Northwest Region
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
With the cooling of the water temperatures, the fishing should be heating up. US Army Corp of Engineer Pittsburgh District Lakes is an area where all occupants on Boats under 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks are required to wear their Personal Flotation Device at all times. Other areas of the Commonwealth this mandatory wear law is in effect until May 01.
The reservoir is being lowered for summer pool. The docks were taken out, but the boat launches are still open. Be careful at the Hartford launch because you have to drive on the shore in order to launch your boat.
Have a safe and enjoyable Fall!!
Shenango River
The Shenango River Outflow has now been designated as a catch and release zone for all species. There is a DO NOT EAT Advisory for the section of river from Mercer County and Lawrence County. The Fall Trout stocking that usually occurs in the section from the dam in Sharpsville to the Walnut Street Bridge did not occur this year. The river section from the New Hamburg Bridge downstream was stocked instead. That section of the river couldn’t be stocked without the help of the Shenango River Watchers for the use of their boats; the Laurel High School’s Conservation Club for their donation of the use of float boxes; and the US Army Corp of Engineers for their assistance.
Boating Tips
Cold water kills!! Wear your Personal Flotation Device even if it is not required.
Thank you for having a safe boating season.
Remember your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 9-1-1.
Northeasatern Region
All anglers across the state need to be aware that dear rifle season starts Monday, November 27th and runs until Saturday, December 9th. If you are using Pennsylvania State Game Lands you are required to wear a MINIMUM of 250 sq inches of fluorescent orange, even if you are not hunting, until December 15th. While non-hunters are not required to wear fluorescent orange besides SGLs, wearing fluorescent orange while fishing is recommended during hunting season. A hat and vest will do the trick, to make sure hunters can clearly see you. Good luck and be safe!
Remember! From November 1st through April 30th there is mandatory wear for life jackets from on boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks. Wearing your life jacket is the best way to prevent a boating fatality and we recommend you wear one all year, not just during the mandatory wear period.
Northcentral Region
Get your license ONLINE – gonefishingpa.com/
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2017 and runs through April 30, 2018.
Beginning in 2012, the following regulation was established:
A person shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
Union/Snyder/Northumberland/Montour Counties
Anglers are catching Walleye near Sunbury and further south.
REMINDER – Stay out of the exclusion zones of the two dams. The exclusion areas in place for your safety.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperatures are in the mid-upper 30s. Water level is good.
Anglers are catching trout using small streamer patterns (size #6-10), white and olive colors are working well. Fish the banks and structure and see what happens!
Anglers are also catching trout using nymphs (e.g. #14-18 iron lotus; #12-18 prince nymph; #6-10 black stone; #12-18 gold bead pheasant tail).
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 50s. The water level and color is great. Trout are spawning, please watch your step and avoid their nests/redds.
Anglers are catching trout throughout the day, using nymphs (e.g. egg patterns, green weenie, hot spot sow bug, olive scuds, small mayfly patterns, midge larvae patterns).
Make sure you have a few olive and/or black streamer patterns (#6-10) to throw during or just after the rain events!
Trout are also rising sporadically to tan caddis and blue wing olives.
Southeastern Region
Boaters are reminded to check all of the required safety equipment on their boats such as an appropriate sized USCG approved wearable 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.
Remember, during the period from November 1 to April 30, boaters are required to wear their PFDs on boats less than 16’ in length or on any canoe or kayak.
Berks County
Section 7 of Tulpehocken Creek in the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water Section (Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only) was stocked back on October 17. This destination fishery is a great area to cast a fly or spinner for these exceptionally large (14-20 inch range) fish!
Antietam Reservoir, Scotts Run Lake and another section of the Tulpehocken Creek have also been stocked with standard-size trout for the fall season. Kaercher Creek Dam is scheduled to be restocked in December for the ice-fishing season.
Bucks County
Core Creek Park (Lake Luxembourg) And Lake Nockamixon
Try Core Creek Park (Lake Luxembourg) for Largemouth Bass with live minnows and crankbaits.
Delaware River
Try drifting minnows and throwing grubs for Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes in the riffle stretches around the New Hope bridge area.
Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake
Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel and Yellow Perch are taking minnows.
Philadelphia County
Pennypack Creek
Anglers are catching the occasional Rainbow Trout out of the Pennypack Creek above the Boulevard on minnows & paste bait. Anglers can also pick up plenty of sunfish.
Schuylkill River
Common Carp are biting in the Schuylkill River. Try boilies and different homemade carp baits. Anglers are also hooking into catfish with shrimp, chicken livers and nightcrawlers.