Northwest Region
Clarion County
Kahle lake
The level of the lake has been raised approximately 3 feet. If no problems exist the lake will be maintained at this level. The new shoreline cover that was created by the drawdown is now partially submerged due to the water level being brought back up. With the warm temperatures, the area has been experiencing the lake has come alive with anglers and boaters. Anglers are reporting catching large numbers of Largemouth Bass, nice Bluegills, crappies, and some Yellow Perch. Anglers and boaters are reminded that Kahle Lake is a PFBC owned lake. All boats, including canoes & kayaks must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Piney Dam
Anglers are reporting some bass, 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
When the water levels have been down anglers are reporting catching some Smallmouth Bass & Walleyes.
Redbank Creek
Anglers are catching nice sized trout from the county line to the dam in New Bethlehem. A few Walleyes and Northern Pike have been reported below the dam in New Bethlehem.
Beaver Creek Ponds Project
Currently the Beaver Ponds are closed to all fishing.
Piney Creek DHALO Area
Anglers are catching some trout in this area. Anglers are reminded that the use or possession of bait and the keeping or possession of trout while fishing in the project waters is prohibited.
Stocked Trout Streams
Anglers have been doing well on Redbank Creek, Mill Creek, Canoe Creek, Turkey Run & Richey Run. Toms Run was stocked on 4/27, Redbank Creek was stocked on 4/25, Mill Creek, Canoe Creek & Turkey Run was stocked on 4/19.
Eastern Erie County
Northeast Marina
The docks are in at the Northeast Marina. Anglers are starting to pick up a few Lake Trout when favorable conditions on Lake Erie exist.
Venango County
Big Run, Slippery Rock Creek, Neshannock Creek
Mentored youth day and statewide opening trout were great days for catching trout. Anglers were catching trout on a variety of bait and lures. Meal worms seemed to be the biggest hit for people using live bait. Anglers also caught trout on night crawlers, minnows, paste bait, and spinners
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, crappie, Bluegill, and catfish in the shallows. Remember to check your boat’s registration sticker before you venture out on the lake as a blue “17” sticker expired on March 31 of 2017.
Shenango River
The Shenango Outflow down to the Walnut Street Bridge is designated as a year round trout fishery, so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish that area regardless of the species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting.
Area Trout Stocked Waters
Trout are being restocked within the next couple of weeks to replenish the trout that were harvested from the opening day. This is a great opportunity to get out on the streams without very much angler pressure. Remember, your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 911.
Northeasatern Region
In-season trout stockings are in full swing. 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
Stocked trout streams across the region are full of trout and anglers have been doing very well. The heavy rains that we have been receiving have the trout spread out throughout the streams and many anglers are finding success throughout entire sections. Those anglers that are willing to walk a little have been rewarded with nice trout that have not been harassed as many anglers fish close to access points.
High flows have created dangerous wading conditions in many streams so sticking to the banks and avoiding wading until flows are reduced is recommended for a fun and safe day on the water.
These high flows have been affecting stream anglers so if you want to fish without battling fast and muddy water then try out the lakes for panfish, bass and stocked trout. When fishing lakes the fish are typically grouped together so if you can find one you can catch a few. The cooler weather will push the best times into the afternoon and evening to fish as the water will be a bit warmer and fish more active.
Northcentral Region
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Tioga County
Like much of central PA, Tioga County was hit by a fast moving, strong storm yesterday. Despite its brevity, the quick, heavy rain, muddied several of the local waters.
Anglers are catching Crappie in the early morning and late evening hours. A few are being caught just off shore, during the day. With cooler temperatures moving in this weekend, the Crappie might stay offshore a bit longer.
A good way to find the Crappie just offshore is fan-casting from one point and slowly reeling a bladed jig, twister tail or minnow. Cover the water until you find schools of fish.
Many of the Crappie are holding approximately 3-4 feet down. With the stained waters, chartreuse or firetiger colors of the Northland Thumper king are working well in locating fish.
Anglers are catching bass on all of the local lakes. Bass are beginning to move in shallow for the spawn. A number of hefty 4-6 lb fish are being caught right now on a variety of techniques. Topwater, squarebills, jigs, creatures, and senkos are all yielding fish in less than 10 feet of water.
Hamilton Lake
The lake was recently re-stocked. Anglers are catching trout using Kastmaster and Thomas spoons in gold, silver, copper and rainbow trout patterns. Butterworms, rosey reds and wax worms are also working.
Pine Creek
Water levels are high and the stream is off color. It will take a few days to return to normal and/or fishable levels. More rain is on the way later this week; therefore, water levels might stay high.
Anglers, braving the weather and water levels, are catching trout in the back eddies and/or waters along the bank. They are using large streamer patterns or spinners. Dark colors are working best. Night crawlers and red worms will also work. Look for areas that break the current (e.g. downed trees, boulders and eddies), where fish can hold without fighting currents.
Potter County
Fishing and boating are back in full swing in Potter Co. Anglers are fishing nearly all trout waters, especially the stocked trout streams and Lyman Run Lake. Anglers are reporting success on all types of tackle from live bait to dry flies. Recent rain events spread trout throughout the stream, so some hiking may be needed to get to location where trout are holding.
Boaters are enjoying high water, hitting some white water during the early spring runs. Make sure you are wearing your life vest and scouting your target stream/river for strainers (e.g. downed trees and/or other debris; challenging sites). Before heading out on a float, make sure you leave your float plan with a family member and a friend.
Lyman Lake
Kayakers and canoeists are enjoying the lake. Some are boating to relax, others are boating to target trout in areas inaccessible to fish from the banks
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Recent rain events increased water flow and muddied the water. The water temperature is in the high 40s to low 50s. The stream will be up and muddy for the next few days. With more rain predicted on Friday, the conditions may not change until early next week.
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.
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 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 high 40s to low 50s. Recent rain events have increased flows and muddied the water. Upper Spring Creek is fishing well, despite the high water. There is a lot of debris floating down stream from the recent storm event. Make sure you are always looking upstream when fishing to make sure a log doesn’t knock you over. Lower Spring Creek is high and moving fast.
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!
Bring a few worm patterns with you and target the banks.
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. The trout are still taking tan caddis.
Anglers are catching trout on lower Spring Creek, using spinners and live bait.
Southeastern Region
The East Branch Perkiomen Creek (Montgomery County) (900M UPS OF SR1017 SKIP SAL RD –to- T356 BERGEYS MILL RD) received its in-season stocking of Trout on April 25. This section only receives fish in-season so this is your chance to get out and enjoy a wonderful stretch of the East Branch. The fish were stocked at Camp Wawa Park, Bergey’s Mills Park, and Salford Park. All three parks offer lots of parking and plenty of room for families to experience a wonderful trout fishing opportunity.
Lancaster County
In-Season Stocking Report:
The week of April 16 realized completion of trout stocking in Southern Lancaster County (South of Rt. 30) and began in-season stocking of Northern Lancaster County (North of Rt. 30)
On Tuesday, April 18, the Pequea Creek received [From Wanner Drive Bridge to 100 Meters Downstream from School Lane Road] an in-season plant of Rainbow and Brown Trout.
On Wednesday April 19, the Hammer Creek, Sections #2 [From the Twp. 325 Hammer Creek Road Bridge to the SR322 Bridge]. Section #4 [Snavely Mill Road to Brunnerville Road Bridge] and Section #6 [From Clay Road to The Mouth At Cocalico Creek] received an in-season plant of Rainbow and Brown Trout. With its headwaters located in Lebanon County in the hills south of Rexmont Road, the Hammer Creek flows for an approximate 19.2 miles before entering the Cocalico Creek at 261 Cocalico Road, Lititz. Hammer Creek – Section #2 is an approximate 1.1 mile stretch of the creek, Section #4 traverses approximately 2.6 stream miles and Section #6 meanders for approximately 3.9 miles.
Additionally, the Little Cocalico Creek [From an Unnamed Tributary 250 Meters Upstream of Middle Twp. 989 Resh Road Bridge to the Mouth] received an in-season plant of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
On Thursday, April 20, the West Branch Octoraro Creek -Section 2 – [T-696 Bridge @ Mount Pleasant Road to 27 meters downstream of SR 472], West Branch Octoraro Creek – Section 4, Bowery Run and the West Branch Little Conestoga Creek, received an in-season plant of Rainbow and Brown Trout.
West Branch Octoraro Creek: With its headwaters located at the confluence of Meeting House Creek and Nickel Mine Creek [at 149 Lamparter Road, Bart Twp.], the West Branch Octoraro Creek flows for an approximate 13 miles before entering the Chester Water Authority’s Octoraro Reservoir approximately 550 yards above the Spruce Grove Road bridge at the Municipal Boundary between Colerain and Little Britain Township. The West Branch Octoraro Creek – Section #2 is an approximate 5 mile stretch of the creek.
On Friday, April 21, the Conoy Creek [From Sagerville Road to the mouth at the Susquehanna] Little Chiques Creek [From a point 100 meters upstream of MT. Pleasant Road to SR 772] and the Little Conestoga Creek [From Powerline just upstream from Twp. 707, Miller Road to Harrisburg Pike] received an in-season plant of Rainbow and Brown Trout.
FLOAT STOCKED SECTIONS OF APPROVED TROUT WATERS
| STOCKED TROUT WATER | SECTION |
| PEQUEA CREEK | DOWNSTREAM FROM SR 897 BRIDGE TO SCHOOL LANE ROAD DOWNSTREAM FROM 5762 BUENA VISTA ROAD |
| HAMMER CREEK – SECT. #4 | DOWNSTREAM FROM SNAVELY’S MILL TO PROXIMITY OF 405 SNAVELY MILL ROAD |
| HAMMER CREEK – SECT. #6 | DOWNSTREAM FROM CARPENTER RD. BRIDGE – DOWNSTREAM FROM BUCH MILL RD. BRIDGE – DOWNSTREAM FROM NEAR 1310 PINE HILL ROAD |
| LITTLE CHIQUES CREEK | DOWNSTREAM FROM MT. PLEASANT ROAD BRIDGE – DOWNSTREAM FROM COVE OUTLOOK PARK |
| LITTLE CONESTOGA CREEK | DOWNSTREAM FROM PPL TO FLORY MILL |
| WEST BRANCH LITTLE CONESTOGA | DOWNSTREAM FROM CENTRAL MANOR ROAD BRIDGE TO LETORT ROAD BRIDGE |
| WEST BRANCH OCTORARO CREEK – SECTION #2 | DOWNSTREAM FROM MT. PLEASANT ROAD COVERED BRIDGE
DOWNSTREAM FROM 180 FAIRVIEW ROAD DOWNSTREAM FROM PA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY – PUMPING STATION |
| WEST BRANCH OCTORARO CREEK – SECTION #4 | DOWNSTREAM FROM PROXIMITY OF 700 WESLEY ROAD |
Anglers Advisory: West Branch Octoraro Creek – Run-of-the-River Dam: Anglers who may opt to wade fish in this immediate area are cautioned to stay clear of the “Exclusionary Zone” as is indicated on the posted safety signage. As for those who work the stream banks, be aware that consistent with PFBC policy fish were not stocked within 200 yards [Upstream/Downstream] of the dam.
Anglers are advised that consistent with the efficiencies and advantages gained by float stocking operations; in several instances traditional stocking points have been eliminated. Specifically in consideration of safety concerns and high-density traffic the PFBC stocking truck is not stopping at Flory Mill on the Little Conestoga Creek. Similarly, the stop on Snavely Mill Road at the crest of the hill [across from 405] on Section #4 of the Hammer Creek has been eliminated. In these instances; float stocking from upstream will result in the movement or direct planting of trout into these stream areas.
Posted Property Advisory
Hammer Creek – Anglers should be aware that the property immediately downstream of the SR 322 Road bridge is the Lancaster County Conservancy’s Upper Hopewell Preserve and is posted to restrict Fishing and Hunting. Anglers should direct any concerns to the Conservancy at http://www.lancasterconservancy.org/preserve/upper-hopewell-nature-preserve/
Safe Boating Course Announced
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 19-04 of Lancaster will be presenting an About Boating Safely course on Saturday, May 6, 2017 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.), at the Muddy Run Recreational Center at Muddy Run Park, 172 Bethesda Church Road West, Holtwood, PA 17532. Classroom check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. Cost will be $25.00 per registrant. Advance reservations are required due to space limitations.
The boat and water safety course topics include: Introduction to Boating, Boating Law, Safety Equipment, Safe Boating, Navigation, Rules of the Road, Trailering, as well as other boating tips. This class is mandatory for all operators of personal water craft, and for persons born after January 1, 1982, who operate a boat with greater than a 25 HP motor. Upon successful completion of the course, all students will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, showing successful completion of the course, which is NASBLA approved.
Send registrant contact information (name, address and phone) along with check made payable to U.S.C.G. Aux., 19-04, to Matthew Samley, FSO-PE, 2309 Bob White Lane, Lancaster, PA 17601 by April 30. For additional information contact Matt at 581-3434.