Pictured above: Beautiful wild Brown Trout caught in the evening hours along Spring Creek. (photo provided by angler)
Northwest Region
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching good numbers of Largemouth Bass and Bluegills. Anglers are catching some nice crappies at night. 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 catching Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and some Yellow Perch. Anglers are catching some nice Channel Catfish at night. Anglers and boaters using the PFBC’s Mill Creek Access Area are reminded that this is a PFBC owned access area and that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facilities.
Upper Clarion River (Cooksburg to Mill Creek)
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass in this section. Anglers are catching trout at the confluence of Cathers Run. Anglers and boaters using the PFBC’s Gravel Lick Access Area are reminded that this is a PFBC owned access area and that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Allegheny River
Anglers are reporting that fishing has really started to pick up. Anglers are catching nice Smallmouth Bass on the entire length of the river from Emlenton to East Brady. Anglers are catching some nice Channel Catfish at night. Anglers and boaters using the PFBC’s Parker City Access Area are reminded that this is a PFBC controlled access area and all boats, including canoes and kayaks, must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Redbank Creek
Anglers are catching nice Smallmouth Bass and Walleye from below the dam in New Bethlehem to the confluence with the Allegheny River. Anglers are catching trout at the dam in New Bethlehem.
Erie County
Lake Erie Tributaries
Steelhead are starting to run into the tributaries. Walnut Creek and 20 Mile Creek have had the most fish so far. With the upcoming rain and cooler temperatures, more fish will be moving into the other streams. Anglers are catching a few Pink Salmon at the mouth of the streams. Anglers are catching Steelhead on the lake by trolling crankbaits. Perch fishing seems to be picking up at Northeast Marina off the mountain. For current Lake Erie conditions, call Northeast Marina at 814-725-8244.
Lake LeBouef
The cooler water temperatures should get the Muskellunge and Northern Pike moving in Lake LeBouef. Remember that Lake LeBouef is slow-no wake on the entire body of water.
Lake Pleasant
Anglers are catching trout from shore at Lake Pleasant. Anglers are catching the trout by using night crawlers under a bobber.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching good size crappies throughout the lake. Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass transitioning to their fall/winter habitats.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass primarily on crankbaits and tubes. With the river conditions being so clear as of late, make your bait choice and presentation appear as real as possible. Anglers are catching Walleye with a live bait rig or spinner.
French Creek
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass throughout the Venango County stretch of French Creek.
Justus Lake
Anglers are catching trout in 25-40’ of water. Anglers are catching Largemouth bass on weed line edges at the shallow end of the lake.
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and Largemouth Bass with jigs being the bait of choice.
Northeasatern Region
Southern Luzerne And Southern Columbia Counties
The cooler weather has brought great fishing throughout the district. The bite is on with the Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River. Soft plastics and crankbaits seem to be the ticket, with the bait anglers taking their fair share as well.
The trout fishing on the Lehigh River has greatly improved. Successful anglers are using dry flies during a hatch and nymphs throughout the day. Also, don’t forget about those terrestrials! Anglers are reminded, Section 6 of the Lehigh River is a Trout Approved Water Open to Year Round Fishing; as such, a Trout/Salmon permit is required to fish this waterway. This sections begins at the outflow of FEW Reservoir, and continues to Sandy Run. As a side note, anglers are still having success with eels in the Lehigh River, at the spillway of FEW Reservoir.
The fishing at Lily Lake continues to improve and the Largemouth Bass being caught are hefty! Just a reminder, this lake is designated as Big Bass Waters and special regulations apply. Also, the High Speed Zone on Lily Lake will be removed for the year. As of October 01, 2017 the lake will return to Slow, No Wake on the entire lake.
The trout streams across the district still have some nice trout in them. However, don’t expect to catch a limit from one hole. You may have to work for them and remember-the creel limit on Trout Approved Waters is now at 3. The DHALO Section of the Nescopeck Creek is a great place for trout fishing this time of year. The scenery is beautiful and there are no crowds. Bear in mind, the creel limit is ZERO, all fish caught must be immediately released. And, POSSESSION of bait is prohibited, whether it is being used or not.
As a final reminder, the cold weather period for Mandatory PFD wear is fast approaching. From November 1st, through April 30th, ANYONE IN A BOAT LESS THAN 16 FEET IN LENGTH, AND ON ALL CANOES AND KAYAKS, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH, MUST WEAR A USCG APPROVED FLOTATION DEVICE.
With autumn fast approaching, most people will be trading fishing gear for hunting equipment. Those in the know, are aware that some of the year’s best fishing-is still to come!
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
The summer season is almost finished; kids are back to school and vacations are being planned for the next year. But the fishing in the northeast is still very popular. The stripers and the walleye are still going strong in Lake Wallenpaupack along with the big Brown Trout for those who are patient. Catfish are still doing great in all the body of waters along with bluegills and perch. The crappies haven’t started yet but it won’t be long. As the cold weather approaches just keep in mind that your lifejackets are mandatory to wear come November 1st on all boats less than 16 feet including all canoes and kayaks. Be safe out there and have fun.
Northern Wayne County
With the cooling temperatures anglers may want to target walleye. Reports of walleye have been favorable on Duck Harbor Pond, Prompton Dam and the Delaware River. It is also a great time to fish your favorite trout stream. There are plenty of trout remaining.
Northern Susquehanna County
The Susquehanna River is yielding some solid walleye between Oakland and Hallstead. Live bait is best, but jigs and spinner baits are also working well.
Eastern Bradford County
Nightcrawlers and chicken liver are great for bait while still fishing on the bottom for Big Channel Catfish. Smallmouth Bass are also active from Sayre to Wysox.
Northcentral Region
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Cameron County
Anglers are catching trout in streams across the county. Flies, live bait and lures are working.
Sinnemahoning Creek
Anglers are catching bass using live baits, spinners and poppers.
Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching bass using a variety of baits and lures. A few anglers are catching Walleye and musky.
Rose Valley Lake
Anglers are catching bass and other panfish using a variety of live baits and artificial lures.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the mid 50s. Water levels are currently low and clear, but with predicted rain in the next few days, these conditions could change.
Small nymphs are working best in the early morning to mid-day hours. Anglers are catching trout using mayfly, stonefly and caddis nymphs (e.g. Frenchie #14-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18; Prince #12-16; green weenie #12-16).
Trout are rising sporadically. Anglers are catching trout using tan caddis #14-16, bluewing olives #18-22 and midges #22-26.
If you are fishing just after a rain event, make sure you have a few streamers along!
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching bass using poppers, crankbaits and spinners. Mid-day to evening hours seems to be the best time on the water.
A few Walleye are also being caught.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Boating traffic has been light. All access areas are currently open. The marina is open on weekends throughout the month of September. Under the causeway, anglers are catching Crappie using minnows and twistertails under a bobber.
Anglers are catching Channel Catfish in near Hunter Run Cut using night crawlers and chicken livers. Evening hours are best.
Anglers are catching lots of Yellow Perch and Crappie at the spillway shoot of Sayers Lake. A variety of live bait and artificial lures are working. Most anglers are fishing from the walls.
Bald Eagle Creek
On lower Bald Eagle, anglers are catching trout using small dry flies and streamers. Anglers are also catching bass and fallfish using spinners, small streamers and poppers.
REMINDER – Effective September 1, 2017, the section of Bald Eagle Creek from Milesburg to Foster Joseph Sayers Lake will be managed under Class A regulations and will require IMMEDIATE release.
Black Moshannon Lake
Anglers are catching pickerel and bass using spinners and rubber worms. The best locations seem to be near the access areas around the lake.
There are a few kayakers and canoeists paddling the lake. It is a beautiful time of the year to be on the water!
Spring Creek
Water levels are good. Water temperature is in the low 60s. Anglers are catching trout using tan caddis patterns on top.
Anglers are catching trout throughout the day fishing subsurface, using nymphs (e.g. green weenie, hot spot sow bug, walt’s worm, small mayfly patterns, midge larvae patterns).
Anglers are also catching trout using a dry dropper system (e.g. caddis on top and a wet ant underneath).
Streamers fished during and just after rain events will produce as well!
Southeastern Region
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek
Bluegills and crappies are taking mealworms and wax worms, minnows and small jigs and can be found in and around structure along or near the shore. Bass fishing reports have been somewhat mixed. Anglers catching bass have reported taking them on jigs, spinners and crankbaits. Best colors to use on Marsh Creek Lake are large black, purple and pumpkinseed worms. The best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers. One angler showed local WCOs a photo of a 5-6 pound Largemouth, and they observed another land a 36″ Muskellunge on a rubber bass lure on Sunday.
Streams
French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creek are at average levels with temps in the high 60s to low 70s.
Schuylkill River
Black Rock area; The Smallmouth Bass fishing near the Cromby Power Plant outflow and near the Railroad bridge has been decent lately. Crankbaits and live bait are still the best producers.
Catfishing the past month has been very good, with anglers taking large Flathead Catfish on Bluegills and night crawlers. Channel Catfish have been caught using the standard fare of chicken liver.
When fishing at the Black Rock Dam, stay clear of the fish ladder area. Violators caught within 100’ of the fish ladder will be cited. Respect the river and wear a PFD while onboard a boat.
Schuylkill County
The fishing in the area is starting to pick up with the water slowly cooling down and the lakes turning over. Perch are being caught at Lake Tuscarora and Locust Lake on worms in the morning but seem to shut down after lunch. Trout fishing at the lakes has also picked up as the trout are coming near the shorelines again. Minnows and butterworms have worked well.
Catfish are hitting on the usual baits of chicken livers, night crawlers and shrimp in the Schuylkill River near Landingville. Bass fishing has been decent in the mornings and at dusk but slow during the heat of the day. Bass have been caught on rubber worms and crawlers worked slow with the occasional jerk.
The Little Schuylkill River still has a good number of trout and anglers are catching them on all the usual trout baits. The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section is full of trout and a number of flies have worked, but it seems with few bugs flying around ants are the most successful fly especially in the cool of the morning.
Trout stocking picks up again October 4 at Tuscarora Lake. Fall trout fishing can prove to be a lot of fun and there is generally very little pressure.