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
Erie Tributary Streams
Steelhead continue to push into the entire stream when conditions allow. Anglers are catching a few big brood stock Brown Trout throughout several streams using various egg patterns, minnows, and egg sacks.
Presque Isle Bay
Shore fishing has been picking up at the Port Authority Building and off Waterworks on the park. The East and West Basin Ponds on the park and the Gravel Pit in Fairview have received their winter stocking of Brown Trout.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
It is official that starting January 1, 2019, crappie must be 9 inches to keep with a creel limit of 20 fish. With the early winter weather that we have been having, 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
Elk County
Tioga County
Ice conditions haven’t changed since last week’s report. With a short warm-up predicted over the next few days, the ice will degrade a bit. Keep your fingers crossed for winter weather to return soon.
Hills Creek Lake
A few anglers were on the ice; however, warm weather will change conditions quickly. Most of the anglers were fishing near the stumps end.
Remember to check ice conditions before venturing onto any waterway.
Hamilton Lake
The launch area reopened from ice and the edges are mostly thawed on the lower end too.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water levels is up and the color is green. The water temperature is in the low 40s.
Target the deep, slow pools and soft edges. Many trout are “schooled” up in these areas. Nymph patterns that are working include flashback pheasant tail #14-18; pats rubberlegs #8-12; frenchie #14-18 and brown/black stonefly patterns #8-12.
Anglers continue to catch 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
Currently the water is high and clearing; however, with rain predicted over the next day or so, conditions will change. The temperature is currently in the low 40s.
Anglers are catching trout in the deeper pools of the stream. Make sure your nymph(s) or streamers are on the bottom and drifting right in front of the trout.
Patterns that are working include – hares ear #12-16; flashback pheasant tail nymph #14-18; brown/black stonfly nymphs #8-12).
Anglers continue to catch trout using small, olive or black streamers (#4-8) along the banks.
Northeastern Region
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. Use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall though the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx
Northern Wayne
The hardwater has arrived. Ice fishermen are reporting good catches of perch and pickerel at Prompton Dam and Belmont Lake. Walleye are hitting on the Delaware River.
Northern Susquehanna County
Walleye are active on the Susquehanna River near Oakland and Great Bend.
Eastern Bradford County
Walleye are active on the Susquehanna River from Sayre to Wyalusing.
Western Bradford & Sullivan Counties
The season’s first ice fishermen have been on Hunters Lake. Please watch the early ice conditions carefully as forecasted rain will diminish ice quality.
Southeastern Region
All boaters are reminded that the cold weather mandatory PFD wear period is in effect as of November 1 and remains in effect until April 30, 2018. Check our website for details.
Bucks County
Anglers are still having luck at both Levittown Lake and Lake Luxembourg catching beautiful Rainbow Trout using a variety of spoons and paste baits.
Berks County
Kaercher Creek Lake was stocked with trout on December 11.
S. Chester County
A Basic Boating course will be held at Hibernia County Park Mansion House at 1 Park Road in Coatesville. This is a two-evening class on Tuesday, January the 29th and Wednesday the 30th from 3 PM to 7 PM, you must attend both evening classes to get credit for the course. Boating Safety Education Certificates are required for all operators of personal watercraft, regardless of age, and for boat operators born after January 1, 1982 that operate motorboats of more than 25 horsepower. This free PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) course is designed to help boaters make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide course materials and information via a classroom setting to help you reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Those who successfully complete the course may obtain this certificate, which is good for a lifetime (fees apply). A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction is required to pass the course. Participants should bring a lunch and snacks. Space is limited so register soon. Pre-registration is required by emailing Andy Desko at adesko@pa.gov or by phone at 215-968-3631. Get more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL
A Basic Boating course will be held on Saturday, February 23rd at Hibernia County Park Hibernia Mansion at 1 Park Road in Coatesville, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Boating Safety Education Certificates are required for all operators of personal watercraft, regardless of age, and for boat operators born after January 1, 1982 that operate motorboats of more than 25 horsepower. This free PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) course is designed to help boaters make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide course materials and information via a classroom setting to help you reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Those who successfully complete the course may obtain this certificate, which is good for a lifetime (fees apply). A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction is required to pass the course. Participants should bring a lunch and snacks. Space is limited so register soon. Pre-registration is required by emailing Andy Desko at adesko@pa.gov or by phone at 215-968-3631. You can also get more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL