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
Clarion County
Piney Dam
Piney Dam is no longer in a drawdown state. Construction work on the dam was finished last fall and water levels are being returned to normal pool levels.
Allegheny River (Emlenton to Lock #9)
Currently, the PFBC’s Parker City and Brady’s Bend Access Areas are closed due to being covered in river ice from the ice jams and flooding that recently occurred there.
Beaver Creek Ponds Project
By regulation, the Beaver Creek Ponds Project is currently closed to all fishing.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Ice fishing has officially ended. Anglers in boats have been venturing out on the lake to take advantage of the early crappie bite. Walleye season ends on Commonwealth Waters on March 15.
Shenango River
From the January PFBC Board of Commissioner’s meeting, the PFBC approved adding Section 3 of the Shenango River, Mercer County, to the Stocked Trout Open to Year-Round Fishing Program. This section was added to the adult trout stocking program in 2017 to mitigate lost angling opportunities on Section 4 of the river. The change allows anglers to fish for trout on a catch and release basis between March 1 and the opening day of trout season and to fish for warm water species during the same period. A trout stamp will be needed to fish in Section 3.
Area Trout Stocked Waters
A reminder that all Trout Stocked Waters will be closed to all fishing from March 1 until 8 am on the opening day of trout season on Saturday April 14.
Northeastern Region
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:http://www.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 at www.gonefishingpa.com
There will be a PA Basic Boating Class offered at Nescopeck State Park on March 17th. This course is required for anyone operating a motorboat greater than 25hp, who was born After January 1st, 1982. It is also required for anyone operating a PWC, regardless of age. Class begins at 8:00am, and pre-registration is required. Check the website for additional information.
Anglers are reminded that Stocked Trout Waters are closed from March 1st until the Regional Opening Day of Trout or the Regular Opening Day of Trout season. Anglers should consult the PA Fishing Summary booklet on the Trout waters that are included in the Regional Opening Day of Trout and the Regular Opening Day of Trout Season.
Those interested in assisting the Commission with our trout stocking program need to check our website for dates, times and meeting locations. Also, remember to dress for the weather. Wear sturdy footwear and only do what you feel is safe for you to do while at a stocking. Helping stock is great way to have fun and give back to the resource.
The trout stocking list is organized by county and can be found at: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in upper 30s. With recent rain events, the water is high and off color. More rain is predicted over the next few days, so water levels could rise again.
Anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns (e.g. size 6-10) in the colors olive or black. Target stream banks and structure.
If the water is up and dirty, search for areas with “clean water” coming from tributaries and/or side channels.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the upper 30s. With the recent rain events and snow melt the water is high and off color. More rain will cause the stream to rise again in the next few days.
Anglers using dark colored streamers along the edges of high water are catching a few trout. Patience is key for an exciting take!
Northcentral Region
With recent rain events and melting snow, streams and rivers are tempting for kayakers to get on the water; however, all boaters should use extreme caution when venturing out for early spring experiences on the water.
REMINDER – NOVEMBER 1st – APRIL 30th it is MANDATORY COLD WEATHER LIFE JACKET WEAR – http://www.fishandboat.com/boat/boatingregulations/pages/mandatorypfd.aspx
DO YOU know how to be SAFE on the water?
TEST your PADDLING KNOWLEDGE, using PA’s FREE Paddle Sports Safety Course – https://www.boaterexam.com/paddling/
Trout stocking schedules are UP! – http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
REMINDER –
STOCKED TROUT WATERS will be closed to fishing beginning March 1st. They will RE-OPEN on opening day (REGIONAL OPENER – March 31, 2018; STATEWIDE OPENER – APRIL 14, 2018)!
MORE INFORMATION ON STOCKED TROUT WATERS – http://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/troutwaters.html
Southeastern Region
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Waters designated as Stocked Trout Waters will be closed starting on March 1 until the opening day of Trout Season.
Bucks County
Trout stocking starts next week here in Southern Bucks County. Bring the family and lend a hand putting the trout into our waters.
Mentored Youth Trout Day is on the March 24 this year beginning at 8:00AM. Youth under 16 years old and accompanied by a mentor (mentor MUST have a valid fishing license AND trout permit) can fish in certain trout stocked waters before regional opening day. For more information and specific rules and regulations pertaining to mentored youth day, visit our website at http://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Pages/MentoredYouthProgram.aspx.
The only two locations that will be stocked for Mentored Youth Trout Day in Southern Bucks County are Levittown Lake and Lake Luxembourg at Core Creek Park.
Regional Opening Day of Trout this year is March 31 at 8:00AM. Last year, many anglers caught trout using yellow and green paste bait, as well as trout magnets.
As a continued reminder, mandatory cold weather personal flotation device wear remains in effect. Visit our site at http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafety/Pages/default.aspx for more details.
Chester County
The White Clay Fly-Tying club will meet at 6PM on Thursday March 1 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. With the cold weather upon us, many of us are looking for a place to go or some activity to hold us over until we can wet a line again and this is the perfect thing. Fly tying materials are provided for those who do not yet have their own. Several flies are usually demonstrated and club members are happy to show you how it’s done, as well as spin a few stories about the last huge one that got away. Club mailing address is P.O. Box 762, Landenberg, PA 19350 for more information. Parking for club is behind the White Clay State Park Office.
The Middle Branch White Clay Creek Delayed Harvest, Trophy Select, will be stocked with Trout on Thursday March 8th. We will be meeting at noon at the Avondale Post Office and then head down to Good Hope Road off of 896 to stock the Middle Branch of the White Clay Creek Delayed Harvest Section first and then head to the White Clay Creek Section 2, from the Guernsy Road Bridge to Good Hope Road. To get to the White Clay Creek, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section, take Route 41 to just south of Avondale and turn right (south) on Penn Green Road. Follow Penn Green Road to Good Hope Road and turn right on Good Hope. Go past Bank Road and Crestwood Road and you will come to the top of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures only section of the White Clay which is the Good Hope Road Bridge over the Middle Branch of the White Clay Creek.
The French Creek, sections 2, 4, 6 & 8, will be stocked on March 3rd. We will meet the big white truck full of family fishing fun at noon at the Ridge Fire Company on Route 23. This is a rare Saturday stocking here in Chester County and it is your chance to bring a child along to participate in the stocking as well as to give something back to the resource.
The East Branch Brandywine Creek, Section 2, will be stocked on Tuesday, March 6th. We will meet the big white truck full of family fishing fun at noon at the Glenmore Fire Company off Route 282. This is your chance to participate in the stocking as well as to give something back to the resource.
Delaware County
Stream conditions in Delaware County remain higher than average, however they are quite fishable. Several anglers were observed in the Ridley Creek Fly Fishing Only over the weekend. Anglers indicate that they have still been catching trout from the Sycamore Dam down to the bridge by the parking lot. Anglers are starting to wet lines in the Delaware River as well. Striped Bass typically start running in March, but the District WCO has yet to hear of any reported catches.
Trout stocking in Delco begins on March 2. Attached is a condensed stream stocking list for download. Please come and join us in the fun.
The annual Delaware River Striper Tournament is set for April 14 this year. The tournament benefits local veterans. Visit their website for more information http://www.drst.org/
Youth Mentored Fishing Day will be on Saturday, March 24 this year. Please take notice of which streams have been stocked before you participate. Not all streams will have been stocked yet!
If you don’t have your Safe Boating Certificate, you are in luck. The District WCO will be giving the Basic Boating Course at the Delaware County 911 center on March 15 and 16 from 5-9 P.M. This is the course that everyone needs to operate a personal watercraft in Pennsylvania regardless of age (minimum age 12). Cost is free!