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.
Butler County
Harbar Acres Lake
This lake, located on State Game Lands 95, was stocked with Rainbow Trout in late October. 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. Daily limit is three trout with valid fishing license and trout stamp.
Glade Run Lake
Non-powered boats using the Commission’s Glade Run Lake property must have a valid PFBC Use Permit, DCNR Launch Permit or unpowered registration. These permits or unpowered registration must be properly displayed on the appropriate watercraft. This applies to all PFBC accesses.
Lake Arthur
Anglers are catching Channel Catfish and Muskellunge ahead of first ice. Anglers are catching catfish off the bottom and Muskellunge by trolling with stick baits. Yellow Perch are also hitting on minnows.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill and Yellow Perch. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use this facility.
Piney Dam and the Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching a few Walleye and Yellow Perch. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Mill Creek and Gravel Lick Access Area’s.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching a few Walleye and Northern Pike from Emlenton to Parker. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Parker City and Brady’s Bend Access Areas.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill and Yellow Perch. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use this facility.
Piney Dam and the Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching a few Walleye and Yellow Perch. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Mill Creek and Gravel Lick Access Area’s.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching a few Walleye and Northern Pike from Emlenton to Parker. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Parker City and Brady’s Bend Access Areas.
Warren County
Kinzua Reservoir
Anglers are catching Walleye around Sugar Bay on the Kinzua Reservoir.
Allegheny Lake
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass around Betts Park by the Route 6 Bridge. Anglers are catching nice size Muskellunge on the river near Buckaloons. Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass using grubs near the PFBC Access Area.
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
Tioga County
Ice conditions are improving across the County; however, anglers should always check ice conditions prior to venturing out on the ice.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are currently ice fishing. Again, anglers need to check ice conditions prior to heading out on the ice.
With cold temperatures staying, Hamilton and Beechwood lake should be in better condition for ice fishing within the next week or two.
Clearfield County
Anglers are anxiously awaiting ice fishing season! Shallow water impoundments are beginning to ice over. Anglers need to consistently check ice conditions for safety and avoid structures, such as docks, woody debris etc
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Stream levels are great right now! The water temperature is in the low 40s and trout are eating! Fish the slow runs and deep pool areas.
Nymph patterns that continue to work include flashback pheasant tail #14-18; pats rubberlegs #8-12; frenchie #14-18.
Anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns along the stream edges and in deep pools (e.g. size #4-8 and colors olive or black are working).
Centre County
Spring Creek
The water levels are perfect for fishing! Temperature is in the low 40s. Trout are hanging out in the slow waters due to the cold temperatures.
Nymphing continues to be the “go-to technique”. Many trout are hanging tight to the stream bottom, so be sure your nymphs have lots of weight. 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
Wyoming and Luzerne Counties
Most area ponds have a skim of ice here or there but nothing to speak of in terms of fishable ice yet, with the current artic chill that could change. If this cold weather continues, we could see good ice before Christmas.
While you are waiting to get out onto the ice why not give stream trout fishing a try. Area Stocked Trout Waters still have plenty of hungry trout ready to give you a run. If you get out on the streams after trout remember that you should bring along some petroleum jelly to help keep the ice from clogging your eyes. Simply apply it to your guides before you start fishing and they will help shed water that would otherwise stick to the cold metal and freeze causing your line to hang up. Harveys Creek, Bowman’s Creek and Pine Creek all have healthy flows right now and surely have plenty of trout hiding out along the banks and eddies.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
With the weather still being wet and now turning cold, there is not much to report on. The lakes and ponds in the area have started to form skim ice but not of any thickness to support ice fishing. Lake Wallenpaupack is still open and there are still a few brave boaters venturing out before the freeze-up. The wearing of your PFD’s is not only a requirement for certain vessels, but it should be a no-brainer for any who would venture out this time of year. Cold water kills.
Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Lake is beginning to freeze over. The area from Kennedy Creek to the 407 bridge is still open water. The remaining parts of the lake are covered with ice. The lake is not safe for ice fishing.
Most of the other area private and public lakes have frozen over but are not safe as of December 7th. Remember the water company reservoirs are not open to ice fishing.
Southeastern Region
Northampton County
Anglers have been catching Brown Trout in the Stocked Trout Waters section of the Martins Creek and the lower section of the Monocacy Creek. Fly anglers have been nymphing, and bait anglers using butter worms to land these wild Brown Trout.
Anglers have also been fishing for Muskies in the Lehigh River below the Rte. 33 access, using various streamers and jigs.
Why isn’t the South West included