Pennsylvania Fishing Report – July 5, 2018

Northwest Region

Butler County

Lake Arthur

Hybrid Striped Bass continue to run shallow for Alewife. Anglers are catching Hybrid Striped Bass using live Alewife, stick baits, and large poppers starting at approximately 10pm until 1am. In addition, anglers are catching Hybrid Striped Bass off the bottom with chicken livers. Many of these fish are jacks, but put up a good fight. Try areas such as the mud flats near the dam, Bear Run boat launch area, Rt. 528 access area, etc. Hybrids must be a minimum of 20 inches and have a creel limit of two per day. For boat anglers, Walleye and Channel Catfish are hitting night crawlers on the roadbeds and railroad ballasts day and night. Anglers are catching Walleye by using just a hook trailing the night crawler’s body and just let the wind drift the boat.

Glade Run

Anglers at Glade Run Lake are not allowed to keep warm water fish species until further notice. The only legal species to keep in season are trout. Please review the regulation signs posted at the lake before recreating.

Erie County

Lake Erie

Anglers are catching Walleye in 50 feet of water on crawler rigs and plugs. Anglers are catching Lake Trout out of Northeast Marina in 100 feet of water with plugs. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, but it has been hit or miss. Anglers are catching Smallmouth bass at the W’s near Northeast Marina in 30 feet of water using drop shot rigs and jerkbaits.

Lake Pleasant

Anglers are catching panfish on Lake Pleasant with worms and bobbers.

French Creek

French Creek has dropped to summer levels, but continue to use caution when floating the creek.

Venango County

Allegheny River

Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, and a few Muskellunge throughout the Venango county stretch of river. Anglers are using soft plastic baits when the water clarity clears and using spinnerbaits or chatterbaits when the water clarity is stained. If you are looking for a nice easy 10-mile holiday float then look at Franklin to Fisherman’s Cove. The float provides the paddler with scenic views and great fishing!

Northcentral Region

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Cameron County

Sinnemahoning Creek

Sinnemahoning Creek was stocked with approximately 20,000 fingerling walleye during the month of June. This was a continuation of last year’s initial walleye stockings in the stream. At 1.5 inches the fingerlings can grow up to nine inches by this time next year. In three years they will have reached legal size of fifteen inches.

Northumberland County

Susquehanna River

The bass have been hitting well below the fiber dam on the Susquehanna River in Sunbury. Anglers have mentioned they’ve had luck with soft plastics (minnows, grubs and tubes). As the weather continues to be hot the bass may begin to drop into deeper waters. Remember to hydrate and wear sunscreen when you out. Be aware of the heat. Heat exhaustion will not take long to occur at these temps.

Tioga County

The lakes are fishing well and anglers are catching lots of bass using a variety of techniques. Stripers, walleyes, and panfish are also being caught.

Pine Creek

Pine Creek is VERY low and warm, so trout fishing has not been great. Trout are packed into the feeder streams and springs now. We need rain and cooler weather to improve the bite. Howevever, Smallmouth Bass fishing continues to be good. Crawfish patterns, small streamers, and live minnows are all working well.

Hammond and Tioga Lakes

Hammond and Tioga Lakes are both fishing very well. The bass are biting in shallow water, and offshore. Topwater action has been good in the late afternoons and evenings. Various plastics are working in shallow water. Off shore, crankbaits and dropshot presentations continue to produce. Look for offshore structure and dropoffs. Hammond is off color and brighter shad patterns are producing. Perch are biting well too on live minnows or nightcrawlers on Hammond. On Tioga, anglers are doing well with crappies still using live minnows. Hybrid stripers have been biting too. Drifting or trolling with night crawlers is producing fish throughout the day.

Cowanesque Lake

Cowanesque is also fishing well. Here too, anglers are finding bass in a variety of places. Target fallen trees and weed beds for the best action. Top-water lures around the weeds are working too. Some muskies have been caught around weed lines too along the campground shoreline and close to the dam.

Northeastern Region

Wyoming County and Northern Luzerne County

Area waters have been heating up quickly and with the heat wave hitting us this 4th of July week things will only get hotter. Look for fish in rivers and lakes to be looking for cooler water and more oxygenated water in areas where tributaries enter or where spring seeps bring fresh water into the area. Sunfish and bass should be found in areas where there is structure to provide cover and shade. Overhanging trees, undercut rocks and banks and docks should all shelter fish as we move through the summer months.

With the heat we are experiencing many days on the water will include time ‘in’ the water for families. Please ensure that you not only put your motor into neutral before letting passengers swim off your boat or picking up skiers but also turn off your motor. This second level of caution ensures that a beautiful day on the water doesn’t turn tragic. And, when swimming from your boat it is wise to make sure that everyone wears their life jacket. Unlike swimming from shore where you can judge the water’s depth as you enter when you swim from a boat the water is often much deeper than you may be used to. Something as simple as a muscle cramp can leave you to far from help and a Flotation Device can mean the difference between life and death.

Monroe County

Paddle boards have been increasing in usage over last few years. If you have a paddle in your hands you are considered a watercraft and need a personal flotation device, also known as a life jacket, on board. It is very convenient when the operator has it strapped to the board. That way when other people jump on to try paddle boarding they never forget a life jacket.

Southeastern Region

S. Montgomery/W. Philadelphia Counties

June was a busy month in the district, with many boaters and anglers hitting the water for summer fun. Area fishing tournaments and rowing regattas were a tremendous success, with plenty more to come throughout the remainder of the summer. We’ve officially launched our PFBC Gaun Fishing Centers here in Southeastern PA, featuring fishing and waterways information and activities for anglers of all ages and ability levels, so check the website for meet-up events in the area. As always, be safe out there!

N. Montgomery/E. Berks Counties

Lake Ontelaunee

Even through the recent heat wave, anglers are still bringing in Crappies from the warming water at Lake Ontelaunee. The District WCO recently weighed a very nice sized Crappie that fell short of the state record, but was still a trophy fish!