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 by using minnows suspended over weed beds.
Trout-Stocked Waters
All Trout Stocked Waters are closed from March 1 to the opening day of trout season on April 14. Check your fishing summary rule books or online for the affected waterways in your area.
Mentored Youth Trout Fishing
Statewide Mentored Youth Day is Saturday April 7, 2018 from 8am – 7:30pm. A reminder that special regulation waters are not part of this program. Please consult your Fishing Summary Book or the Mentored Youth Program for more information. The Connoquenessing Creek in Butler County will not be stocked in time for this event.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching crappies, Yellow Perch, and Walleyes. Hot spots are at the Spillway, Bridge 20, and Stewarts Bay. In addition, the bay near the dam anglers are catching crappies across from Lago Winery.
Linesville State Fish Hatchery
“A Day at the Hatchery” will take place on Saturday April 7th from 11am until 3:30pm. This free annual open house is a great family event for all ages. Learn what it takes to produce a Walleye, talk with staff from other local conservation agencies, and talk with a biologist about your local lake system. Buy your 2018 PA fishing license to be ready for opening day.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappies on the north end in the channels.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching crappies and Bluegill in the stumps and launch 3 area. Several nice Walleye have been caught during the PFBC spring Walleye assessment of Lake Wilhelm.
Venango County
TROUT OPENER AND KIDS
Here are five kid friendly spots on a handful of Venango County’s Stocked Trout Waters…
(1) Justus Lake; Twomile Run County Park—within Oakland Township & Sugarcreek Borough
(2) Oil Creek; Oil Creek State Park & Bike Trail—within Cornplanter, Cherrytree & Oil Creek Twp(s).
(3) East Sandy Creek; SR 322 through Rockland Road (Rails to Trails Bike Path)—in Rockland Twp.
(4) Sandy Creek; Raymilton through Reeds Furnace—in Mineral & Sandy Lake Township(s).
(5) Sugar Creek; SR 427 Bridge through Baseball Field(s)—in Cooperstown Borough.
AN ANGLER’S CODE OF ETHICS:
As the 2018 trout season will soon be upon us, please keep the following in mind. When afield, practice sound conservation ethics; be mindful that landowners are not required to post against trespass. Pennsylvania law requires that you, the land user, obtain prior permission of the landowner before engaging in any activity on their property. Many local landowners extend anglers the courtesy of fishing opportunities on their lands; as such, you are their guest. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission signage is routinely placed along those stream sections open to public fishing. When in doubt, stay out. Remember, ethical anglers DO NOT litter. Additionally, they do not camp, build fires, cut trees, block gates, roadways, or driveways, nor do they operate any motorized vehicle (ATV’s included) on property of another without advanced permission of the landowner. These unlawful actions will, and do, get ground POSTED!
Northeastern Region
Carbon County
On Saturday, April 07, 2018 at 8 am, the Mentored Youth Trout Day will occur on those stocked trout waters that are part of the Regular (Statewide) Opening Day of Trout (April 14th at 8 am). Youth under the age of 16 with the required Mentored Youth Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current PA Fishing License and trout stamp. For more information on the Mentored Youth Program please visit the agency’s website at www.fishandboat.com/mentoredyouth.htm .
On Saturday, April 21, 2018, Beltzville State Park will be hosting a one-day boating education class from 9 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for the class, but all participants must pre-register by contacting the Beltzville State Park Office at 61-377-0045.
The weather was near perfect for the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season on the Mahoning and Lizard Creeks. Both streams received heavy angler pressure. Most of the trout were caught using green paste baits, spinners, stick baits, worms and minnows. Anglers reported catching fewer trout earlier in the morning until the weather temperatures became warmer. Several anglers were observed practicing catching & releasing trout. Although the streams received heavy pressure on the Saturday Regional Opening Day, both streams had lighter angler pressure on Sunday. Anglers are continuing to report good success catching trout on both streams. Anglers are reminded that most of the trout stocking access areas in the district occur on private property. Remember to respect the landowner’s rights while accessing their property to fish and refrain from blocking driveways, parking in fire lanes, building open fires and littering.
Robert Hoffman of Lehighton proudly displaying his limit of trout he caught while fishing the Mahoning Creek on the Regional Opening Trout Day
Anglers fishing Beltzville Lake in recent weeks have reported good success catching bass near the power line area and the dam breast. Anglers are reminded that beginning April 14th through June 15th the bass season is closed and catching of bass is limited to catch & immediate release only.
Lackawanna County
As the mentored youth fishing day and the trout opening day approaches the streams, lakes and ponds are being stocked. Merli Sarnowski County park lake, Aylesworth Reservoir, DeSandis Pond, Roaring Brook, Lackawanna Lake, Lake Wilson and South Branch Tunkhannock will be ready for the mentored youth day (April 7).
Area streams are running fast and high. The water temperature in the Roaring Brook was 39 degrees on Tuesday April 3rd. The water temperatures at Merli and Aylesworth was at 40 degrees.
Paste bait, grubs, corn, pinhead minnows and spinning all work well for trout. Anglers using a variety of different baits usually fair best. With water temperatures low and streams running high, anglers will need to be patient.
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
MYT Day is coming this weekend. If you are mentoring a youth, please make sure that you follow the regulations governing that great program and get a youth interested in fishing.
Please check the trout stocking list to make sure that you fish in a stream or in an impoundment that has already been stocked!
Southeastern Region
Berks County
Siblings Melissa and Dave caught some large trout on opening day in Berks County! Melissa’s fish was 20 inches out of Furnace Creek in Robesonia and Dave’s fish was 23+ inches out of Wyomissing Creek in Mohnton
Bucks County
And so, the trout season begins! Thank you to all who have come out to help stock so far and thank you in advance to those planning to help during the in-season stockings.
On Mentored Youth Day and Regional Opening Day, anglers were successful using white, yellow, and chartreuse paste baits, as well as wax worms and even some spoons.
In other fishing news, anglers are reeling in some nice size Yellow Perch and crappies in the Tullytown Cove. Please take note that most of the areas with access to the shoreline around the cove are private property and require permission to enter. Fish responsibly and always carry all your trash out with you.
As a continued reminder, mandatory cold weather personal flotation device wear remains in effect until April 30. However, it is recommended to ALWAYS wear your personal flotation device at all times. Visit our site at http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafety/Pages/default.aspx for more details.
Delaware County
Delaware County anglers enjoyed one of the nicest Opening Days of Trout season in many years. Anglers came out and enjoyed sunshine and perfect stream conditions to be rewarded with many hook ups and stringers full of fish. The fish were biting right out of the gate at 8:00AM and were still active come lunchtime. The streams were pleasantly clean as anglers were keeping trash and litter in their pockets or in bags. The District WCO didn’t have a single problem or complaint and that makes their job much easier and rewarding.
The Striped Bass run has started. Although cold water temperatures have kept the fish from coming in up to now, some smaller fish are being caught behind the Philadelphia Airport. Anglers are reminded that as of April 1st, the Striped Bass regs change to a slot limit size of 21” – 25” with a limit of 2 fish daily. Anglers are reminded that if they are targeting Striped Bass, then they are required to possess a Saltwater Registry Tag as well. It is free and can be obtained here; https://www.pa-sarp.pa.gov/
Lancaster County
The Wednesday, March 28 stocking of the Conowingo Creek and Fishing Creek concluded Southern Lancaster County’s pre-season stocking events. Trout anglers have ample opportunities to put a trout dinner on the plate in fishing Saturday’s Trout Opener on any one of the 23 Stocked Trout Waters and Muddy Run Lake. In-season stocking will begin in earnest on Wednesday 4/4 with the stocking of Big Beaver and Little Beaver Creek. The East Branch Octoraro Creek with a section that falls within Lancaster County will be stocked on Thursday, April 5. The Little Conestoga Creek and Swarr Run will be stocked on Friday 3/30 [rescheduled from 3/23] & float stocked per below.
Anglers looking to get away from congregated areas should refer to below and last week’s Regional Report in scouting a location that allows for a solitary pursuit of their creel limit – per below:
Float Stocked Sections of Stocked Trout Waters
| Stocked Trout Water | Section |
| Conowingo -3/28 | Downstream from Black Bear Road – Downstream from Swift Road Bridge – Downstream from Goshen Mill Bridge – Downstream From 2108 Robert Fulton Hwy. To Sr 222 Bridge Downstream from Bridge at Goat Hill Rd. To Sr 222 Bridge |
| Fishing Creek -3/28 | Downstream From Silver Sp[Ring Rd. Bridge
Downstream from Drumore Park to Slate Hill Road |
| Little Conestoga Creek – 3/30 | Downstream from Miller/Buch Rd. Bridge –
Downstream from Ppl [Upstream Section to Manheim Pk] Downstream from Ppl To Flory Mill Downstream from 100 Yards Above Covered Bridge To 200 Yards Upstream of Harrisburg Pike Bridge |
| Swarr Run -3/30 | Downstream from 2878 Yellow Goose Road to State Rd. Bridge Downstream from Ye Old Mill Rd [Dead End] To Downstream of Gold’s Gym |
Montgomery County
Despite the apparent unwillingness of winter to yield to spring this year, the ongoing cold weather took a break on both Mentored Youth Day and Regional Trout Opening Day, giving us nice conditions for both. Many people attended the Mentored Youth Day, with lots of kids catching trout and having fun with their parents, and Regional Opening Day of Trout Season was a huge success with over 400 anglers enjoying the day on district trout stocked waters. We received many compliments on the nice trout we stocked this year. So, an incredible job was done by our Hatcheries staff and they deserve a lot of credit for that! As always, a huge debt of gratitude is extended to the volunteers that showed up despite some crummy weather to help stock the fish. Without those of you that show up every year to help carry buckets, trout stocking would be difficult at best and you all make it both easy and enjoyable…so thank you.
On the boating side of things, some paddlers and even some power boaters are starting to show up on district waterways. Please keep in mind that cold water is dangerous, and cold weather mandatory PFD wear requirements remain in effect until the end of April. Have fun and we’ll see you on the water!
Western Schuylkill/Northern Berks Fishing and Boating Report
The Regional Opening Day of Trout brought sunshine, relatively mild temperatures and little or no wind resulting in a higher turnout than the last few years. Anglers were successful on all area streams with the southern end of the district seeing a little more action than the northern, likely due to warmer temperatures in the southern part of the district.
The District WCO received several landowner complaints about anglers. These mostly had to do with parking and littering. Keep in mind that many stream areas that are stocked are privately-owned and that we are permitted to stock trout and you are permitted to fish through the courtesy of the landowner. The fact that trout are stocked there does not deprive the landowner of his rights. How would you feel if allowed someone on your property and they abused the privilege? Treat the property you are on as if it is your own. Appreciate the fact that you are guest on their property and give the landowner the courtesy they are due and thereby show your appreciation for the fact that they allow us on their property.
A specific note regarding Northkill Creek in Berks County: The WCO DOES NOT and for several years HAS NOT stocked trout in the vicinity of Old Shartlesville Road. This is private property and is posted against trespassing. There may be some remnant PFBC NO PARKING signs that are in evidence in the area, but the WCO will see they are removed. Anglers, please do not enter this posted private property. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, treat the property as if it were your own.
On the boating side, everyone is reminded that we are in the cold weather mandatory wear period until after April 30. All persons on all boats less than 16 feet in length, and all canoes and kayaks, are required to be wearing a personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) at all times while on the water. This is not a violation for which you will get a warning.