Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Hybrid Striped Bass fishing has started to pick up in many of the shallow bays and the flats in front of the dam. HSB fishing should reach its peak in the next couple of weeks. Walleye fishing has not been as productive. Jigging a night crawler off of the old (submerged) 422 road bed was a good technique last year and may be worth a try. Crappie fishing has been outstanding if you can find the right locations. Try using a minnow under a float combination suspended over submerged brush piles or weed beds. Boating season on Lake Arthur is finally here. Please keep in mind to have all of the necessary safety equipment on board when you are out on the water. If you need a boater’s safety handbook, stop by the park office or ask an officer.
Big Run, Slippery Rock Creek, Neshannock Creek
Anglers are catching stocked trout throughout the county. Live bait still seems to be the best bait including night crawlers and meal worms although fish were still being caught on spinners and paste baits.
Slippery Rock Creek
This was the last waterway in Butler/Lawrence County to be stocked this spring. It received its allotment of trout on 5/26. For those looking for a trout fishing hotspot, this is it. The creek was stocked from the Crestview Road Bridge in Slippery Rock, to the Harris Bridge; downstream of McConnell’s Mills State Park.
Central Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
Smallmouth Bass fishing is hot right now in the bay. Anglers seem to be mostly located in the areas around Niagara Boat Launch and Perry’s Monument in the shallows. Please remember that the creel limit for bass is 1 bass at 20 inches. The regular season opens on June 17th and then its 4 bass at 15 Inches.
Lake Erie
Anglers are catching Walleye via the shoreline around the mouths of creeks. Lake anglers are having some success as well.
NOTE: During the month of June there are several activities scheduled for Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. Please keep a sharp lookout for safety boats and swimmers and one weekend we’ll have an influx of very fast boats running around the area.
Western Erie County
Area Trout Waters
Fishing in Western Erie County has been steady over the past few weeks. Anglers are catching trout at the Fairview Gravel Pit, Crooked Creek, and Walnut Creek. Fairview Gravel Pit
Anglers are catching crappie at the Fairview Gravel Pit, just before dusk seems to be the hot time.
Walnut and Elk Creek
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass at the mouth of both Walnut and Elk Creek. Lake Erie
Anglers out on Lake Erie have had success catching Yellow Perch in about 40 feet of water directly out of Walnut Creek all the way to the Ohio Line.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Smallmouth Bass continue to top the catch chart.
REMINDER(S):
Walleye season opened on May 6th. Anglers have reported several nice catches on artificial lures and crankbaits, particularly in and around the Oil City area.
Immediately prior to the Memorial Day weekend, catfish anglers frequented the Allegheny River shoreline from dusk onward. Flathead Catfish were the most abundant of the reported catches and live bait as well as cut bait (in the current) were successful.
Bass season is closed to harvest until Saturday, June 17th, 2017. Until that time, anglers are restricted to catch and release only; bass must be IMMEDIATELY returned to the water, unharmed.
French Creek
Anglers are catching Walleye and the occasional Northern Pike throughout the waterway.
Oil Creek
The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure area(s) [DHALO] are closed to harvest until June 15th. During the period of June 15th through Labor Day, the daily creel limit is three (3) combined species of trout AND minimum size limit is nine (9) inches.
Justus Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill in the shallows using both ants and jigs. Electric motors, operating with current registration, are permitted on Justus Lake. The use of internal combustion engines is PROHIBITED.
WATERCRAFT REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT PFBC LAKES/ACCESS AREAS:
Boaters are reminded that non-powered watercraft, which otherwise would not require registration, are required to display either current registration or a valid launch permit when launching or retrieving at all PFBC lakes and/or access areas. Additionally, please utilize the minimal time necessary to launch and retrieve your watercraft, regardless of type. Tie-down, organize, clean, and cover your craft away from the launch ramp and surrounding area. Minimize the time that you actually restrict/block access and additional recreational use of the launch area itself. A little foresight and consideration by EVERYBODY will help ensure and enjoyable experience by the majority of PFBC Access users.
Northeasatern Region
Carbon County
Prior to the recent rain storms, anglers fishing most of the stocked trout waters in the district were still reporting seeing and catching trout. The Lizard Creek in East Penn Twp. had been recently stocked by local sportsmen’s clubs with trout for fishing contests and a good number of the trout have held over from the stocking. Most of the trout are being caught on live minnows, paste baits and various fly patterns.
Anglers fishing the Lehigh River in the area of the East Penn Twp. boat launch continue to report doing well catching trout using spinners, stick baits and various fly patterns. It appears that a good number of trout have held over since the recent Lunker Fest trout stocking by a local sportsmen’s club.
Anglers have been catching nice size crappies at Mauch Chunk Lake in the area of the fishing pier at boat launch A. Live minnows appear to be working best. Pickerel and bass (catch & release only) fishing has been very good in recent days in the area of boat launch B.
Striped bass were active at Beltzville Lake in the area of Preachers Camp access. A number of walleye were also reported being caught in the Preachers Camp area.
Boaters are reminded to check all of the required safety equipment on their boats before venturing out onto the water. In addition, please check to make sure your boat is properly registered. Motorboats and boats powered by an electric motor must display a proper motorboat registration. Unpowered boats such as canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, etc. launching at Commission lakes or access areas including PA State Parks launch or access areas must display either a Commission launch use permit or a PA State Parks launch permit or mooring permit.
Remember, alcohol is not permitted at Beltzville Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake on both the water and shore areas. Laws pertaining to the possession and or use of alcoholic beverages are strictly enforced.
Southern Luzerne & Southern Columbia Counties
Fishing activity on the Lehigh River continues to be hot for trout. Anglers are finding most success with wax worms, night crawlers or minnows, and those die hard fly anglers are doing well fishing nymphs. Dry flies have also been producing early and late in the day.
Crappie fishing at Francis E. Walter Reservoir has been really heating up with anglers doing well with jigs tipped with fathead minnows. Some nice trout are also being caught in the river arm of the reservoir.
There are still plenty of trout to be had on the local trout streams, and anglers are still catching fish on Roaring Creek, as well as the Nescopeck and Wapwallopen Creeks.
Activity on the Susquehanna River has been slow, but expect that to change as water temperatures begin to heat up. The cool weather, along with all of the rain has done little to help the bass or walleye fishing, but those seeking catfish have had success.
Lily Lake has been giving up some trout and crappies, but anglers have had to work for them. The common consensus is that the most difficult part is finding them. With the buoys in place on Lily Lake for the high speed zone, please remember the wake restrictions in effect prior to noon.
Those boating Francis Walter reservoir are reminded of the horsepower restriction on that waterway as well; 10hp. With boating season barely underway, there have already been a number of fatal boat accidents across the state. Boaters are encouraged to wear a personal flotation device at all times-it floats, you don’t.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
With the opening days of trout season behind us, the streams here in the district are still running cool temperaturess and the trout fishing is still doing well. The Lackawaxen River and Masthope Creek are still providing some great trout fishing. The other lakes and ponds are doing very well with all types of panfish. The Shad run in the Delaware River is almost over but there have been reports of some still being caught above the Zane Gray Access.
Lake Wallenpaupack had a good run on Striped Bass in April and then slowed down but they are starting to come alive again. Walleye are also beginning to bite in the early to late evening time slots. Stripers and walleye both are being caught on live bait.
Boating season has been slow to start this year because of the unusual cold temps here in the Northeast. As you venture out in your boats be sure that you have all of the required safety equipment on board and that you continue to be safe. Wearing your PFD’s in not only a smart thing to do but the responsible thing to do. Set a good example for your family and friends.
Northcentral Region
Get your license ONLINE – gonefishingpa.com/
Tioga County
With recent rain events, anglers can expect good trout fishing opportunities throughout most of the stocked trout waters.
Many of the County’s Wild Trout Streams and Class A Wild Trout Streams are having wonderful mayfly hatches. Anglers are catching trout using Green Drakes, Sulphurs, Slate Drakes, Black Ants, Pine Creek Specials, and as always, soft hackle patterns and nymphs.
Pine Creek
Anglers, floating Pine Creek, are catching trout using a variety of streamer patterns in the early morning. Casting toward shore and retrieving back to the boat is working best.
As Smallmouth Bass season approaches, anglers should expect to catch bass throughout Pine Creek, from the dam in Galeton to the mouth of Pine Creek, in Jersey Shore.
If you are interested in a new fishing niche or species to pursue, try fishing for Walleye within Pine Creek. Focus on deeper water and try fishing from sun up to just about 9 A.M. Walleye love crank baits and live minnows!
Tioga River
Anglers are catching Walleye at the spillway. Chartreuse crank baits, live fathead minnows and night crawlers are working best.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Crappie and Bluegill. Pay attention to your cast, as vegetation is currently causing issues while retrieving your lures.
Beechwood, Hammond, Tioga and Cowanesque Lakes
Anglers are catching panfish throughout each lake. There is not as much vegetation to fight at these lakes. Live minnows and worms are working well.
Nessmuck Lake
– The lake is now open to fishing and boating! Keep in mind that, although you can fish, there is a “Catch and Release” regulation on the lake to allow the stocked fish to establish a healthy population over the next few years.
Potter County
Waterways across the County are ideal for kayaking and canoeing. Spring rains have helped maintain good water levels.
Crappie fishing hasn’t been ideal, but with warm temperatures returning soon, you can expect that to change quickly!
Lyman Lake
Many anglers are fishing for trout from canoes/kayaks. Anglers are catching trout using paste baits, worms and live minnows.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water temperature is in the mid 50s. The water level and color are just right.
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 #6-10). Most trout are eating below the water surface, but will rise during heave hatches.
Make sure you stash a few dry flies in your box (e.g. Slate Drake #10-12; March Brown #12; midges #22-26, Bluewing Olives size #18-22, Tan Caddis #12-14).
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Crappie and Bluegill, using worms and live minnows.
Spring Creek
After recent rain events, the water is still up a bit, but fishable. The Sulpher hatch is nearly done; however, anglers are still catching trout using Sulpher and caddis nymphs/emergers.
Anglers are catching most of their trout subsurface, using nymphs (e.g. sulphur nymphs, hot spot sow bug, walt’s worm, black zebra midge, deep sparkle pupa and a variety of other caddis larvae patterns).
Anglers are also catching trout using dry flies (e.g. x-caddis tan #14-18; sulphur#14-16; blue wing olives sizes #18-22; midges sizes 22-26).
Southeastern Region
Get your license ONLINE – http://www.gonefishingpa.com/
Bucks County
Bucks County has two lakes that are enrolled in PA Fish and Boat Commission’s Big Bass Program. They are Nockamixon Lake and nearby Lake Towhee.
Nockamixon Lake is a state park lake, information on visiting this 1450 acre lake is available here:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/nockamixon/
For anglers and boaters not familiar with Nockamixon, it is noteworthy that the lake has a maximum 20 horsepower limit for boat motors. The lake and accesses are open 24 hrs a day for fishing and boating activities.
Lake Towhee is a 540 acre Bucks County Park with a small impoundment. Information is available here: http://www.buckscounty.org/government/ParksandRecreation/Parks/Towhee
The Big Bass Regulations protect the smaller bass from harvest, and both of these lakes have some great bass fishing. These two Big Bass Lakes have a minimum size for bass harvest of 15”, daily limit of 4 Bass for the season: Jan 1 through April 14 and June 17 through December 31st.
April 15 through June 16 – No Harvest, catch and immediate release only
Seasons, sizes and limits are available here:
http://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/bigbass.html
Montgomery County / W.Philadelphia County
May saw a dramatic increase in fishing and boating activity in the district. Anglers are reminded to stay aware of current rules and regulations, and boaters are encouraged to review the boating summary to be sure to stay on top of boating rules and regulations. Most of all, be safe, have fun, and watch out for one another as summer goes into full swing.