Pictured above: Beautiful Spring Creek wild brown trout! (photo provided by angler)
Northwest Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
2019 PA Fishing Licenses went on sale December 1st.
Erie County
New Steelhead Access Area
The PFBC will be opening a new access area in time for Steelhead season in Erie County. Improvements are almost complete at the new access area located on Crooked Creek, Happy Valley Rd in Springfield Twp. Work will be completed this week and it will be open to anglers for the upcoming steelhead run. There is a gate on the west side of the stream, and we would like to remind anglers to please use the parking lot on the East side of the stream. Please do not block the gate. Foot traffic is welcome. Signage for the area will be up soon.
Erie County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching some Smallmouth Bass using tube jigs and live bait. Anglers are catching trout from the Tionesta Access Area.
Tionesta Lake
Boaters are reminded that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Slow No Wake Area is still in effect, as it extends from the point to the dam. Anglers are catching some nice Musky trolling at slower speeds. Now that the recreational boating activity is slowing down, anglers can troll more effectively.
Tionesta Outflow
Anglers are catching numerous Muskellunge, catfish, and Walleye using live bait and lures. Anglers and recreational boaters should be aware that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prohibits the use of motorboats within the Tionesta Outflow.
Spring Creek
The Marienville Rod and Gun Club will be stocking trout in Spring Creek near ANF Road 227, sometime in early October, depending upon stream temperature and water levels. Anglers are reminded that the daily limit is three trout per day, during the extended trout season.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
The boating season is in winding down. Anglers fishing for panfish has been very productive around the reservoir with catches of crappie in deeper water. The drawdown for the winter pool has started. The Shenango Reservoir has been designated as a panfish enhancement area. This means that crappie must be 9 inches and the creel limit has dropped from 50 to 20 crappie. All other panfish still has a 50-creel limit, but only 20 of that total can be crappie.
Trout Stocked Waters
The Shenango River from the New Hamburg bridge to the gas line crossing the river just North of the Big Bend Access area will be stocked in October. Get out and enjoy the foliage and bring your fishing poles. Volunteers are always needed to stock, so check our website for more information.
Warren County
Kinzua Tailwaters
Anglers are catching White Bass with just night crawlers at the tailwaters by the Kinzua Dam. The tailwaters off the Hemlock side is still the best place to catch Walleye.
Northeast Region
Fall Trout Stockings will begin October 1 and continue through mid-December. For more information and where and when the Fall & Winter stockings occur please visit: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission will be providing a Family Fishing Program at the Wilkes-Barre River Common on September 28th from 11am to 4pm. To pre-register and for more please visit: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/148844
With the cooler weather comes cooler water and the fishing in the region has begun to heat up over the past week. Area rivers and streams are still running low and could use a bit of rain to raise the levels to help both the fish and the anglers targeting them. Look for excellent fishing immediately after a rain event this time of year as the waters are rising but not yet muddied. Also, with lakes and ponds starting to cool down from their summer highs and this means you should find fish starting to stray from the deepest, coolest spots back into the shallows. Bass in both rivers and lakes will be starting to feed up before winter and the fall can be the best time to catch multiple large bass from the best fishing spots as they will be much more aggressive.
Northcentral Region
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The main boat launch at East Branch Dam is closed for the year.
Tioga County
Fishing are starting to move into their fall holding areas. With the move to fall/winter holding areas, bass fishing is challenging on most of the lakes. Afternoons and evenings are still the best times to be on the water. As the water temperatures continue to cool, the fall bite should heat back up!
Cowanesque Lake
Anglers are catching bass near the west end timber and along the north shoreline. Some of the off-hore habitat structures are holding bass, but the bite is spotty.
With cooler water temperatures, Musky are active. Anglers are catching several Musky 24-36 inches and a few that are 40+inches in length. Most of the Musky are near weed beds and fallen trees.
Anglers are catching Crappie near standing timber and fallen trees at the west end of the lake. A few anglers, targeting bass with crankbaits and spinnerbaits are catching large Crappie.
Striped Bass are taking crankbaits and spoons as well.
Hammond Lake
Anglers are catching bass and other panfish in the shallow, no wake areas and around the off-shore habitat structures. Buzzbaits and frogs are working well near the weed mats. Walking baits and whopper ploppers are working well in the open waters.
Largemouth Bass are feeding heavy on Gizzard Shad. Anglers, fishing offshore, are catching Largemouth Bass using crankbaits diving 15-16 feet. Shad imitations are working best; however, if you are not getting any hits, try a bright, chartreuse bait.
Anglers are catching Crappie offshore by trolling small crankbaits or fishing structure with live minnows.
Anglers are also catching Yellow Perch using worms and minnows.
Pine Creek
Water levels and temperature are good. Anglers are catching trout and Smallmouth bass, using spinners and spoons.
Fly anglers are catching trout in the Keystone Select waters, using nymphs and mop flies.
Tioga River Spillway
The Walleye bite is spotty; however, the Smallmouth bite is on fire! Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass, using twister tail grubs, stickbaits, swimbaits and various soft plastics.
A few anglers are having luck in the morning and evening, using topwater techniques as well.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water levels are still low and clear. The cooler evening and overnight temperatures are helping. Approach your favourite fishing waters with stealth and be prepared to make longer casts.
Anglers are having most of their luck in the early morning and late evening hours. Light weight nymphs are working well.
Dry flies that continue to work include – Elk hair caddis, midges and ISO spinners.
Make sure you have a few terrestrials in your fly box as well!
Centre County
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is low and clear with the water temperature holding in the 60s.
Anglers are catching fish in early morning and late evening hours. Fishing terrestrial patterns throughout the day, continue to tease trout to the surface and reward patient anglers.
Nymph patterns that are working include – green weenie (#10-18); wet ant (#12-18); hot spot sow bug (#14-16); iron lotus (#16-18).
Southeastern Region
Lancaster County
The Lititz Sportsman’s Association held a dedication ceremony on September 16, 2019 for the new pavilion and handicapped accessible fishing dock at the Commission’s Speedwell Forge Lake in Lancaster County. The pavilion, which will be useful for the Commission’s education staff and the sportsman’s club for meetings and educational programs, as well as the fishing dock, were built through the generous efforts of many local businesses and community groups, all of which was coordinated by the Lititz’s Sportsman’s Association. Many people and groups were involved to one degree or another in making this project a success, but nobody more so than Ken Hess, a longtime member of Lititz Sportsman’s Association. Ken worked tirelessly on this project, and did everything from soliciting donations, to coordinating with various agencies to obtain the necessary permits and approvals, to spending many hours helping with the hands-on construction work. Much to Ken’s surprise, the members of the association decided that they should dedicate this project in Ken’s honor, and even obtained a plaque to mount on the pavilion to recognize him for his hard work and dedication.
Berks County
As the nights get cooler and the water temperatures are falling from the summer highs, the fishing is heating up once again on the area lakes. Anglers are having good luck along the shorelines in the evening at Blue Marsh, catching some crappie, bass and catfish.
Anglers have been having some great trout fishing on the upper Tulpehocken Creek (from the vicinity of Marion Rod & Gun), downstream all the way to the confluence with Northkill Creek at Blue Marsh. Various methods from live bait to fly fishing with terrestrial patterns have been getting the job done. Just a reminder that during the extended season, the harvest limit is (3) trout.
Chester County
Fishermen are reporting good catches of large channel catfish at Struble Lake. Anglers reported using chicken livers and chunks of hot dogs fished on the bottom of the lake from the PFBC Boating Access shoreline at night. Fish up to 5 pounds and up to a fish or two an an hour have been reported. The best fishing seemed to be right after nightfall for the first two hours or so and then fishing did slow down but fish continued to be caught.
If you have been waiting for your big break into Bass Tournament Fishing, this may be it. Captain Jim is having a Bass Open Tournament at the Octoraro Reservoir on Sunday, September 22nd from 7:00 AM till 1:00 PM, (6 Hours). To get to the lake, simply get on Rt 1 in Southern Chester County and get off on the Rt 472 Exit. Turn West on Rt 472 West and you will go over the Rt 472 Bridge and at the top of the next hill you will turn left on to Spruce Grove Road. You will go about a mile and at the bottom of the hill you will see the lake and the Fishing Headquarters on your left. The physical address for the Fishing Headquarters is 212 Spruce Grove Road, Kirkwood, PA. 17536, For even more information call Captain Jim, phone 717-529-2488 or visit his website at http://www.jimsbait.net/tournaments Only fishing from boats is permitted, limit of two persons per boat.
Northampton County
Introduction to Fly Fishing Course Announced:
Fly fishing can be a fun way to fish for the first time or it can present a new experience for seasoned anglers. Anyone ages 12 years and older with an interest in learning the basics of fly fishing equipment, knot tying, casting techniques, and on the water skills is welcome. It is the perfect opportunity to learn fly fishing basics and meet other fly anglers. All equipment is provided. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Forks of the Delaware Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center are providing this FREE introduction to fly fishing program in partnership with the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Classroom instruction will start at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064. On water skills and fishing will be provided at a nearby pond on Bushkill Township “Preserved Open Space” located on Kromer Rd. approximately 3 miles from the center. Participants must provide their own transportation to the fishing site. Registration required at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/
NOTE: The fishing license requirement is waived during the program for participants age 16 and older.
Participants should dress for outdoor weather. Bring your own lunch and snacks. The program will be held rain or shine.
Basic Boating Course Announced:
The PA Fish & Boat Commission will be holding a Basic Boating Course at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 9AM – 5PM. Jacobsburg EE Center is located at 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth, PA 18064. The course is free. Registration is required. Please bring your own lunch. Registration is handled via the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center online calendar at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/
Boating courses are fun for the entire family and are offered at many locations throughout the state and in your own home. People who successfully complete a Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission approved boating course are issued a Boating Safety Education Certificate good for a lifetime. There is a $10 fee to process the certificate.
Boating Safety Education Certificates are required:
- To operate a personal watercraft
- For persons born on or after January 1, 1982, to operate boats powered by motors greater than 25 horsepower.
For questions about the course, contact Andrew Desko at 215-968-3631 or adesko@pa.gov
Can we get a report for the Delaware River?