Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Anglers are catching Walleye and Channel Catfish off the old 422 roadbed by jigging night crawlers off the bottom. Anglers are trolling with crankbaits near the bottom for Walleye, but they are having more success catching Channel Catfish. Anglers are catching panfish using minnows under a bobber over weed beds and/or submerged deadfalls. Anglers are catching a good number of Hybrid Striped Bass at night by boat, but daytime fishing for Hybrid Striped Bass is yielding more jacks than mature fish.
Eastern Erie County
Lake Erie
Anglers are catching Walleye out of North East Marina on Lake Erie. They are in 50 to 60 feet of water, east and west of the marina. Anglers are using crankbaits and crawler harnesses. Anglers are catching a lot of smaller fish, right at the limit of 15 inches. This should mean that the next few years should be excellent for Walleye. The perch fishing on Lake Erie is getting better. Anglers are finding perch in 57 feet of water off the W’s. For current Lake Erie conditions, call Northeast Marina at 814-725-8244.
Lake Pleasant
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Bluegill and trout from boats on Lake Pleasant. Worms and minnows are the go to bait.
Lake LeBoeuf
Anglers are catching crappie in Lake LeBoeuf. Small crankbaits are the ticket. Anglers are catching some Northern Pike off the dock as well.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching several Smallmouth Bass using tube jigs and live bait. River levels are low and weeds will become more prevalent, which can cause some navigation issues for jet boat operators.
Tionesta Lake
Anglers are catching several Smallmouth Bass which is a change compared to previous years.
Tionesta Creek
Tionesta Creek from Kellettville to Nebraska Bridge is still productive for Smallmouth Bass and Muskellunge fishing. Water levels are low, which could make navigation of a canoe or kayak difficult. Anglers have been successful catching catfish from Nebraska Bridge.
Clarion River
Water levels are low; however, anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass and an occasional Walleye. Boaters are reminded that children 12 years of age and younger must wear a PFD while underway while in a canoe, kayak, or boats 20 feet in length or less. Boaters should also be aware of State Park regulations while navigating through Cook Forest State Park.
Northeasatern Region
Lackawanna County
Water levels at Elmhurst Reservoir are still low with about 30 feet of shoreline exposed. This makes accessing more locations to fish easier. The fishing at Elmhurst has been good all year with anglers still catching crappie, bluegill and bass on a regular basis.
Curtis Reservoir is at full capacity and the fishing has been good all year as well. Some nice Largemouth Bass have been caught and returned to the water near the dam area using live bait.
Reminder: Boats are prohibited at ALL PA American Water Company reservoirs.
Carbon County
With the recent rain storms occurring, most of the district’s waterways are flowing higher than normal. Fishing activity on most of the trout stocked waters is light with no activity occurring with the exception of Mauch Chunk Creek, and the Pohopoco Creek downstream of the outflow of Beltzville Lake. A few anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Creek have reported catching their limit of trout. An angler recently fishing the Pohopoco Creek near Parryville was observed catching a brown trout measuring 20 inches.
Anglers have been reporting doing well catching Smallmouth Bass on the Lehigh River near Parryville, Bowmanstown and the Palmerton sections of the river.
Mauch Chunk Lake has been producing nice size panfish in recent days. Most of the panfish have been caught by boat anglers fishing the areas of the lake near Boat Launch A and the upper reaches of Boat Launch B. Successful anglers have been using small jigs tipped with meal worms. Some anglers have reported catching between thirty to fifty panfish during their fishing trip to the lake. Crappie action was good near the area of the fishing pier at Boat Launch A. Anglers reported good success using a jig tipped with a minnow or mealworm. Bass action still remains good at the lake. However, most bass being caught are less than the minimum size of fifteen inches as the lake is governed by the Big Bass Program Regulations.
Anglers fishing Beltzville Lake have been reporting good success catching bass near the upper reaches of Preachers Camp access and near the powerline area of the lake. Striped Bass action appears to be good during the evening or early morning hours on the lake. Anglers fishing along the shoreline areas of Pine Run bay area of the lake were observed doing well catching white bass using chicken liver.
Boaters are reminded to check all of the required safety equipment on their boats such as an appropriated sized USCG Approved personal flotation device for each person on the boat; a type IV USCG Approved throw device (boats 16’ or more in length, except canoes & kayaks); USCG Approved Fire Extinguisher (if required); Sound Device; and the navigation lights (must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility) are in working order.
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.
Northcentral Region
Get your license ONLINE – gonefishingpa.com/
Centre County
Sayers Lake
Anglers have been reporting Channel Catfish at Upper & Lower Greens Access areas in the evening hours. Best set up has been with chicken livers or nightcrawlers fished on a bottom rig in the coves. Crappies have also been reported in the causeway area using minnows or twistertails. Bass have been reported along the submerged roadbeds using a combination of rubberworms and spinnerbait.
Black Moshannon Lake
Anglers have reported bass, pickerel and perch fishing from the shoreline around the pier. Most success has been with minnows or nightcrawlers. The edges of the weedbeds seem to produce the best results.
Spring Creek
Anglers have been reporting catching trout on all sections using a variety of dry flies, streamers, and live bait. The bite has been a bit slow due to some heavy rain in the area.
Penns Creek
Anglers have been reporting trout in the misc. special regulation sections from Coburn downstream. Anglers have been reporting success using a dryflies, spinners and live bait.
Potter County
Boating traffic has mostly been limited to lakes and larger streams as most streams are at seasonal low levels. Pleasure boatrs, kayaks, canoes and fishing boats have all been active on the bigger lakes.
The fishing in the streams has remained productive however the fish have become a little more selective in their diet. As the water warms they are heading for cooler or deeper waters. The lakes have remained productive for bass and other warm water species.
Tioga County
With the cool summer, many stocked trout waters throughout the county have been experiencing extended use by many anglers. Pine Creek above the Canyon has been producing good numbers of stocked trout for anglers fishing night crawlers, fat head minnows, soft hackle flies and large streamers when the heavy rain falls occur. Remember, trout seek out cold water refuge during the hot days of summer at the mouths of small cold-water tributaries. If you plan on catching and releasing, try to avoid fishing for the trout congregated at the tributary mouths.
The Smallmouth Bass fishing on Pine Creek in all sections has also been very good if not excellent. Anglers have been having success using tubes of varying colors, crankbaits, live minnows and even to`p water flies. If you are an angler who enjoys fishing with crayfish, please review the regulations associated with use, possession and transport of this bait.
The Tioga River Spillway has been fishing very well. Anglers have been catching some very large Channel Catfish, bullheads, and walleye. Anglers are encouraged to take all littler (bottles, worm containers, FISHING LINE, etc….) accumulated during their fishing trip with them or place it in appropriate receptacles. The spillway also has a restricted area where anglers and boaters are prohibited to enter. Please be aware of this area and respect the prohibition of entry into this area.
Also, if you are a holder of a Venomous Snake Permit remember that the venomous snake season ended at the end of July and the mandatory report period is upon us. Please do not forget to submit your report card that comes with your Venomous Snake Permit.
Southeastern Region
Lehigh County
Mid-to-late evening anglers have been successfully catching Bullheads and Channel Catfish at Leaser Lake. Anglers have been targeting the South Launch Coves with chicken liver and night crawlers for successful trips.
S. Montgomery County/W. Philadelphia County
With the summer heat, fishing activity has been relatively slow and anglers have been reporting limited success along district waterways. Boating activity has been busy on weekends, and as always anglers and boaters alike are reminded to periodically review fishing and boating laws and regulations. Be safe on the water and most of all, have fun!
The Free Philly Family Catfish Festival was held last Saturday on August 5, 2017 along the Schuylkill Banks River Park between the Chestnut Street and Walnut Street bridges. PFBC staff taught families about catfish biology, how to fish for catfish and how to prepare and care for their catch. Anglers caught Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Perch and a few Bluegills. Although there was a rainy start to the morning, the sun broke through and it was a beautiful morning for fishing along the Schuykill!