Kayak Essentials, on Thursday, April 6 from 7 to 8P. You will have a chance to find out about the different types of kayaks, sit on and sit in, for example, as well as kayaking techniques. This is an in store class, so you do not have to worry about the weather or what to wear. 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/ods/33?nav=bc&STORE_CITY_STATE=[25]&EVENT_TYPE=[0]&EVENT_LEVEL=[0]&PRICE_RANGE=[0]
The L.L. Bean Store in King of Prussia will offer a free class, Spin Casting 101, on Tuesday, April 11 from 7 to 8P. You will have a chance to listen to a find out about the latest and greatest in spin fishing equipment, which is one of the best types of fishing to learn the art of fishing on. You will also consider the different combinations of rods and reels available and which are best suited to which types of fish. 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
While I have not seen any huge crappie caught just yet, the bite is on. I am seeing large numbers of nice crappies starting to come out of Octoraro Reservoir. Anglers are catching them fishing underneath the Bridge on Route 472, by fishing near the bridge structure using both, small minnows or fathead minnows fished deep under a pencil bobber, or by using traditional crappie baits. If using a minnow, keep changing the depth until you find the one that works. I have measured a 15 ½ inch crappie at Octoraro Reservoir in past years and have no reason to not expect the same this year. Boat anglers doing a bit better because they are better able to find the structure and locate a school. Boat rentals, (rowboats are inexpensive to rent, it is the motor that makes it expensive), can be had at Octoraro Reservoir and Marsh Creek Reservoirs. Usually this time of year if you can find one fish, then you will find a school.
The White Clay Creek East Branch, Section 2, from Glen Willow Orchard to the White Clay Creek Preserve Boundary has been stocked with trout. This section is approved trout waters and is closed to fishing until 8 AM on the regional opening day, this year that is April 1st at 8 AM. 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″ West, 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, to the others for float stocking, and the individuals who assisted.
The White Clay Creek, Section 1, from the confluence of the East Branch and the Middle Branch of the White Clay Creeks to the Pennsylvania and Delaware State line has been stocked with trout. This section is approved trout waters and is closed to fishing until 8 AM on the regional opening day which is April 1st at 8 AM. The stocking location for the White Clay Creek, Section 1, was Parking Lot #2 in the White Clay Creek Preserve at 39-44’58.0″ North and 75-46’14.1″ West. Two floats located at the confluence with the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Area were loaded with the trout and then the section was stocked to the Delaware State Line.
SW Montgomery County/W. Philadelphia County
With the warmer spring weather, angling and boating activity is picking up. Paddlers heading out on the water are reminded that the cold water PFD mandatory wear period remains in effect through the end of April. Pre-season stockings went off without a hitch, and mentored youth day was a great success! Despite the heavy rains preceding regional opening day of trout season, opening day saw surprising numbers of anglers on Stony Creek and Kepner Creek having unexpected success, especially considering the less than ideal stream conditions. Even the Skippack, despite looking more like a mudslide than a trout stream, saw some anglers out on opening day, and quite a few were actually catching some pretty nice trout too! Those who weren’t were still having fun though, and I don’t know how many times I heard the old saying “The worst day fishing is still better than the best day at work!”
E Philadelphia County/SE Montgomery County
This year marked another successful Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day in our area. Over 210 youth and mentors fished in the Wissahickon Creek. Some upcoming trout stockings include the April 11 and May 2 in the Wissahickon Creek, and April 5 and 27 in the Pennypack Creek. Please come out and join us for some fun and fishing.
Lancaster County
The Donegal Fish & Conservation Assoc. with special permission from the Donegal Presbyterian Church, located at 1891 Donegal Springs Rd. Mount Joy, will host its annual “Kids Fishing Derby.” The event is scheduled to take place at the reflecting pond on the grounds of the historic Donegal Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 8, 2017. Fishing will be from 8:00A to 11:00A for all youths 11 years and under. All fishing will stop at 11A and absolutely no fishing may take place on the church grounds after that time. Also welcome are all handicapped anglers who possess a current PA fishing license. D.F.C.A. members will be on hand until 11:30A to help fisherman; however, it is necessary for each fisherman to bring their own equipment and clean their own fish. All participants must register with the D.F.C.A. the day of the event. Parking will be permitted ONLY in the Donegal Presbyterian Church Parking Area (no street parking), no exceptions. If you have any questions, or would like to help with the derby, please contact club President Brian Cunningham (717) 413-7454. There will be no rain date.
The D.F.C.A. is a local non-profit organization, which is dedicated to restoring the Donegal Watershed to its original state. In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the D.F.C.A. has raised over 4000 trout annually since 1964, for stocking in the Donegal Creek. There will be more than 500 Brook, Rainbow, Golden Rainbow and Brown Trout stocked for the participants to catch and take home.
IMPORTANT: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission WCOs and their deputies will be monitoring the area after the derby. Violators will be subject to maximum penalties under the PFBC Rules and Regulations. Anglers must abide by all regulations set forth by the PA Fish and Boat Commission including their “Assistance to Children” regulations on Page 8 of the PFBC Summary Handbook. Also found here:
The youth or angler who catches the largest trout at the derby will receive a taxidermy mounting gift certificate from a local taxidermist.
In addition, the Donegal Presbyterian Church will be holding a pancake breakfast to coincide with the fishing derby and the meal will be open to the general public. The breakfast will consist of pancakes, sausage and juice for a suggested donation of $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 9 years old and under. Coffee will also be available at a nominal cost. Breakfast will be served from 7AM until 11AM in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs of the church). The proceeds of the pancake breakfast benefit the church’s annual Mission Tour to upstate New York. The church website is: donegalpresbyterianchurch.org