Northwest Region
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
Lake Arthur
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch in shallow weed beds throughout the lake.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Northern Pike and Yellow Perch near the Sand and Gravel Boat Launch. The river is currently high and the fish have moved into the confluence of the Allegheny River and Council Run. Anglers are catching Musky and Walleye fishing from boats in the Sand and Gravel pool.
Tionesta Lake
Tionesta Lake is high and free of ice. The boat launch is closed due to high water and debris. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Access, Nebraska Bridge, is flooded, but accessible from the parking lot.
Stocked Trout Waters
All Trout Stocked Waters are now closed to fishing or bait harvesting, until 8:00am, April 14, 2018. Please see the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission web site for trout stocking times and locations.
Lawrence County
Neshannock Creek
Fly fisherman are catching trout in the delayed harvest artificial lures only section using a variety of flies. The most common fly is an egg pattern.
Cascade Quarry
Anglers are catching trout using chartreuse and orange colored paste baits.
Northeastern Region
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is providing a free Fly Fishing Introduction Program on Saturday, April 21 from 10am to 2:30pm at Lackawanna State Park in Lackawanna County. Preregistration is required! For more information and to pre-register please visit: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/120530
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
Beltzville State Park will be hosting a Basic Boating Course on April 21 from 9 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for the course, but all participants must pre-register. Persons interested in taking the course should contact Beltzville State Park at 610-377-0045. The boating safety certificate is required of all operators of a personal watercraft (PWCs) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operate a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower.
Bradford County
Carbon County
Due to being ice free and recent snow storms there has been little to no fishing activity has been occurring on Beltzville Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake.
Anglers are reminded that Stocked Trout Waters in the district are now closed until the Regular Opening Day of Trout or the Regional Opening Day of Trout season. Anglers should consult the PA Fishing Summary booklet on the Stocked Trout Waters that are included in the Regular Opening Day of Trout and the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season.
Anglers are further reminded that the portion of the Lehigh River 0.33 miles upriver of the Glen Onoko Bridge located within the Lehigh Gorge State Park and downriver to the confluence of Mauch Chunk Creek, Jim Thorpe is a Stocked Trout Water and is closed from March 1st till the Regular Opening Day of Trout on April 14th at 8am.
Pre-season trout stockings are now underway in the district. The Lizard Creek is scheduled to receive a pre-season trout stocking on March 13th. Persons wishing to assist with this stocking can meet the stocking truck at the rear of the Andreas Post Office at 11:30 am. On March 15th the Aquashicola Creek will receive a pre-season trout stocking. Persons wishing to assist with this stocking can meet the stocking truck at the Aquashicola Post Office at 11:45 am. On March 19th the Buckwa Creek in both Monroe and Carbon Counties, and the Princess Creek in Monroe County will receive a pre-season trout stocking. Persons wishing to assist with these stockings can meet the stocking truck at the Kunkletown Post Office at 12pm. The Mahoning Creek will receive the pre-season trout stocking on March 21st. Persons wishing to assist with stocking can meet the stocking truck at Normal Square, Rt. 443 at 11:30 am.
On Saturday, March 24th at 8 am, the Regional Mentored Youth Trout Day will occur on the Stocked Trout Waters within the 18 Southeastern regional counties including on the Lizard Creek and the Mahoning Creek in Carbon County. On Saturday, March 31st at 8 am, the Regional Opening Day of Trout season will then occur within the 18 Southeastern regional counties including the Lizard Creek and the Mahoning Creek in Carbon County.
Wyoming and Northern Luzerne Counties
Area waterways have shed their winter coat of ice and are currently receiving their share of adult trout in preparation of the 1st Day of Trout Season. As always, your area WCO’s welcome your help getting these fish into the water. It is the best way to get information on where you can access area waters to pursue trout as well as to get an inside look at what will be in the trout stocked waters come the morning of the opener.
Anglers working the Susquehanna River have been getting a mixed bag of Channel Cats, Smallmouth and some real nice Walleye. If you get down to the river to try your luck please use caution along the shore. Banks are still slick and there are large chunks of ice spanning the shore in many locations. If you plan on launching your boat then watch for submerged obstructions. Many areas that may have been clear as late as last fall may have been filled in by logs or other debris.
Take it easy your first few times out and be sure to remember that during these times of cold water PFD wear is required on boats less than 16 feet in length and on all canoes and kayaks. While those aboard longer craft are not required to wear we certainly suggest that they do.
Before you know it, we will be dusting off water skis and filling towables with air in preparation for the summer boating season. Be safe on the water.
Lackawanna County
With temperatures well below normal many of the counties lakes, reservoirs and ponds have a thin layer of ice on them. Maple lake, Curtis and Elmhurst Reservoirs along with Lackawanna Lake are all ice covered and are not able to be fished.
Lackawanna Lake will be the first counties body of water to receive its allocation of preseason trout next week.
Northcentral Region
Get your 1, 3, 5 OR 10 YEAR FISHING LICENSE ONLINE NOW – http://www.gonefishingpa.com/
REMINDER – NOVEMBER 1st – APRIL 30th it is MANDATORY COLD WEATHER LIFE JACKET WEAR – http://www.fishandboat.com/boat/boatingregulations/pages/mandatorypfd.aspx
Trout stocking schedules are UP! – http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are occasionally catching Musky using large lures and fly patterns! The bite is slow, but worth the wait!
On sunny days, anglers are also seeing sporadic stonefly hatches on the river in the mid-late evening hours.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
A few anxious boaters are out testing their boats and prepping them for the season.
Anglers are catching Crappie and Bluegills near the roadbeds at Summer/Winter Launch and Hunter Run Cut. Minnows, under a bobber are working best.
At the spillway, water conditions are fast and high at the outlet. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch in the backwater, using worms, twisters and minnows.
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 40s and water levels are still above average. The water color is perfect!
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (baetis (blue wing olive) emergers #18-22; caddis larvae patterns (bird of prey caddis #14-16); walt’s worms #12-16; sucker spawn).
Anglers are also catching trout using nymphs (Bird of Prey Caddis #14-16; Walt’s Worms #12-16; hot spot sow bug #14-16). Be sure to target stream banks, structure, and current breaks.
Blue Wing Olives are around and a few fish are feeding on them both below the water and on top! Anglers are catching trout using dry flies (Blue Wing Olive #18-22; Midges #22-26)
A few anglers are still catching trout using olive or black streamers near the current breaks and banks (slumpbusters #6-10).
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the lower 40s and water levels are still above average. The water color is good!
Although the water is still high, the trout are hungry! Anglers are catching trout using streamers (black or olive) and nymphs (iron lotus #14-18; Frenchie #14-16; Prince nymph #12-16).
Keep an eye out of Blue Wing Olives as well!
Southeastern Region
S. Chester County
White Clay Creek East Branch Section 2
The White Clay Creek East Branch Section 2, from Glen Willow Orchard to the White Clay Creek Preserve Boundary has been stocked with trout. This section is Stocked Trout Waters and is closed to fishing until 8 AM on the regional opening day, this year that is March 31 at 8 AM. The stocking locations for the White Clay East Branch Section 2, were Glen Willow Orchard at 39-50’07.1″ North and 75-47’21.2″ West, Indian Run Road at Miller Drive at 39-49’05.8″ North and 75-46’57.7″ West, Indian Run Road at bend at 39-48’58.0″ North and 75-46’59.7″ West, Garden Station Bridge and Clay Creek Road at 39-48’09.2 North and 75-47’01.6 West, North Clay Creek Bridge and Church Hill Road at 39-47’51.2″ North and 75-46’56.9″ West, Auburn Road Bridge at 39-47’28.1″ North and 75-46’15.4″ West, Laurel Woods Road Bridge on Penn Green Road at 39-47’02.7″ North and 75-46’29.4″ West, Landenberg United Methodist Church Parking Lot at 39-46’42.0″ North and 75-46’18.9″ West, Thanks to Forest C. for coordinating the stocking, to the others for float stocking, and the individuals who assisted.
Middle Branch White Clay Creek
The Middle Branch White Clay Creek, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only, Trophy Select, section was stocked with Trout on Thursday, March 8. This section is also Keystone Select Trout Waters. Thank you to all the individuals who came out to help and special thanks to the White Clay Fly Fishers for the float stocking help. The stocked section is a 1.7 mile stretch that runs from Good Hope Road at 39 45′ 43.7″ North, 75 47′ 03.9″ West to the confluence with the East Branch White Clay in the White Clay Creek Preserve at 39 44′ 57.7″ North, 75 46′ 10.4″ West. The points that were stocked are Good Hope Road at 39 45′ 43.7″ North, 75 47′ 03.9″ West, the Iron Bridge on London Tract in the center of the section at 39 45′ 16.2″ North, 75 46′ 51.6″ West, and the Bridge on Sharpless Road at 39 45′ 01.9″ North, 75 46′ 16.3″, which is down toward the lower limit of the stocked area. Two years ago, our Southeast PA Fisheries Manager and biologist conducted a stream survey of the area at two different times on Saturday about three hours apart. Just about 60 anglers were surveyed and there was about a 50/50 split of fly anglers to lure anglers. They reported catching over 80 trout, over 20 of which were over 14 inches. A fly angler faired the best, he was using streamers and caught eight trout. Lure fishermen reported that trout magnets did well. Fishermen from PA, MD, DE and NJ were taking advantage of the opportunity to catch some big fish and many called the stream and its setting “beautiful”. The stream was float stocked by the White Clay Fly Fishers, and so the fish were well distributed which left lots of elbow room for anglers who were well spread out fishing for them. A few anglers complained that they were confused by the summary guide about whether soft plastic artificial scented baits are legal. Any baits are not legal in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Waters. With bait, there is a tendency to gut hook a fish which leads to its death and it is then no longer available to be caught. Two maps of the DCNR White Clay Creek Preserve are available, regular and large print at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_002972.pdf
Middle Branch White Clay Creek
To get to the Middle Branch White Clay Creek, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section, take Route 41 to just south of Avondale and turn 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 Middle Branch White Clay. Limited Parking is available on either side of the bridge. More parking is available in the lot near the Iron Bridge at London Tract in the center of the section. For more information on The White Clay Creek Preserve, you can call the park office at 610-274-2900. The park office is located at 39 44′ 48.1″ North, 75 46′ 27.2″ West. The nature center is located at39 44′ 46.4″ North and 75 46′ 29.6″ West.
We are fortunate to have an environmentally active fly fishing club here in Southern Chester County. The White Clay Flyfishers also host guest speakers on fishing topics and provide educational classes for both fly tying and fishing. They also raise money to purchase fish to add to the state stocked fish which provides local anglers with exceptional fishing opportunities in the White Clay Creek Trophy Select waters. Meetings are held starting at 7 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, so the next meeting will be on March 20. Meetings are held at the London Tract Baptist Meetinghouse at the intersection of Sharpless and London Tract Roads, Landenberg, PA. 19350, which is next to the White Clay Park Office. The Club is always looking for new members. For more information check out the website at whiteclayflyfishers.org
The White Clay Fly-Tying club will meet at 6PM on Thursday March 15 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.
If you live in Southern Chester County on the south side of 322, consider coming out this year and helping to stock the Stocked Trout Waters. The Stocked Trout Waters in Southern Chester County include Beaver Creek, Buck Run, Brandywine West Branch, Pocopson Creek, Elk & Big Elk Creeks, Octoraro Creek East Branch (in-season only), and four sections of the White Clay Creek (including one Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Section that is also a Keystone Select Trout Waters). We had very little help on some of the stockings which made it difficult to distribute the fish as evenly as we would have liked to. On the last stocking of the White Clay Creek, we only had three helpers. We often get the anglers who wants to call in and complain that his favorite hole was not stocked well enough, or for reasons of bad weather and proximity to the road and or, for lack of help, it may have to be passed by. The first thing we ask is if they came along to help stock and the usual answer is no. Stocking is a lot of fun and gives you a chance to give something back to the resource. It is also a great way to spend a day with a kid and to get them off the web and video games for a while. The web site below has been updated and will give you all the dates, times and meeting locations for any county in Pennsylvania. Thanks in advance for your help.
http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Beaver Creek, Pocopson Creek and Buck Run
Beaver Creek, Pocopson Creek and Buck Run will be stocked on Tuesday, March 20. We will be meeting the stocking truck across from the Sadsburyville Post Office at 11:30 AM. We have had very little help on our stockings. Please give something back to the resource that gives you so much and plan on coming out and helping us stock these fish. If you have not yet taken a kid on a stocking, put it on your list of things that you must do.
Schuylkill County
Little Schuylkill River
Although Stocked Trout Waters are closed until the Regional Opening Day of trout season, there are several opportunities to still catch fish this month. The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Area of the Little Schuylkill River is open year round and was stocked with trout on March 13. The fishing has been very slow lately but with a stocking of fresh fish the area below New Ringgold will be good and see moderate fishing pressure.
Tuscarora Lake
Tuscarora Lake also stays open year-round and will see little pressure this time of year. As this month warms up anglers can have success fishing for crappies and pickerel. Crappies will be in good numbers off any structures and can be caught with minnows or small jigs. Pickerel are most susceptible to large shiners but will also hit spinnerbaits and jerkbaits as well.
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River also gives anglers another place to fish. The river can be good for trout from New Philadelphia downstream to Schuylkill Haven. It also has a population of Smallmouth Bass near the Port Clinton area.