Northwest Region
Get your license ONLINE – 2018 Fishing License go on sale December 1st: gonefishingpa.com/
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2017 and runs through April 30, 2018.
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
Butler County
Neshannock Creek
Anglers are catching trout using a variety of flies.
Erie County
Area Steelhead Streams
Anglers are catching fresh Steelhead in area Steelhead waters. After rain events, anglers fishing stained water should use brightly colored egg sacks or skein to entice a strike. When the water level returns to low and clear, anglers should use lightweight line with a shiner, single egg, or various fly/egg patterns under a float. The Steelhead limit is three a day.
Lawrence County
Cascade Quarry
Anglers are catching trout on white and lime green rubber worms.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye by the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery area.
Northeasatern Region
Western Bradford & Sullivan Counties
North Branch of the Susquehanna River
Anglers are reporting a lot of Smallmouth Bass activity. Walleye and Northern Pike catches are improving as water levels stabilize. Anglers should be using light tackle due to current water clarity since the lighter line is harder for the fish to detect and allows for more realistic presentations.
Wyoming, Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Temperatures have been falling after the mild fall we experienced here in Northeast Pennsylvania. The long-term forecasts give ice fishermen reason to look forward to the winter. In hopes of getting out on the ice this year we should take some time now before we get too busy with the holidays to go over our ice fishing gear.
Take the time to sharpen up augers or replace blades where needed. For power augers put in new fuel and check the plug. With the ethanol blends we are all tasked to contend with some fuel treatment is required to avoid costly repairs or a ruined day without a hole in the ice. Make sure the engine runs at home before taking it out away from your tools and bench.
Change lines on your jigging rods and pay attention to the condition of the line on your tip-ups. Check tip-ups for function and adjust/repair as necessary to ensure they run smooth and trip the way you want them to. Replace leaders and hooks on your tip ups so you are ready to go.
Open up that jig box and touch up the points on hooks. Winter bites can be gentle and wary. The sharper your hook the more hook-ups you will have.
Remember safety always comes first! Make sure you fish with a buddy or at least make sure someone knows where you will be going and when you expect to be back. Also, it is advised that you should be wearing a PFD or flotation coat to ensure you see many more fishing trips. If you do not want to wear a PFD then at least consider carrying a throwable device with you as you head out on the ice. If you fall through the ice the throwable will offer some protection and you can use it as a cushion to sit on your bucket when you get set up. Also, invest in a set of ice-awls. They are cheap insurance should you find yourself in need of gaining purchase on the surface to pull yourself out of the water and onto the ice.
For more information on ice fishing and ice safety please visit: http://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx
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.
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
SAFETY NOTE: Firearms Deer Season is in full swing! If you are heading out to fish over the next two weeks, make sure you wear fluorescent orange to stay safe while fishing.
Tioga County
Pine Creek
Anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns and nymphs. Target deep runs and structure (e.g. large boulders, undercut banks and logs).
Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Walleye using live minnows and streamer patterns in deep channels of the river.
On occasion, anglers are also catching Musky using large streamer patterns and lures.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperatures are in the low 40s. Water level is good and there is a bit of color to the water.
Anglers are catching trout using 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 small nymphs (e.g. #14-16 frenchie; #12-18 gold bead pheasant tail; #6-10 black stone; #12-18 caddis larvae patterns).
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns (e.g. #6-10) olive and/or white. Nymphs are also working well.
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 50s. The water level and color is great.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. bird of prey caddis, 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. Trout are also rising sporadically to midges and blue wing olives.
Southeastern Region
Berks County/N. Montgomery County
Lake Antietam
It was a beautiful fall day in Berks County on Monday, November 13, for the winter stocking of Lake Antietam. We had a schedule change, so the fish ended up going in a couple days early. The weather was great, the fish looked great, and the water was cold, which was good for the trout!).
Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake in Montgomery County was also stocked from the same truck. The trout came from our Huntsdale Hatchery and couldn’t have looked better, so grab your rods and get out there and enjoy some wonderful winter trout fishing. Keep in mind we are in the Extended Trout Season with the daily creel limit of 3 trout.
Bucks County
Delaware River
Anglers are catching Walleyes in the river. Target them in deeper water with submerged structure, around the bridge piers and deep, slower water. Jigs, tubes, minnows and worms on a harness are the go-to baits that anglers use most often. New Jersey stocks about 1 million walleye per year in the river, and it is believed that these fish freely move around the river.
Lake Nockamixon and the Giving Pond Recreation Area
Anglers are catching Crappies in Lake Nockamixon and the Giving Pond Recreation Area. In the fall and early winter, work the trees that are submerged along the banks. Try minnows under slip bobbers and jigs.