Northwest Region
Crawford County
Woodcock Lake
Anglers are reporting that the water level is down. Anglers are catching a few Muskellunge and some nice Smallmouth Bass.
Woodcock Creek (dam outflow)
Anglers are catching a few Bowfin, Walleye, and Muskellunge.
Anglers are catching a few Smallmouth Bass especially between Wilson Chutes and Shaw’s Landing.
Western Erie County
Fairview Gravel Pit
Anglers are catching some panfish at the Fairview Gravel Pit. The baits of choice are grubs and minnows.
Lake Erie
Anglers are catching Walleye in 60 to 70 feet of water. Most of the anglers are targeting the area in front of Walnut Creek to the Ohio state line. For current Lake Erie conditions, call the Walnut Creek Marina at 814-833-2464.
Area Steelhead Streams
Steelhead are just starting to run up the creeks. Anglers are catching a few Steelhead at the mouth of Crooked Creek, Elk Creek, and Walnut Creek.
Lawrence County
Neshannock Creek
Anglers are catching a number of Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass. Anglers have been catching them mostly on minnows and creek chubs they caught for bait.
Slippery Rock Creek
A few anglers are catching trout. They are catching them mostly using crayfish. A reminder that if you use crayfish as bait, you must immediately remove the head behind the eyes.
Northeasatern Region
Wyoming County and Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Lake Winola
The trout are still hitting in Lake Winola. Most anglers are having luck using paste bait on the bottom or held just off the bottom. Most other fish seem to be taking their time coming to the hook but look to expect an increase in action over the coming weeks as water temperatures trigger a fall bite.
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River above the Wilkes Bare area is getting really skinny making traveling up and down the river difficult. For some anglers however this can come with an advantage. Fish are getting corralled in areas of deeper water and where tributaries with some flow are creating pockets of ideal water for fish.
A reminder: Fall anglers can expect to run into hunters while on the water. Anglers are reminded that although there is no requirement for it wearing bright colors will help keep you safer as you fish in our Commonwealth’s waters.
Western Bradford and Sullivan County
North Branch of the Susquehanna River
Fishing on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River has been slow lately with the best results coming from jerk baits. Swim baits are also producing marginally. A variety of colors and patterns should be used.
Northcentral Region
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Tioga County
Fish are beginning to transition into their fall feeding patterns. This transition period can be tough, but once the water is cooler the fall bite will get better!
Cowanesque Lake (Spillway)
Anglers are catching panfish, Bullhead Catfish, and Smallmouth Bass. A few anglers are catching Musky and Walleye. Walleyes up to 28” have been caught, but most are 15-22inches.
Tioga Lake
Anglers are catching Walleye, catfish and Hybrid Stripers using live, large shiners near the dam and connecting channel.
Tioga Spillway
Anglers are catching Smallmouth and Walleye. A few anglers are also catching catfish using shiners, cut baits and livers.
Hammond Lake
Anglers are catching bass The seasonal shad die off is starting and the fish are eating! Mornings and afternoons are best, using top-water techniques (e.g. whopper ploppers, poppers and spook type lures).
Work weed beds with jigs and soft plastics. Smaller profile baits are working as well. Black/blue, green pumpkin, blue craw, and similar color schemes are working best. Don’t be afraid to try a squarebill crankbait over the weeds and submerged woody debris.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the 50s. Water levels are low and clear.
Small nymphs continue to work 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).
If you are fishing just after a rain event, make sure you have a few streamers along!
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Boating traffic continues to be light.
Under the causeway continues to be a great place for Crappie fishing. Anglers are catching Crappie using minnows and twistertails under a bobber.
Anglers are catching bass in the upper end of the lake in the slow-no-wake area.
Anglers are catching lots of Yellow Perch and Crappie at the spillway shoot of Sayers Lake. Nightcrawlers, minnows and jigs are working best. Most anglers are fishing from the walls.
Bald Eagle Creek
On lower Bald Eagle, anglers are catching trout using small streamers. Anglers continue to catch bass and fallfish using spinners, small streamers and poppers.
Black Moshannon
There are a few kayakers and canoeists paddling the lake. All access areas are still open. 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. In the afternoon hours, 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).
Union/Snyder/Northumberland Counties
Boaters are reminded that low-head dams are very dangerous and to stay away from them. These low-head dams recirculate anything that ends up in their flow. Operating inside the exclusion zone, might seem minor, but you will be cited if you are inside this zone.
Even if fishing is good in these areas it is not worth losing a life.
Remember, water recreation (e.g. boating, swimming and fishing) are fun, but only when you abide by the regulations. Regulations are there to protect your life and enhance your experience.
Southeastern Region
Berks County
Deep Creek Lake
With fall approaching, it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the cooler temperatures. Deep Creek Lake in Montgomery County is a great place for kids to enjoy a great day of fishing in the outdoors. Deep Creek Lake, which is stocked seasonally with trout by the PFBC, also sustains a great bass population; as well as plenty of panfish (including nice sized crappies). The park’s main entrance offers plenty of parking, facilities, playgrounds, and access to all the hiking and biking trails.
S. Chester County
Octoraro Reservoir
Anglers on the Octoraro Reservoir are catching nice crappies. While we haven’t seen any of the lunkers that the lake sometimes provides, there are plenty of 12 and 13 inch fish. Fishing from a boat is recommended for success here. Cast around the many fallen trees that ring the lake with a fathead minnow under a pencil bobber. Use four to six feet of line below the bobber, fish close to the structure and you will be in the zone. Don’t be surprised to catch other types of fish along with the crappie. For more information on the crappie bite or to set up a trip visit the Fishing Headquarters at 212 Spruce Grove Road, Kirkwood, PA. 17536, or phone 717-529-2488.
The next meeting of the White Clay Fly-Tying Club will be at 6PM on Thursday, September 21 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. Several flies are usually demonstrated. The 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.
Northampton County
Bushkill Creek
Water levels have receded in the streams throughout the county, but angling opportunities have remained. In the Bushkill Creek, above Northwood Ave, trout are surfacing and feeding on aquatic bugs and flies. Anglers here are using trout magnets and rooster tails without much success; perhaps flies will work better in this clear water.
Delaware River
Anglers are catching bass from shore or boat North of Belvidere, NJ on the Delaware River, near where the small Mill Creek flows in. When fishing from a boat, remember to bring all of the required safety equipment, also all Coast Guard approved Life Jackets must be properly fitted.