Northwest Region
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2019 PA Fishing Licenses 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.
Erie County
Steelhead Tributaries
Anglers are catching fresh Steelhead in area Steelhead 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 minnow, single egg, or various fly/egg patterns under a float. The Steelhead limit is three a day.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Anglers are catching panfish throughout the reservoir. Starting January 01, 2019, crappie must be 9 inches to keep with a creel limit of 20 fish. With the early winter weather recently, ice fishing season will be here before you know it.
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
SAFETY NOTE – It is hunting season; therefore, anglers are encouraged to wear orange while fishing.
Tioga County
A few lakes have thin, slushy ice on them. A good start. Rain and warm weather is predicted over the next few days, but overall, the long-term forecast is looking good for a potential “mid-December” ice fishing season. Keep your fingers crossed!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The stream is up and off color. The water temperature is in the low 40s. Trout are in post spawning mode. Anglers are catching trout in the deep, slow edges and/or pools.
Nymph patterns that are still working include flashback pheasant tail #14-18; frenchie #14-18; brown/black stone fly nymphs #8-12.
Anglers are also catching trout fishing streamer patterns along the stream edges and in deep pools (e.g. size #4-8 and colors olive or black are working).
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
The lake is being drawn down to winter pool levels. No ice at this time and more rain is expected over the weekend.
Spring Creek
Water is up and dirty from recent rain events. Temperature is in the mid 40s. Snow melt 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 “go-to technique” this week. Anglers are catching trout using the following nymph patterns – hot spot sow bugs#14-16; bird of prey caddis #14-16; walt’s worm #12-16; mop flies are also working)..
Anglers continue to catch trout using small, olive or black streamers (#6-10) along the banks.
Northeastern Region
All anglers across the state need to be aware that deer rifle season starts Monday, November 26th and runs until Saturday, December 8th. If you are using Pennsylvania State Game Lands you are required to wear a MINIMUM of 250 sq inches of fluorescent orange, even if you are not hunting, until December 15th. While non-hunters are not required to wear fluorescent orange besides SGLs, wearing fluorescent orange while fishing is recommended during hunting season. A hat and vest will do the trick, to make sure hunters can clearly see you. Good luck and be safe!
The recent snow runoff combined with rain have pushed most streams and rivers to unfishable levels. For those trying to get in a few more fishing trips before the winter’s bitter cold moves in please keep an eye on waterflows at: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/rt. There are stream monitoring stations on many streams across the Commonwealth and checking these will help keep you safe and keep you off the water when water levels are too high.
Boaters are reminded that the mandatory PFD wear season is upon us. All persons in a boat less than 16 feet, or any size canoe or kayak, is now required to wear a flotation device regardless of age from Nov. 1 until April 30 next year.
Southeastern Region
The 2019 Pennsylvania fishing licenses can be purchased starting December 1! License vouchers can be bought as a gift for the anglers in your life!
Lehigh County
Due to cooler water temperatures, the Muskies have been active at Leaser Lake. Anglers are successful using large spoons, jerk baits, and lifelike imitation lures at depths from 10 to 20 feet. Most of the action seems to be coming from the West Launch near the dam breast. Anglers are catching mid-30 up to 41 inch Muskies. Remember November 1 to April 30 is the mandatory PFD wear period for all canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and boats less than 16 feet.