Northwest Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE – 2019 Fishing License go on sale December 1st.
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2018 and runs through April 30, 2019.
Learn more here – http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
Butler County
Area Steelhead Streams
Anglers are catching fresh steelhead in area waters. After rain events, anglers fishing stained water should use brightly colored egg sacks or skein to entice a strike. When the water level returns to low and clear, anglers should use lightweight line with a shiner, single egg, or various fly/egg patterns under a float. The Steelhead limit is three a day.
Lake Erie
Anglers are catching Walleye, Steelhead, and Lake Trout on Lake Erie using spoons and crawler harnesses. The docks at Northeast Marina and Shades Beach have been removed.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching nice Walleye at the Kinzua Dam tailwaters. The bait of choice is shiny poppers. At night, anglers are catching White Bass using stickbaits.
Northcentral Region
HUNTERS, ANGLERS and BOATERS IMPORTANT REMINDER – MANDATORY COLD WEATHER LIFE JACKET WEAR – November 1 – April 30th – Everyone on a boat less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks are REQUIRED to properly wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket.
For full regulation CLICK HERE – fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
REMINDER – Trout are spawning. Stay alert/aware and be cautious of your foot placement to be sure you do not step on their redds (trout nests created for their eggs in clean gravel). Let spawning trout do their thing and do not target them. Future generations of “stream bred” trout depend on your care this time of year.
Tioga County
Currently, it looks like things are shaping up for an early ice season in Tioga County! Most of the area lakes are starting to freeze. Over the past weekend, Hills Creek Lake was ½ covered with slushy ice. With temperatures rising it will likely be several weeks until it is “fishable”.
Pine Creek
Water levels are great and a few anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns and small crankbaits.
Tioga and Cowanesque Lake Spillways
Anglers are catching Walleye and Yellow Perch, using live fathead minnows and shiners.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water is up and off color. Snowmelt will continue to bring the water level up. Water temperature is in the 30s. With recent rain and snowmelt, fishing is slow and most of the trout are hugging the bottom of the stream. You will need to use weight to get to the fish.
Nymph patterns that are currently working include flashback pheasant tail #14-18; frenchie #14-18; green weenie #12-16; caddis larvae #12-16; stonefly nymphs, brown #8-12.
Anglers are also catching trout fishing streamer patterns deep(e.g. size #4-8 and colors olive or black are working).
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water levels are up. Water color is good. Temperature is in the high 40s. Snowmelt is creating slow fishing conditions. Trout are keeping to the bottom of the stream. A few trout are hanging tight to the bank in shallow water.
Nymphing is the way to go! Anglers are catching trout using the following nymph patterns – hot spot sow bugs#14-16; green weenie #12-16; walt’s worm #12-16; mop flies are also working. Peach colored egg patterns are also working.
Anglers are also catching trout using small, olive or black streamers (#6-10) along the banks.
Northeastern Region
Wyoming & Northern Luzerne Countiesy
Area lakes and ponds have been teasing us with skims of ice in a sign of what hard water anglers hope is a long ice fishing season. Many ice fishermen look forward to “First Ice” and can’t wait to get out on the water as soon as they think there is safe ice. However, this is a time for caution. Due to variables like wind and water current, stumps and other structure and subsurface springs judging the nature of the ice on an entire water body can be awful tricky. You may have 3-4″ of ice all around a pond but there may also be areas much thinner hiding beneath your feet. Always try to fish with a buddy and carry ice awls. A length of sturdy rope, PFD and a large walking stick can also be used to ensure your safety on early ice fishing trips. No matter what make sure that someone knows where you are going and when to expect your return when you must go solo.
Trout are still being picked up in area streams and creeks. Harveys Creek has been fishing well and there is hardly anyone taking advantage of it. Same thing goes for Bowman’s Creek both in the regular trout waters and the Catch and Release Fly Fishing Area.
The Susquehanna River is in great shape right now for fishing (especially after the conditions we have had to endure all summer). Just make sure you are wearing your PFD. Cold Water Wear has made a real difference in the number of fatal boat accidents in Pennsylvania. Even if your boat is greater than the 16 foot minimum for mandatory wear you should consider putting your PFD on to make sure you get back home at the end of the day.
Western Bradford & Sullivan Counties
A throwback lure, recently recreated by a small lure manufacturer, seems to be garnering a lot of attention from anglers and the fish. The green tiger stripe pattern with the fire belly is hot right now.
Southeastern Region
Lehigh County
Since PFBC’s final 2018 trout stocking on 10/22/2018 in this county, anglers are continuing to successfully harvest their three fish limit. Anglers report they are having successful outings in the area of the Allentown Police Academy on Little Lehigh Creek. The popular baits being used are bright colored spinners, small jigs, and live minnows. Please be advised Extended Trout Season is in effect. The daily creel limit is THREE in all Stocked Trout Waters and waters downstream of Stocked Trout Waters.
Northampton County
Anglers have reported catching some very nice wild brown trout in the 8-9” range in lower sections of the Monocacy Creek. Some of these browns are presumably there for spawning. Please remember that there is no harvest until next trout season in the Monocacy Creek section listed as “Class A and Stocked Trout Waters”. This section is from the Illicks Mill Park down to the Lehigh River.
Anglers have also been seen attempting to catch bass, and musky on the Lehigh River in Bethlehem Township. Many of these attempts seem to only yield Chain Pickerel, however. Anyone using a boat to fish from should exercise caution, and be familiar with the regulations, due to the cold water temperatures.
Schuylkill County
The Little Schuylkill River near Tamaqua has been exceptional for trout fishing in the last month. Very nice fish are being caught on spinners, meal worms, and minnows throughout the stream. Water levels are a little bit higher than normal for this time of year but that has helped most anglers. The Delayed Harvest section of the river near New Ringgold still holds nice trout as well but they are a bit pickier there. Wooly Buggers have done well through October in that section.
Tuscarora Lake has plenty of trout left over from the October stocking. Spinners have been working well, especially when trolled slowly from a boat. Yellow Perch and Pickerel are being caught with good success with minnows and an occasional Walleye will show up from time to time.
Locust Lake has been quiet with little angling pressure but can still make for a good day of fishing. Some trout are being caught from shore and the Perch and Bass fishing can be excellent this time of year. Locust Lake will be stocked with trout again December 11.