Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass using black and blue jigs over weed beds. Anglers are catching Hybrid Striped Bass that are hitting white tube baits.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching good numbers of Largemouth Bass, crappie, and Bluegill. Anglers and boaters are reminded that Kahle Lake is a PFBC owned lake and that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, must be registered or have a launch permit to use this facility.
Piney Dam
Piney Dam continues to be in a drawdown state and is approximately 6 feet below normal pool levels. Anglers are catching some Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. 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 facility.
Upper Clarion River (Cooksburg to Mill Creek)
Anglers are catching some Smallmouth Bass. Anglers are catching trout at the confluences of Cathers & Blyson Runs. Anglers and boaters using the PFBC’s Gravel Lick Access Areas are reminded that this is a 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
With water levels coming back down to normal summer time levels fishing has started to pick up for some species. Anglers are catching some Smallmouth Bass. Anglers are catching 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 a few Walleye from below the dam in New Bethlehem to the confluence with the Allegheny River.
Beaver Creek Ponds Project
Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass and Bluegill.
Crawford County
Conneaut Lake
The summer recreational boating season is winding down for the year but the fishing is starting to get better with the cooler water temperatures. Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, and Bowfin within the past few weeks.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching a few Walleye, Channel Catfish, and crappies throughout the lake.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching several Smallmouth Bass using tube jigs and live bait. River levels remain low and weeds are more prevalent, which can cause some navigation issues for jet boat operators. Anglers are catching Walleye and Northern Pike using live bait and lures. Canoe and kayak operators should avoid blocking the river channel when in groups, such as stringing across the entire river channel while tied together. This causes jet boat operators to navigate close to shore or causes them to stop in shallow water of which could cause damage to their boat.
Tionesta Lake
Musky anglers have been successful trolling. Now that the recreational boating activity is slowing down, anglers can troll more effectively.
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass from Mayburg to Kellettville. Anglers have also been catching some trout near the tributaries using dry flies (caddis, blue wing olives). Anglers are catching panfish from Nebraska Bridge, however the panfish have been small.
Clarion River
Anglers are catching trout near the tributaries in the morning and evening, using dry flies (caddis, blue wing olives).
Spring Creek
The Marienville Rod and Gun Club will be stocking trout in Spring Creek near ANF Road 227, sometime in early October.
Northeasatern Region
Upcoming Programs
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is providing a free Women’s Fly Fishing Introduction Program on Saturday, September 17 from 1p.m. to 5p.m. at Hillside Park in Lackawanna County. Preregistration is required! Click HERE For more information and to preregister
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is providing a free Family Fishing Program on Saturday, September 23 from 11am to 3pm at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County. Preregistration is required! For more information and to preregister please visit: Click HERE For more information and to preregister
Northern Columbia and Susquehanna Counties
Fishing activity on area waterways has been heating up as autumn approaches but the fish are not all cooperating yet. Lately more and more anglers have been seen on the water, but some days they have been only rewarded with a cool late summer breeze and the satisfaction of getting out of the house for a day on the water.
Anglers at Sylvan Lake are having a hard time bringing fish to the hook. But one angler reported catching a real nice Largemouth Bass only to have it jump out of the livewell and back into the lake whence it came. Smart bass, no wonder it lived long enough to reach an enviable size.
Other anglers were having trouble getting ANYTHING to hit. Most folks were working the edges of the lily pads and dock structures. Often though when it is this late in the season you won’t find fish in their early summer haunts. Try going out a little deeper and working a jig off the bottom tipped with some worm for bass, walleye or panfish. Only difference between targeting these three species in this way is the size of the jig. Move around the lake and work different depths and bottom types. A sonar unit starts to become invaluable this time of year.
A substantial white fly hatch was witnessed on Friday evening. Not much surface action to match but it was something to see. Most anglers having luck have been using soft plastics bounced off the bottom at the edge of riffles or dragging small stickbaits through the deeper water. Firetiger has been a producing color pattern.
Harveys Lake has been particularly difficult to fish lately but the bite should come on soon for Smallmouth Bass and in the coming weeks start looking for large Brown Trout to start making their way into the shallows.
October marks the time that the Commission stocks certain areas lakes and streams with trout! Time to get out for one last time before snow starts flying and target a popular Pennsylvania fish. There is no better time to be along a trout stream than October in Pennsylvania. Cool, dry days with all of our hardwood colors reflected in a dappled stream are reward enough to get out. Just be sure to wear bright colors (especially when fishing in streams on Game Lands or Forest Lands) as you will be sharing Penn’s Woods with hunters.
Whenever you get out make the most of your time and enjoy the experience.
Northcentral Region
Get your license ONLINE – gonefishingpa.com/
Potter County
Boating traffic is a bit slow this year due to lower than normal air temperatures; however, that means uncrowded waterways to explore/fish.
Water levels are still good and is providing great fall fishing for anglers.
Anglers are catching bass and other panfish in lakes across the county. The bite is a little slow, but the musky fishing is in full swing. With cooler temperatures, the Walleye bite will be on soon!
Cameron/Clinton County
Water levels are good across each County. Anglers are catching trout and bass using a variety of techniques.
Stevenson Dam
Fall Trout Stocking is scheduled for October 5th.
Elk County
East Branch Dam
Due to low water levels, the tentative closing date for the Main Boat Launch is Monday, September 11, 2017. Boaters should make appropriate preparations to remove their boats.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the 60s. Water levels are up a little due to rain events.
Small nymphs are working best in the early morning. Anglers are catching trout using mayfly, stonefly and caddis nymphs (e.g. Frenchie #14-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18; Prince #12-16; swimming ISO nymph #10-12).
Trout are rising, sporadically. Mid-day to evening hours are best. Carry the following dry flies, just in case you see a few trout rising (e.g. Slate Drake #10-12; midges #22-26, Bluewing Olives size #18-22, Tan Caddis #12-14; Light Cahill #12-14).
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are still catching Smallmouth Bass using live minnows, rooster tails, crankbaits, and poppers. Many of the Smallmouth are being caught in shallow water areas, near islands, grassy areas or submerged logs. Sunny days and mid-afternoon into evening hours seem to be the best time to be on the water.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
All access areas are being utilized by boaters. Boating activity has been low. Boaters need to be on the lookout for submerged logs in the areas of East and West Launch. Also use caution in the slow-no-wake area in the upper lake area.
NOTE – the Marina will remain open on the weekends throughout the month of September.
Anglers are catching Crappie and Yellow Perch at the spillway. Fishing off of the outflow wall, using jigs, minnows and other live bait is working best.
Anglers are also catching Crappie under the causeway bridge using minnows and rubber jigs. Anglers are catching a few catfish near lower greens area.
Bald Eagle Creek
On lower Bald Eagle, anglers are catching bass using white or yellow poppers and white streamer patterns. Early morning and mid-afternoon into dusk seem to be the best time to be on the water.
Target areas with fallen trees, shallow waters near the banks and the drop-offs into deep water.
Anglers, fishing between Milesburg and Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, are catching trout and a few warmwater fish (e.g. bass, bluegill).
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
There are a few kayakers and canoers out enjoying the lake. Anglers are catching pickerel and bass using rubber worms, spinners and live bait. Weedless rigs are working best.
Spring Creek
With recent rain events, Spring Creek is in good shape. Water temperature is in the low 60s.
Anglers are catching trout throughout the day using nymphs (e.g. scuds,hot spot sow bug, walt’s worm, black zebra midge, green weenie).
Trout are rising sporadically to dry flies. Anglers are catching trout using tan caddis #14-16; cahill #14-16; blue wing olives sizes #18-22; midges #22-26.
Rain events also mean streamer time! Carry a few olive or black streamer’s with you!
Montour, Northumberland, Union Counties
Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching bass using spoons, near Sunbury. Anglers are also beginning to catch Walleye.
NOTE – Anglers and boaters are advised to be respectful of the construction occurring with the dam. Keep in mind that when the water is going over the dam by just a few feet, it is at its most dangerous.
Southeastern Region
S. Chester County
The Next meeting of the White Clay Fly-Tying Club will be at 6PM on Thursday September 7th 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. Parking for club is behind the White Clay State Park Office.
S. Montgomery County
With the summer winding down and fall weather beginning, fishing and boating activity has started to taper off as well. Water temperatures currently remain comfortable for water activities, but as the season changes and water temperatures begin to cool, boaters should be aware of the cold water and the hazards it poses. PFD wear is not mandatory until November, but boaters are still encouraged to wear their PFDs whenever on the water. As always when it comes to safety, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Enjoy the last days of the boating season, and stay safe.
Philadelphia County
Upcoming Fall Trout Stocking: October 10, 2017 at Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia. If interested in assisting with the Pennypack Stocking, please meet at 8600 Pine Rd (Parking Lot) at 1:00 pm. Please come out and enjoy fishing this fall!