Northwest Region
Erie County
Steelhead Streams
Anglers are catching Steelhead on skein, minnows, and several egg pattern flies on several Steelhead tributaries.
Lawrence County
Cascade Quarry
Anglers are catching recently stocked trout on rubber worms. Anglers are using a variety of colors, but white rubber worms and chartreuse pastebait seems to be the best.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Anglers are catching White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass around the reservoir. Anglers are catching several species of panfish around the reservoir. It is official that starting January 1, 2019, crappie must be 9 inches to keep with a creel limit of 20 fish. The temperatures are dropping and the fish are starting to be active.
Northcentral Region
PA Fish and Boat Commission’s fall trout stocking is here! Check out our fall trout stocking schedule to find a location near you! – Fall Trout Stocking Schedule
Elk/Jefferson County
Northfork Redbank Creek (Near Brookville)
The Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only Area on the stream was recently stocked! Enjoy the fall foliage and good luck fishing!
Northumberland/Snyder/Union County
Susquehanna River
Water temps are dropping quickly. Anglers are catching Walleye using I had gold/ black Jerk Baits. Bouncing it off the bottom and working it slowly seems to work best. Fish are very sluggish, but anglers are still catching them. Anglers are catching bass in the shallow, backwater pocket areas. Fishing below the dam is hit or miss.
SAFETY NOTE: 50 degree water temperatures are well within cold water gasp/shock territory and although we are not in November yet, anglers are encourage to put on their life vests.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is starting to get low and clear. A few trout are beginning to spawn. Anglers should use caution when walking in the stream. Make sure you do not step on the trout “redds”/nest of eggs. They are the future of the stream!
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs. Patterns that are currently working include green weenie #12-16; caddis larvae #12-16; Frenchie #14-18; stone fly nymphs, brown #8-12. Target the shallow areas with lighter bugs and deep runs with heavier stoneflies.
Streamers are also working (e.g. sculpin patterns; slumpbusters (olive)
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water levels are great. Lower Spring Creek is also dropping nicely. A few trout are spawning. Anglers are reminded to use caution when wading in the stream. Make sure you are not stepping on the “redds”/trout nests of eggs. We also encourage anglers to not target spawning fish. The next generation of trout depend on you being a responsible angler.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (hot spot sow bugs#14-16; green weenie #12-16; walt’s worm #12-16; mop flies are also working).
Anglers are also catching trout using olive or black streamers (#6-10) along the banks. A few anglers are catching trout using dry flies (e.g. October Caddis #12-14; BWO #18-22; midges #22-26)
Northeastern Region
Carbon County
With the fall season now arriving it has also brought good fishing opportunities on the stocked trout waters and lakes in the district. Although several streams in the district had been flowing higher than normal, due to recent rain events, most of the streams are now returning to normal flow conditions. The Pohopoco Creek downstream of Beltzville Lake outlet has been providing good trout action. The Pohopoco Creek had recently received a trout stocking by a local sportsmen’s club. Anglers are reminded that the Pohopoco Creek is designated as both a Class A Wild Trout Stream and Stocked Trout Water, from the outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream to the cable across the stream at the Hideaway Hunting & Fishing Club. The extended trout season for this section of stream is a No – Harvest – Catch and Immediate Release Only.
Mauch Chunk Creek, Aquashicola Creek, and the Buckwa Creek in both Carbon and Monroe Counties have also been providing good trout action.
Anglers are also reminded that all other Stocked Trout Waters not governed by Special Regulations and all waters downstream of Stock Trout Waters during the extended trout season the daily limit is 3 (combined species). Anglers are encouraged to consult the PA Fishing Summary for further information.
Boat anglers fishing Beltzville Lake have reported good success catching nice size smallmouth bass. Although, a few Striped Bass have been reported to being caught during the day the best action appears to be better during the early morning or evening hours. Walleye have been recently caught near the upper reaches of the Pohopoco Creek bay area of the lake including near the dam breast area of the lake.
Bass action at Mauch Chunk Lake still remains good. However, most bass are less than the minimum size of fifteen inches. Mauch Chunk Lake is governed by the Big Bass Program Special Regulations. Boat anglers have been reporting good success catching pickerel off the boat launch B area of the lake. Boat anglers fishing for panfish have also reported good success off of boat launch A of the lake.
Fishing action has been slower on the Lehigh River in recent weeks due to the river flowing much higher than normal.
Monroe County
Private community lakes angling and boating action has decreased significantly due to colder weather. Trout anglers have been taking advantage of the situation to revisit Monroe County’s stocked waters. Many have had good results with the streams all to themselves; especially on the week days.
Southeastern Region
Bucks County
On 10/22/2018 the PA Fish and Boat Commission completed the last trout stocking for 2018 in Lehigh County. Trout were stocked in Little Lehigh Creek from Bogart’s Bridge downstream through the Parkway to MLK Drive. Numerous anglers successfully harvested their three fish limit. Please be advised Extended Trout Season is in effect. The daily creel limit is three (3) in all Stocked Trout Waters and waters downstream of Stocked Trout Waters.
Northampton County
Fall is a great time to be outside, and with the current stream conditions it’s a great time to go fishing. Anglers fishing for Smallmouth Bass have had success on the right upstream from the Rte 33 access point. Anglers have been catching trout in the lower sections of the Bushkill Creek in Easton City limits. Trout have also been caught (and released) in the Monocacy Creek below the Illicks Mill Dam. Please be sure to double check the PA Fishing Summary book based on the season, and specific location. The legal Bass length in inland waters (such as the Lehigh River) is different than it is for the Delaware River this time of year.
