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
REMINDER The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. Use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall though the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafetY
Crawford County
Sugar Lake
Anglers are reporting catching some Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, and Largemouth Bass through the ice. Anglers should try a tip-up rigged with a large shiner for Northern Pike.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill and Northern Pike through the ice on the North end of the lake near the PFBC access area. Jigs tipped with maggots, mealworms, or minnows seem to be the bait of choice. Those anglers targeting Musky and Northern Pike should use tip-ups rigged with large shiners and a large treble hook.
Erie County
Area Steelhead Tributaries
The bitter cold temperatures this week have the mile streams iced over.
Lake Pleasant
Anglers are catching trout and panfish on Lake Pleasant on live baits including grubs and minnows.
Eaton Reservoir
Eaton Reservoir is also a hot spot for panfish and Northern Pike. Live baits seem to work the best (grubs, maggots, wax worms and minnows).
Northeasatern Region
West Bradford and Sullivan County
Steam Hollow Pond
Ice fishing has been slow. Anglers are marking lots of fish but the bite isn’t there. Anglers are using a variety of ice angling techniques and baits in hope of enticing a good bite.
Wyoming and Northern Luzerne Counties
Area ice fishermen have been enjoying great ice conditions thanks to a recent brutal cold snap. However, they should be cautioned that impacts might be felt due to adverse weather this weekend and should be cautious when returning to the ice next week. Ice Fishing on the Susquehanna River will most likely face a severe set back as the river rises and ice breaks up.
Few fishermen have been seen in Wyoming County Lately but fishermen in Northern Luzerne County have been experiencing spotty luck. Frances Slocum has been giving up small crappie on the regular but not much else. Harris Pond has seen catches of yellow perch with great regularity as well as bluegills. The perch have been ranging in size anywhere from 4 to 10 inches. Sylvan Lake has been fishing very slow with mostly trout being pulled from the ice there. Harveys Lake has also been reluctant to give up much. Not seeing anyone up at Lake Jean lately. Don’t know if this is due to the Arctic Temps or the Catch and Release regulations that are still in place for all species present there.
Northcentral Region
Get your 1, 3, 5 OR 10 YEAR FISHING LICENSE ONLINE NOW – gonefishingpa.com/
ICE is NICE! Learn more about ice fishing SAFETY and ice FISHING here – fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
NOTE: PA Fish and Boat Commission does not monitor ice thickness. Make sure you test ice conditions prior to venturing out to ice fish and be sure to take safety precautions (e.g. wear a float jacket or life jacket).
Tioga County
Ice is still in good shape across the County.
REMINDER – Always check ice conditions before venturing out onto the ice.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching a variety of panfish, bass and pickerel. Afternoons seem to be the best time to be fishing. Green, glow and silver jigs are working best.
Beechwood Lake
Anglers are catching trout and panfish using minnows and waxworms. Live shiners are working great for bass and pickerel.
Cowanesque Lake
Anglers are catching a variety of panfish. Jigs, minnows and waxworms are working well.
Lycoming County
Rose Valley Lake
Union/Snyder/Northumberland/Montour Countiesy
Anglers are reminded to check ice conditions prior to heading out to fish. The recent warm temperatures caused some of the ice to thin near the shore and inlets to lakes. In some areas there is no ice near shore.
Lake Chilisquaque
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Walleye, near goose cove. Before and just after daylight seems to be the best time to be on the water.
Faylor Lake
Anglers are catching “dinner plate” sized Crappie, using jigs and minnows.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperatures are in the 40s. The water level is up and a bit off color.
Most trout are still holding in deep pools, near structure (e.g. logs, rocks, undercut banks).
Anglers are catching trout using streamers (size #6-10). Nymphs are also working (e.g. iron lotus (#14-18); Frenchie (#14-16); goldbead pheasant tail (#12-18); prince (#12-16).
Centre County
Anglers are catching panfish using jigs tipped with waxworms.
The water is a bit cloudy and the bite is a bit slow, but anglers are still catching plenty of fish.
Tipups with fathead minnows are also working well. Anglers fishing the main lake area are reporting catches of Yellow Perch and occasional Channel Catfish and Bass.
Southeastern Region
Can’t wait for some warm weather and the opening of the Early Trout Season? Consider attending what is said to be one of the largest Fly Fishing Shows in the U.S. on January 26 to 28 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, located at 97 Sunfield Ave. in Edison, NJ 08837. Attend classes and see presentations & exhibits from hundreds of vendors while making the spring thaw seem not quite so far away. For more information, visit the website at http://flyfishingshow.com/edison-nj/ The PA Fish & Boat Commission will have a booth at the event to sell licenses and help answer questions about fly fishing in the Keystone State.
The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will be held January 26 starting at 6:30 PM, at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center at 97 Sunfield Ave. in Edison, NJ 08837. More information is available on the web at http://flyfishingshow.com/edison-nj/
Northampton County
East Bangor Dam
On East Bangor Dam, wax worms are the bait of choice for ice anglers. Despite the lake being relatively shallow, it offers a unique fishing opportunity.
Lehigh River
The Lehigh River ice has broken up and is flowing water again. Anglers have been seen using spinners, and swim baits; additionally, an angler had a fish finder bobber that he would cast to determine depth and any fish activity directly under the bobber. In these relatively slow angling times, it’s nice to see the creative approaches people take to land a fish.
Southern Chester County
For those of you that are looking for fishing opportunities prior to the Regional Opening Day, (March 31 this year), the White Clay Creek DHALO Section is always open. The DHALO section is from Good Hope Road downstream 1.7 miles to the confluence with the mouth of the White Clay Creek. This secluded and scenic stream is also Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters, so it is stocked with some big fish (14-20 inches) each year by the Fish & Boat Commission. The White Clay Flyfishers recently stocked the section with over 400 beautiful Brown Trout, mostly in the 11 to 15 inch size. On last patrol, the District WCO saw numerous large trout holding in all of the larger pools and only a couple of fishermen. The weather seems like it will be holding above the freezing mark so here is your chance to land (bring you camera to take a quick photo of your trophy), and then put back, some nice fish. Remember that this is a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Section so make sure to follow the law, and don’t forget to bring and display a fishing license and trout stamp for those 16 or older. This section is heavily patrolled and anglers will be cited for failure to comply with the regulations. Here is the link to the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures and Trophy Select Regulations – http://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/delayedartificial.html Good Luck!
A Basic Boating course will be held at Springton Manor Farm, Ranger Station, on Saturday, February 17 from 08:00 to 5:00 PM. This is an all-day course and you need to be there for the entire day to get credit for the course. Certificates are required for all operators of personal watercraft, regardless of age, and for boat operators born after January 1, 1982 that operate motorboats of more than 25 horsepower. This free PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) course is designed to help boaters make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide course materials and information via a classroom setting to help you reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Those who successfully complete the course may obtain this certificate, which is good for a lifetime (fees apply). A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction is required to pass the course. Pre-registration is required by emailing Andy Desko at adesko@pa.gov or by phone at 215-968-3631. You can also get more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL
A Basic Boating course will be held at Springton Manor Farm, Ranger Station, on Wednesday, February 7 and Thursday, February 8 from 3 PM to 7 PM. This is a two day course and to get credit for the course you will need to attend both full days. Certificates are required for all operators of personal watercraft, regardless of age, and for boat operators born after January 1, 1982 that operate motorboats of more than 25 horsepower. This free PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) course is designed to help boaters make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide course materials and information via a classroom setting to help you reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Those who successfully complete the course may obtain this certificate, which is good for a lifetime (fees apply). A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction is required to pass the course. Participants should bring a lunch and snacks. Space is limited so register soon. Pre-registration is required by emailing Andy Desko at adesko@pa.gov or by phone at 215-968-3631. You can also get more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL
Almost every year people go through the ice at Struble Reservoir. Struble Reservoir can be especially dangerous as it has many springs and areas with stumps near the surface and decaying vegetation that can make it dangerous. Recently this winter, a gentleman went through the ice on his ice boat. Remember that while an ice boat is heavier than one person; it also distributes all that weight over a very large area, and still his boat went through. He was thankfully able to self-rescue using ice awls; however, his boat is upside down and stuck in the ice and he is unsure when he will be able to recover it. Please be careful out there, with this up and down temperatures you have to be more careful than ever.