Northwest Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
2019 PA Fishing Licenses went on sale December 1st.
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear November 1, 2018 and runs through April 30, 2019. Learn more here.
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.
SAFETY FIRST: fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafety/Pages/default.aspx
Butler County
Harbar Acres Lake
This lake, located on State Game Lands 95, was stocked with rainbow trout in late October. The creel limit is 3 trout with the appropriate fishing license and trout/salmon permit. All fishing is prohibited after February 28.
Lake Arthur
The Muddy Creek finger of the lake continues to be a hot spot for early-ice crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Minnows or wax worm-tipped jigs are a good option. Floating a dead minnow just beneath the ice has been a good trick for Northern Pike and Muskellunge.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Ice anglers are catching nice Yellow Perch, crappies, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass.
Piney Dam
Ice anglers are catching some nice Yellow Perch and Walleye.
Lawrence County
Bessemer Lake
Anglers are catching trout through the ice using a variety of baits. Anglers are also catching crappies using green and white plastic worms.
Warren County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are ice fishing near the dam and catching panfish.
Northcentral Region
ICE FISHING IS HERE! LEARN ABOUT PA ICE FISHING AND SAFETY TIPS!
KEEPEMWET FISHING
Cold temperatures are not only dangerous for humans, but also fish. If you want a photo of a fish you catch and plan on releasing the fish to survive another day, KEEP the fish in the water.
CHECK OUT KEEPEMWET FISHING for tips on how to capture great photos of your fish “in water”
Tioga County
Hamilton, Beechwood and Hills Creek Lakes
Ice anglers are continuing to have luck at Hamilton, Beechwood and Hills Creek Lakes.
NOTE – Warm weather and rain will change ice conditions over the next several days. A few of the lakes and pond ice conditions have already begun to deteriorate. Winter weather temperatures will return over the weekend and in to next week.
Anglers should always check ice conditions prior to heading out on the ice.
Jefferson County
Cloe Lake
Anglers are catching trout using wax worms.
NOTE – Due to warm weather and rain, anglers need to check ice conditions prior to venturing out on the ice.
Lycoming County
Rose Valley Lake
Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass and Bluegill using small, tungsten jigs, tipped with spikes. Anglers are also catching panfish, using fatheads under tip-ups.
Anglers are also catching large Yellow Perch and pickerel.
NOTE – Ice conditions are not monitored. Anglers are advised to use caution and always check ice conditions prior to going on the ice. It is recommended that ice anglers wear a life jacket when on the ice.
Nicely’s Pond
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake Spillway
Due to warm weather and rain, ice conditions are deteriorating; however, before the rain and warm temperatures, anglers were catching lots of panfish at Hunter Run Cut and near the old road bed, just off the beach are of the park. Colder temperatures are expected to return next week, so stay tuned.
REMINDER – Anglers need to check ice conditions prior to venturing out on the ice.
Spring Creek
The water is up and a bit off color. The rain and snow melt will cool the water, causing trout to be more lethargic. The water temperature is in the mid 40s.
The following nymph patterns are working best – squirmy wormies #12; walt’s worm #12-16; olive scuds #14-18.
Anglers are also catching trout using streamers. Streamer patterns continue to work include, olive, black streamers #4-8.
Clinton County
Ice anglers are having luck across the County, using a variety of ice fishing techniques. With recent warm temperatures and rain, anglers need to check ice conditions before going out on the ice.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers targeting Walleye and Musky are out scouting open waters. A few are having luck with live minnows and others are having luck with large lures.
Fishing Creek
With rain and melting snow, the water is up slightly and a bit off color. The water temperature is in the mid 40s.
Anglers continue to catch trout using small streamers and jigging them along the banks.
Nymphs are also working well. Nymph patterns that are working include – Flashback pheasant tail nymph #14-18; Frenchie #14-28; black or brown stonefly nymphs #8-12
Streamer patterns that are working include – sculpin patterns; sparkle minnows #4-8
Whether you fish nymphs for streamers, be sure to get them on the bottom. Cold water temps are keeping fish on the bottom.
Northeastern Region
Carbon County
Mauch Chunk Lake
Mauch Chunk Lake has been providing good ice fishing activity in recent weeks. Ice anglers jigging small jigs tipped with wax worms were observed catching perch measuring between 11 – 14 inches and nice size bluegills. Most of the perch and bluegill action is occurring just east of the boat launch b. Ice anglers using tip – ups baited with minnow were observed and reported catching a lot of pickerel and bass. However, most of the pickerel and bass were less than the minimum size as required.
Beltzville Lake
Ice anglers fishing Beltzville Lake near the Preachers Camp access area were also reporting catching pickerel and bass. East of the Preachers Camp boat access in the area known as the hump, a few ice anglers had reported good panfish activity.
Remember, before venturing out on to the ice make sure to check the ice conditions. The ice may not be the same thickness all over. Avoid dark, honeycombed or porous ice areas and areas with multiple pressure cracks, brush, logs or docks. Always take a partner along and let others know where you are going and when you will return. Know how to dress for the cold and wear a personal flotation vest or have a throwable personal flotation device (seat cushion) in case of an emergency. It is also a good practice to carry a set of ice awls to pull yourself up onto the ice in the event you fall through.
Mauch Chunk Creek and the Pohopoco Creek
Several anglers have been taking advantage of fishing the district’s trout waters in recent weeks. Mauch Chunk Creek and the Pohopoco Creek have been providing good trout action. Anglers are reminded that the Pohopoco Creek is designated as both a Class A Wild Trout Stream and Stocked Trout Water, from the outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream to the cable across the stream at the Hideaway Hunting & Fishing Club. The extended trout season for this section of stream is a No – Harvest – Catch and Immediate Release Only.
Northern Luzerne County
Area waterways have plenty of ice for fishing but with the recent warming trend some places are starting to thin.
Harveys Lake
Harveys Lake has plenty of ice (7-10 inches in most spots) but with the wind currents and ice eaters around the boathouses some spots are getting a little dicey. Make sure you are cautious out there and drill a test hole when moving into a new area near open water. Anglers on Harveys Lake have been getting rewarded with some slammer yellow perch with the bite being most aggressive around dawn and then again in the evening twilight hours.
Frances Slocum
Frances Slocum has been giving up some nice panfish and the recent tournament sponsored by the Nanticoke Conservation Club was very successful!
Northern Wayne County
Lower Woods Pond and Long Pond
Ice fishing has exploded! Panfish are hitting just about everywhere. Jigs tipped with wax worms are doing the trick. Largemouth Bass are hitting just about anything from jigs to shiners at Lower Woods Pond. Pickerel are ravaging large shiners on tip ups at Long Pond.
Northern Susquehanna County
Dunn Pond and Lake Montrose
Dunn Pond is producing some nice crappie and perch while jigging with wax worms. An occasional walleye is being taken on tip ups and medium shiners. Lake Montrose is producing many quality bluegill and an occasional perch while jigging.
Eastern Bradford
Cook’s Pond
Crappie are hitting at Cook’s Pond on a variety of baits. Try jigging around sunset or medium shiners on tip ups during the day.
Wyoning County
Lake Winola, Lake Carey, Oxbow Lake and Stevens Lake
The ice fishing throughout the district has been steady with anglers being able to catch fish at all of the area lakes. The best waters have been Lake Winola, Lake Carey, Oxbow Lake and Stevens Lake. Live bait such as wax worms and minnows have been the most productive baits compared to jigs and spoons. Anglers fishing at Stevens Lake have been catching good numbers of small to medium sized Bluegill using wax worms and small minnows. Some nice Trout and Pickerel have been caught on minnows at Oxbow Lake; although anglers are having to work hard to catch them. Fortunately, the size of the fish have been worth the effort.
This week’s warm weather will deteriorate ice conditions, potentially making for dangerous situations for those venturing onto the ice. As always, check conditions and use extreme caution when planning any ice fishing trip.
Southeastern Region
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2018 and runs through April 30, 2019, while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length and for all canoes and kayaks.
The 2019 PA Fishing Licenses are available! Buy now and be ready for the season!
The 2019 Pennsylvania Trout Stocking Schedules are now posted on the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission website. To search for adult trout stockings in your county go to http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx and select your county and then the date range that you want, which could be for example from today to December 31st 2019 which would give you all the stockings in your county which will happen this year.
Chester County
A Basic Boating course will be held on February 23rd at Hibernia County Park Mansion from 8 AM to 4 PM at Hibernia County Park, Hibernia Mansion at 1 Park Road in Coatesville. The course allows participants to apply for Boating Safety Education Certificates, which 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, and we usually work through lunch if everyone agrees. Pre-registration is required at adesko@pa.gov You can also get more information on the web at http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_courses&DAY=ALL
For those of you looking for some fishing opportunities other than through the ice, the White Clay Creek DHAL Section, is flowing ice-free right now. The ice that had covered it has been melted by this last bout of warm temperatures. The DHALO section is from Good Hope Road, downstream 1.7 miles to the confluence with the mouth of the White Clay Creek. The White Clay Fly-fishers recently stocked the section with hundreds of beautiful brown trout, most in the 10 to 14-inch size. On a recent patrol over the bridges there were numerous large trout in the deep holes at each bridge crossing and virtually no fishing pressure. The weather should to continue to warm up a bit so here is your chance to land and then put back some nice fish. Remember that this is a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Section so make sure you follow the law, and don’t forget your fishing license if you’re 16 or older.
One of my many responsibilities of a Pennsylvania Waterways Conservation Officer is to review and approve, or not approve, Special Activities Permit Applications for a Fishing Tournament. Sometimes these groups will request to hold a bass tournament on the opening day of bass, as an example. Tournaments cannot be held on the opening day of any species of game fish, so these requests have to be denied and returned to the club, marked as disapproved. A quick summary of the rules might help; remember complete rules can be found on our website listed below, or in the unlawful section of the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary Book. If you are holding a tournament in which 10 or more people will be involved you are required to have applied for a special activities permit at least 60 days prior to the event, the permit form can be found at www.fishandboat.com and then once it has been granted, the permit will lists all the conditions, number of persons, boats, safety boats, culling, etc. Fishing tournaments may not target a species during the closed season. An accurate tournament catch report must be provided as required. Tagged fish tournaments in boundary waters also require a permit. The permit application can also be obtained from the Regional Law Enforcement Office in which you wish to hold the tournament. In Lancaster and Chester County that would be the Southeast Region, P.O. Box 9, Elm, PA 17521 or phone 717-626-0228 for more information.
The White Clay Fly-Tying club will meet at 6PM on Thursday February 7th at the London Tract Meeting House in the White Clay Creek Preserve, located at the intersection of Sharpless & London Tract roads, Landenberg PA 19350, next to White Clay State Park Office. With the up and down weather upon us, many of us are looking for a place to go or some activity to hold us over until we can wet a line again and this is the perfect thing. Fly tying materials are provided for those who do not yet have their own. Several flies are usually demonstrated, and club members are happy to show you how it’s done, as well as spin a few stories about the last huge one that got away. Club mailing address is P.O. Box 762, Landenberg, PA 19350 for more information. Parking for club is behind the White Clay State Park Office.
We are fortunate to have an environmentally active fly fishing club here in Southern Chester County. The White Clay Fly-Fishers also host quest speakers on fishing topics and provide educational classes for both fly tying and fishing. Meetings are held starting at 7 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, so the next meeting will be on February 19. Meetings are held at the London Tract Baptist Meetinghouse at the intersection of Sharpless and London Tract Roads, Landenberg, PA. 19350, which is next to the White Clay Park Office. The Club is always looking for new members. For more information check out the website at www.whiteclayflyfishers.org
W. Philadelphia/S. Montgomery Counties
With the cold winter weather, all boaters are reminded that the cold weather mandatory PFD wear period is still in effect and remains in effect until April 30, 2018.