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
Venango County
Oil Creek
Walleye anglers have targeted the lower stretches of this waterway, given the increased water levels.
Justus Lake
Anglers are catching trout and panfish through the ice when conditions allow. The bait of choice is a jig tipped with a meal or wax worm bounced off the bottom.
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and crappie through the ice when conditions allow.
NAVIGATION HAZARD (OIL CITY—UPRIVER OF STATE STREET BRIDGE):
Watercraft operators should be aware that the ice control device spanning the Allegheny River, upstream of the State Street (Veteran’s) Bridge, in the City of Oil City, is in place. Boaters should use caution when operating in this area.
Central Erie County
Area Steelhead Streams
The Erie tributaries are free of ice and the forecast looks like they will remain that way for a while. With the recent rain and snowmelt, some Steelhead have come in.
Presque Isle Bay
Anglers are catching some nice Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and crappie through the ice when conditions allow.
Northeasatern Region
The Early Bird Sports Expo at the Bloomsburg Fair Grounds starts this Thursday the 25th and ends on Sunday the 28th. Make sure to stop by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat booth to enter to win the Cabin Fever Kayak Giveaway, purchase your 2018 fishing license, grab some publications and get your questions answered. More information on the Early Bird Sports Expo can be found at: earlybirdexpo.com/
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.
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
2018 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses are being sold now. Get your one, three, five or ten year fishing license now or purchase a voucher as a gift for someone this holiday season at gonefishingpa.com
Lackawanna County
Plenty of ice covers the counties area lakes and ponds. Ice fishing at Lackawanna Lake has been excellent this season with anglers catching plenty of crappie and blue gill. The size of the panfish have increased. Anglers are using jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes. Most anglers, serious about catching pan fish have concentrated their efforts between the handicap pier and the pool area.
Some nice yellow perch have been caught on private ponds and lakes in the Fleetville area. Anglers have caught the perch on jigs and utilizing live bait on tip ups.
Ice fishing is NOT allowed on the PA American Water Company reservoirs.
Luzerne County
Susquehanna County
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).
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass and Brown Bullhead Catfish using a variety of techniques. Fish are in about 16 feet of water.
Gold tear drops, northland busckshot rattlespoon, fathead minnows and maggots all seem to be working.
With recent rain and warm weather, the water level is on the rise. As always, be sure you check ice conditions prior to venturing out on the ice.
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 40s. With the recent warm weather, many anglers have been out on the stream. The bite has been a bit slow with the snow melt.
Anglers are catching a few trout using dry flies (e.g. midge adults #20-24) during the warm afternoons.
Most trout are taking nymphs (e.g. black zebra midge #18-22; walt’s worm #12-16; sow bug #14-16)
Anglers are also catching trout using small streamer patterns in the colors olive or black.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperatures are in the upper 30s. The water level is up and a bit off color. With the recent warm weather and the snow melt, trout are hitting, but sporadically.
Most trout are staying 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).
Southeastern Region
E. Berks County
Antietam Lake
For some great winter trout fishing opportunities, try out Antietam Lake in Berks County. Antietam Lake is stocked seasonally with trout by the PFBC. The park has undergone some renovations in the recent years so there is more defined parking now and safer access to the lake. The county did a great job with the renovations. Remember, if you’re going to venture out on the ice be safe and know the proper thickness. Ice may not be the same thickness all over so use caution, and try to stay away from stickups like brush, plants, or logs as the ice will be less thick near debris. Remember to always let someone know where you are going ice fishing and how long you plan on being gone. With the varying temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately, the lake may thaw and refreeze a couple times this winter so make sure you are cautious before venturing out. Good Luck and Happy Fishing!
S. Chester County
One of a Pennsylvania Waterways Conservation Officer’s many responsibilities is to review and approve or not approve, Special Activities Permit Applications for a Fishing Tournament. Sometimes these groups will request to hold a bass tournament on the opening day of bass as an example. Tournaments cannot be held on the opening day of any species of game fish, so a WCO will have to deny the request and return it to the club, disapproved. A quick summary of the rules might help; remember complete rules can be found on our website listed below, or in the unlawful section of the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary Book. If you are holding a tournament in which 10 or more people will be involved you are required to have applied for a special activities permit at least 60 days prior to the event, the permit form can be found at www.fishandboat.com and then once it has been granted, the permit will lists all the conditions, number of persons, boats, safety boats, culling, etc. Fishing tournaments may not target a species during the closed season. An accurate tournament catch report must be provided as required. Tagged fish tournaments in boundary waters also require a permit. The permit application can also be obtained from the Regional Law Enforcement Office in which you wish to hold the tournament. In Lancaster and Chester County that would be the Southeast Region, P.O. Box 9, Elm, PA 17521 or phone 717-626-0228 for more information.
A Basic Boating course will be held at Springton Manor Farm, Ranger Station, on Wednesday, February 7th and Thursday, February 8th from 3PM to 7PM. 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
A Basic Boating course will be held at Springton Manor Farm, Ranger Station, on Saturday, February 17th from 8AM to 5PM. 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
Lehigh County
Leaser Lake
Since the beginning of January, Leaser Lake has been receiving a lot of ice fishing activity. Many anglers are taking advantage of the frozen access to target Muskies. Anglers are catching Muskies up to 36 inches on jigging rods. Medium-sized shiners and wax worms seem to be the bait of choice. Anglers also are catching a lot of panfish using small shiners on tip ups. Please remember Leaser Lake is a Special Regulation area; all species, except for trout, are catch and release/no harvest lake. The use of gaffs, spears, and gigs to retrieve fish through the ice is prohibited.