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 panfish using a variety of bait. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch over weed beds.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching crappie and Bluegill in Stewart’s Bay using jigs tipped with minnows. The Spilllway is seeing Walleye fishing activity daily.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappie in the north canal.
Erie County
Area Steelhead Waters
Steelhead smolts will be going into the streams this month. Be careful with them. They are the future. Anglers are catching fresh run Steelhead in the eastern streams and in good numbers.
Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant is now closed until the first day of trout season.
Presque Isle Bay
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch along the Erie Bayfront from shore and in boats using minnows. The Yellow Perch size limit is 7 inches and the limit is 30.
Boating Registrations
Check your boat registrations because some will expire on March 31.
Lawrence County
Bessemer Lake
A special reminder that Bessemer Lake is no longer open to year round fishing, it is CLOSED to fishing until the opening day of trout season on April 14, 2018
Area Trout Stocked Waters
***Trout stocking will begin on March 3, 2018. A reminder that any Trout Stocked Water will be closed to all fishing from March 1 until 8 am on the opening day of trout season on April 14.
Venango County
Walleye Closure on Commonwealth Inland Waters
Anglers are reminded that Walleye season closes on March 15.
2018 Venango County Trout Stocking
Trout stocking in Venango County begins on March 7. Individuals wishing to help stock should look at 2018 Trout Stocking Schedules to verify the appropriate date and time of your favorite trout stocked stream(s).
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye throughout the deeper pools.
Oil Creek
With a return of open flowing water, anglers are encouraged to try either of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures areas (Petroleum Center & Drake Well).
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and crappies throughout the lake.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye near Starbrick Access Area. Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass near Betts Park in Warren. The area reportedly starts at Route 6 Bridge and continues through to the launch located in the park.
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.
Southern Luzerne & Columbia Counties
Unfortunately, the successful ice fishing season has ended with as much fury as it began. With an increase in temperatures and rain, there is currently no safe ice in the district.
There has been little to no activity on the Susquehanna River or other waterways. The local Trout Stocked Waters are now closed to fishing. Many anglers have been occupying their time, attending outdoors shows and forums. Many are just eagerly anticipating the opening day of trout season or tying flies.
Stocking dates have been posted on the website. What better way to do some “pre-season scouting”, and pass the time until you can again feel that tug on the line? Come on out and help sling some buckets and enjoy the camaraderie of the day with your fishing buddies.
Those venturing out onto the water in boats, are again reminded of the Mandatory Life Jacket Wear Period, in effect through April 30th.
Another great way to spend a day, is to attend a Basic Boating Course. There is still room available for the class being held March 17th at Nescopeck State Park. See the website for additional information.
For those who choose to sit in the house and wait for opening day of trout season; Fear not, April 14th is not that far into the future.
Lackawanna County
There is no safe ice in Lackawanna County. As of March 1st, Maple Lake was 90% ice free, Elmhurst & Curtis Reservoirs had a thin layer of ice that made them non-fishable. DeSandis Pond in Covington Township was completely free of ice. Fishing activity was very low during the past week. The Lackawanna River and Roaring Brook were running high and were difficult to fish. As the weather gets nice and the temperatures warm, look for the perch fishing to really get great. Fishing a worm on or near the bottom would work.
Monroe County
Private community lakes are ice free for the most part. Anglers have started fishing the open shoreline waters with little success. The fish appear to be in the deeper water yet.
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
REMINDER – Walleye fishing is good across the region; however, anglers are reminded that the season goes out on March 14th.
Tioga County
Anglers are catching Walleye at lake spillways across the county, using live shiners and chartreuse twister tails.
Union/Snyder/Northumberland/Montour Counties
March is finally here and the season is about to hit full swing!
Susquehanna River
With high water levels over the last week or so, Walleye fishing has been tough.
Stocked trout waters were recently closed, but you can come out to help PFBC stock!
Anglers who like to fish year-round can still fish special regulation areas of Penns Creek and White Deer Creek. Be sure to check all of the regulations and boundaries prior to heading out.
NOTE – Regulations for section 5 of Penns Creek are up for review at our commissioner meeting in April. Keep updated on the pending regulation changes on our webpage www.fishandboat.com
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 40s. Upper Spring Creek is high and green. Downstream of Bellefonte is still very high.
Anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns (e.g. size 6-10) in the colors olive or black. 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.
Keep an eye out for the blue wing olives!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the upper 30s. Water levels are still high and is off color.
Anglers using dark colored streamers along the edges of high water are catching a few trout. Patience is key for an exciting take!
Southeastern Region
Berks County
Lake Ontelaunee
Anglers are catching crappies not only out of the Peters Cove Section of the Lake, but out of the main body of the lake as well. Anglers have been tracking the wind and braving the cold to not only get crappie out of the Lake along Rte 73, but also on the east side of the lake off Maiden Creek Rd. Jig Heads with rubber grubs seem to be doing the trick.
Chester County
The stocking of Muddy Creek, Little Cocalico and Rock Run has been rescheduled for March 19 due to weather concerns. All other information including meeting location and time remains unchanged. Please mark your calendars.
S. Montgomery County/W. Philadelphia County
With the weather finally starting to warm up, anglers and boaters alike are starting to show up on district waterways. Trout stocking dates and meeting places are available on the website and app, so come out and lend a hand! Anglers are reminded that all Southeastern Stocked Trout Waters are closed until regional opening day at 8:00AM. Boaters continue to be reminded that cold weather mandatory PFD wear remains in effect until the end of April. As always, have fun and most of all – be safe!