Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Fishing has been slow with the transition to spring. Anglers are catching panfish by using minnows suspended over the weed beds. Expect Hybrid Striped Bass to be moving into the shallows for spawning Alewife within the next few weeks.
Trout Stocked Waters
Many trout streams in Butler County have been stocked at least once in-season with low fishing pressure. As of 5/1, water temps are still in the 50’s with good fishing. Last stocking in Butler County occurs on Slippery Rock Creek on 5/18.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill, crappies, Yellow Perch, and a few Largemouth Bass. Please keep in mind that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use this facility.
Piney Dam and the Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching some Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Please keep in mind that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Mill Creek and Gravel Lick Access Area’s.
Lower Clarion River (Piney Dam to Confluence with Allegheny River)
Anglers are catching Muskellunge, Walleye, and Northern Pike near the confluence with the Allegheny River.
Allegheny River (Emlenton to Lock #9)
Anglers are catching Northern Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass in the Parker City area. Please keep in mind that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Parker City and Brady’s Bend Access Areas.
Redbank Creek
Anglers are catching Northern Pike and a few Walleye below the dam in New Bethlehem. Some anglers are catching Northern Pike and a few Muskellunge at the confluence with the Allegheny River. Anglers are catching trout from the dam in New Bethlehem upstream to Mayport.
Area Trout Streams
On 4/24/18, Mill Creek, Canoe Creek, Beaver Creek, and Turkey Run were stocked with trout. On 4/26/18, Toms Run, Coon Creek, and Redbank Creek were stocked with trout.
In-season Trout Stockings
- 5/7/18 Bear Creek & East Sandy Creek – Meet the stocking truck at 11:30 am at the Bruin bowling alley located on SR 268 in Bruin.
- 5/11/18 Redbank Creek – Meet the stocking truck at 10:30 am at Plyler’s Buffet & Family Restaurant located on SR 36 in Brookville.
- 5/15/18 Cathers Run & Mill Creek – Meet the stocking truck at 10:45 am at the Leeper Red & White Store located at the intersections of SR 36 & 66 in Leeper.
- 5/17/18 Piney Creek, Piney Creek DHALO Area, Leatherwood Creek – Meet the stocking truck at 11:15 am at Exit 64 of I-80 at the Rehobeth Church Road Parking Lot.
- 5/21/18 Toms Run – Meet the stocking truck at 11:30 am at Cooks Forest State Park Office located on SR 36 in Cooksburg.
Crawford County
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappie, Yellow Perch, and large Bluegill at the north end. Firemans beach launch is closed for reconstruction and is tentatively scheduled to be completed by June.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching crappie, Yellow Perch, and a few Walleye throughout the entire lake.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching crappie, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill. Anglers are targeting structure near shallow areas in the northern bays. There is a fish kill near Sheakleyville Road in the north end of the lake. The biologists suggest the most likely cause is due to spawning stress and it has happened as well in the past three years.
Northcentral Region
Get your 1, 3, 5 OR 10 YEAR FISHING LICENSE ONLINE NOW – http://www.gonefishingpa.com/
Find a “Stocked Trout Waterway” near you! – http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Tioga County
The trout fishing throughout Tioga County has been slow for most anglers, likely due to the colder temperatures. Anglers who have been mobile have are reporting the most success. These anglers have been using white spinners, red fin minnows (Blacknose Dace), and butter worms. Many of the stocked trout streams have an abundance of fish left from pre-season stocking efforts. Several sportsmen’s organizations and PFBC cooperative nurseries are still supplying fish to the stocked trout waters.
With the recent “warm-up” in temperatures, Quill Gordons and Hendrickson may flies are emerging. Rising trout have been seen on a number of different Class A wild trout streams. If you are an angler who desires to pursue wild and native trout, these emerging invertebrates can provide for a very memorable and exciting fishing experience.
NOTE – Though the mandatory wear period for life jackets has passed, Pine Creek is still a chilly 50 degrees, and cold water shock is still a factor that all canoeists and kayakers should consider. Please consider wearing your life jacket, and most of all have all required safety equipment on board your vessel.
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching trout, using live minnows, paste baits, butterworms and waxworms. A few fly anglers are catching trout using small streamers and wet flies.
Anglers are also catching sunfish and Yellow Perch using minnows and redworms/night crawlers.
Lyman Run Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegills using live minnows, butterworms, wax worms and meal works, fished under a float.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill and Yellow Perch. Live minnows and redworms are working best.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake Spillway
Anglers continue to catch Crappie, Yellow Perch and Bluegill using butterworms, red worms, yellow twister tails, and beadhead nymphs.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching bass using crank baits and spinners. Hunter Run Cut has been the most successful area.
Spring Creek
Water temperatures are in the mid-40s.
Anglers are seeing lots of crane flies hatching. Tan Caddis are hatching and trout are rising to them. Midges are everywhere and you might see a few sulphur mayflies begin to hatch over the next week!
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (black zebra midge #18-22; olive nymphs #18; baetis emergers #18-22; Walt’s Worms #12-16; olive scuds #14-18).
Anglers are also catching trout using dry flies (Tan Caddis #14-16; Blue Wing Olive#18-22; Crane Fly #14-16; Midges #22-26).
Anglers are also catching trout using yellow or cream sucker spawn (#12-16).
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the upper 40s. Great water flow. Hatches are getting good!
Most success is subsurface. Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (Frenchie #14-18; prince nymph #10-14; hares ear #12-16; black/brown stonefly nymphs #8-12).
When fish are rising, anglers are catching trout using Blue Wing Olives (#18-22), midges (#22-26), Tan Caddis (#12-14); Blue Quill (#16-18); Hendrickson (#14-16); March Brown (#8-12).
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are still catching and releasing a few Smallmouth Bass, using lures and streamers.
Anglers fishing near islands, structure and/or drop-offs are having the most success.
Northeastern Region
Western Bradford and Sullivan County
Sunfish Pond
Following the most recent stocking at Sunfish Pond the trout were very active and striking at a variety of baits. Also, a hatch was coming off and the trout started to work the surface. Panther Martins, CP Swings, Trout Magnets & a variety of top water flies were eliciting strikes.
Wyoming and Northern Luzerne
Area waterways are finally starting to warm up and along with it hopefully so will the bite. Area trout streams have been productive but not much has been going on anywhere else. Look for trout to start hitting early in May in our lakes. Panfish and catfish as well should come on shortly after.
Make sure you check out all your boating equipment prior to heading to the launch. Sure, you want everything to run correctly but more importantly make sure all your safety equipment is ready to go.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
The boating season is fast upon us, and now that the temps are climbing into the 70’s, a lot of boaters are heading out onto the lakes and rivers. Please make sure that you have placed all or the required safety equipment on your boats and that your registrations are current. Start off this season’s boating adventure with a smile and not a ticket. Water temps are still a bit chilly so please make a good decision and wear your life jackets.
Delaware River
The Shad run is in full force here on Delaware River. The shad are in good numbers around the Zane Gray Access Area and upstream. Anglers are having a ball.
Lake Greeley and Shohola Lake
The perch and crappie are biting very well in Lake Greeley and Shohola Lake.
Lake Wallenpaupack
Lake Wallenpaupack is still running a little cool but the striped bass and walleye are starting to hit along with some catfish. The panfish are always a good choice in the lake also.
Southeastern Region
Southern Bucks County
The weather is warming up and boats are being launched. Make sure all of you required safety equipment is not only on board, but in good and serviceable condition. Check your fire extinguishers to make sure they are U.S.C.G. approved and fully charged. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) or lifejackets need to also be U.S.C.G. approved and in good working condition.
As paddling is becoming more popular in our area, it is important to note there are also mandatory safety equipment requirements for all paddle craft as well.
Although the mandatory cold weather wear period is over, there are still rules and regulations you need to abide by. It is still recommended to always wear your PFD!
Please visit our site for more boating information and checklists.
Boating Main Page: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/Pages/default.aspx
Regulations: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/default.aspx
Safety FAQ: http://www.fishandboat.com/LearningCenter/FAQs/Pages/BoatingSafetyPWC.aspx
Lancaster County
