Northwest Region
Butler County
Harbar Acres Lake
This lake, located on State Game Lands 95, was recently stocked with Rainbow Trout. These were very nice sized trout and were very active when stocked. Harbar Acres affords sportsmen and women an opportunity to hunt and fish in the same general location. The best bait is usually minnows. If the action slows down, try fish putty off the bottom.
Glade Run Lake
Non-powered boats using the Commission’s Glade Run Lake property must have a valid PFBC launch permit, DCNR use permit or non-power registration. These permits or non-power registration must be properly displayed on the appropriate watercraft. This applies to all PFBC accesses. No fish may be taken except for trout during applicable seasons.
Note to Boaters
Starting on November 1st and until April 30 of next year, all persons aboard boats less than 16 feet in length and in all canoes and kayaks are required by law to wear a life jacket.
Crawford County and Western Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching bass, Walleye and crappie. There is very little pressure.
Conneaut Lake
Bass are still being caught.
French Creek
This is a great time of year for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye.
Western Erie County
Steelhead fishing is in full swing. We were off to a slow start but with the recent rain in the area the Steelhead have made good runs.
Walnut Creek
Many fish can be found through the chutes and at the falls. With the rising creek water Steelhead are expected to make their way above the falls.
Elk Creek
Elk Creek is still the hot spot. Steelhead have been seen all the way to the overpass at Interstate 79. Anglers have had good luck at the mouth on Elk Creek all the way the Struchan Flats area.
Crooked Creek
This waterway remains steady especially with all the rain in the area.
Water Temp: 50 degrees
Forest County
Allegheny River
Walleye and Northern Pike fishing should be productive on the Tionesta pool of the Allegheny River. Anglers generally catch Walleye and pike from boats and along the shore near the boat ramp and at the point of the island. Hunters and anglers are reminded that they must have a wearable life jacket for each person on board the watercraft. From November 1 through April 30, life jackets must always be worn while on board any canoe, kayak or boat less than 16 feet in length. Hunters using motorboats are reminded that they must have all firearms unloaded while the motor is in use.
Tionesta Lake
Musky fishing is generally productive throughout the fall and will continue until the lake freezes. Trolling along the shoreline seems to be the most productive method.
Tionesta Outflow
Muskellunge, Walleye and Northern Pike fishing is productive near the wall and the campground side. Downstream of the wall there is a fishing trail that provides access to the creek. Anglers are reminded that they must have a trout/salmon permit to fish in Tionesta Creek, from the outflow to the confluence with the Allegheny River. The permit is always required, regardless of whether you are fishing for or keeping trout.
Clarion River
Boaters using canoes, kayaks or boats less than 16 feet in length, must at all times wear a lifejacket from November 1 through April 30.
Spring Creek
The Marienville Rod and Gun Club stocked Spring Creek with adult trout in October. Anglers are reminded that the daily limit is now three trout per day and a trout permit is required to keep trout.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Given continued precipitation, which includes nearly 2.5 inches between October 26 and November 2, the USGS depth gage in Franklin currently reflects a water level of 10’-10”, which is nearly 4’-0” higher than the September reporting period.
Anglers were catching Smallmouth Bass and the occasional Walleye prior to the deterioration of conditions.
French Creek
The USGS depth gage in Utica currently reflects a water level of 7’-1”, which is just shy of 3’-0” higher than the September reporting period.
Anglers were catching Walleye prior to the deterioration of conditions.
Oil Creek
The lower Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures/Keystone Select section received its fall stocking on October 2, 2018.
The USGS depth gage in Rouseville currently reflects a water level of 06’-10”, which is just shy of 3’-0” higher than the September reporting period.
Justus Lake (Two Mile Run Reservoir)
Justus Lake will receive its fall trout stocking on November 7, 2018 at 10:30 AM.
Boaters are reminded that only manual, wind powered, and/or electric motor driven watercraft are permitted on Justus Lake. The use of internal combustion engines is PROHIBITED.
Mandatory PFD (life-jacket) Wear has Begun!
During the period of November 1 through April 30 ALL BOATERS are REQUIRED to wear a life jacket, AT ALL TIMES, while on watercraft less than 16 feet in length or ANY canoe or kayak.
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
Clearfield County
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Recent rain events has Fishing Creek water up and off color. Water temperature is in the 50s.
Fishing light-weight nymphs in the shallows and heavy stonefly nymphs in deeper runs is working well. Nymph patterns that are currently working include flashback pheasant tail #14-18; frenchie #14-18; green weenie #12-16; caddis larvae #12-16; stone fly nymphs, brown #8-12.
Anglers are also catching trout using streamer patterns (e.g. size #4-8 and colors olive or black are working). Nymph patterns are also working.
REMINDER:
Trout are spawning. Stay alert/aware and be cautious of your foot placement to be sure you do not step on their redds (egg nests in gravel). Let spawning trout do their thing and do not target them.
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water levels are up after the recent rain events. Water is off color, but fishable!
Anglers are seeing a few trout rising to Bluewing Olives in the later afternoons. Be sure to bring along a few BWO’s #18-22!
Anglers continue to catch 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. Worm patterns and mop flies will work too!
Northeastern Region
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.
Monroe County
Private community lake anglers and boaters used the nice weather to get out last weekend.
S. Wayne and Pike Counties
Anglers continue to have good luck catching Pickerel, Black Crappies and Yellow Perch in the smaller impoundments in Southern Wayne and Pike Counties.
S. Luzerne/Columbia Counties
With the fall stockings of trout completed, the seasonal schooling of panfish and water levels returning to normal on the river, fishing throughout the district has been on fire.
FEW Reservoir has been giving up phenomenal crappies. The hot bait is of course-fatheads or small, soft plastics. Find the schooling fish, and you will have success. Most days, they are being located at either the Bear Creek confluence, or the Lehigh River confluence. Helping is the fact that the dam is now at winter pool levels, which further congregates the fish.
Briar Creek Lake, Lake Irena and Lily Lake have all received fall trout stockings. The thing that remains similar on all these impoundments-fishing pressure has been virtually non-existent. Most have foregone fishing for hunting this time of year and that could be a mistake. Those anglers are missing out on some of the year’s best fishing, and some of the nicest stocked trout. While the DHALO section has not been stocked in recent months, the fish are there as well.
As for the Susquehanna River, the waters have finally leveled out and the smallmouth bass and walleyes are now feeding in preparation for winter. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Most success is coming from soft plastics and crankbaits, try any crawfish imitation.
Get out on the waters and go fishing! Until next time, tight lines.
Lackawanna County
Fishing and boating pressure has really fallen off over the past month, but anglers fishing Lackawanna Lake are catching plenty of crappie under the Rt 407 bridge. Pinhead minnows, small ice flies tipped with wax worms will do the trick. A few anglers are still fishing for trout at the lake. They are catching their limits at the south launch using paste baits and artificial fish eggs.
With temperatures in the upper 50’s and lower 60’s, the Bluegills and Crappies are really biting at most of area’s private ponds and lakes. Don’t put your rods away yet.
Southeastern Region
W. Philadelphia/S. Montgomery Counties
Fishing and boating activity was slow in the district throughout October. With the cold weather setting in, all boaters are reminded that the cold weather mandatory PFD wear period is in effect as of November 1st and remains in effect until April 30th, 2019 for vessels less than 16 feet in length and in all canoes and kayaks.
E. Berks/N. Montgomery Counties
With Fall upon us it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the cooler temperatures. Deep Creek Lake in Montgomery County is a great place for kids to enjoy a great day of fishing in the outdoors. Deep Creek Lake, which is stocked seasonally with Trout by the PFBC, also sustains a great Bass population as well as plenty of panfish, including Crappies, to keep the little ones’ attentions. The park’s main entrance offers plenty of parking, facilities, playgrounds, and access to all the hiking and biking trails.