Northwest Region
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Erie County
Lake Erie
Walleye fishing is still hot on Lake Erie. Almost any lure seems to be working at almost any depth. Anglers are catching Lake Trout in deeper water. Anglers are catching a few Yellow Perch on the eastern part of Lake Erie, but it is still slow and should pick up as we move towards late September.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass and Walleye primarily on spinners, live bait, and lures.
Oil Creek
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass throughout the entire stretch of the waterway.
French Creek
All boaters are reminded to scout ahead and keep an eye out for any possible obstacles or strainers. Anglers are catching Walleye and Smallmouth Bass throughout the Venango county stretch.
Extended Trout Season Regulations
The extended trout season began on 09/03. The daily creel limits were lowered to three on stocked trout waters and no harvest on all wild trout waters (within the designated section limits). An overview of PA’s trout water classifications, including wild trout waters, can be found here.
Fall Trout Stocking
On Wednesday October 2, 2019, the Lower Delayed Harvest/Keystone Select waters of Oil Creek will receive it annual fall stocking. The meeting location is set for the Rynd Farm Train Station and the meeting time will be 9:30AM.
Northeast Region
Southern Columbia & Southern Luzerne Counties
Water levels have returned to normal across the area. Fishing and boating activity has picked up on the Susquehanna River. The best fishing has typically been morning and evenings due to high water temperatures. The mouths of feeder creeks have also produced some good fishing, but to a lesser extent.
The panfish bite has really started to heat up on the local impoundments such as Frances E Walter Reservoir, the Ice Lakes and smaller ponds. The USACE has begun the annual drawdown of the Reservoir and fish are starting to school up. Find the fish and you will find success. One pair of local anglers had success with crappies on small marabou jigs and fathead minnows.
Also, with the drawdown of FEW Reservoir, anglers should have little to no problems fishing the Lehigh River, as the whitewater releases are pretty well finished for the year. Early morning and evenings seem to be the key times.
Briar Creek Lake, Lily Lake and Lake Irena are all scheduled to receive fall trout stockings in October. Check the Commission’s Trout Stocking page for more details.
Summer is beginning to wind down and boaters are reminded that beginning November 1 and lasting through April 30, they are required to wear a life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any canoe or kayak.
Pike & Wayne Counties
The striped bass fishing at Lake Wallenpaupack has been fantastic all year. Anglers have been landing fish on both the Pike and Wayne County sides from Briar Hill to Mangan Cove. Most successful anglers have been using live bait suspended 8 to 15 feet below the surface. There will continue to be good fishing throughout the month as the temperatures get cooler.
Western Bradford & Sullivan Counties
Anglers have been fishing the small ponds of Sullivan County and have reported an increase in catch rates. Top water action is producing consistently.
Boaters looking to hit the North Branch Susquehanna River are reminded to monitor water levels as they are currently very low.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Pine Creek
Temperatures are decreasing on Pine Creek. The temperature is in the mid to upper 60’s. Trout are venturing away from cold tributaries and out into most of the main stem. Anglers are catching trout using a variety of flies, live baits and spinners. Fly patterns that are currently working include terrestrial and streamer patterns. Live bait that is working include waxworms, redworms and mealworms. Various spinners that are working include black, brown and white roostertails.
Anglers are also catching Smallmouth Bass, using small rapalas, rebel craws and clouser minnows or crayfish imitations. Poppers are working well in the evenings or on overcast days.
Hills Creek Lake
Bass fishing is slow. Anglers are catching most bass, using topwater techniques in the evening or casting Texas rigs and jigs into the weed mats and lily pads during the day. Junebug, motoroil, green pumpkin and brown colored plastics are working best.
Anglers are catching panfish using minnows, mealworms, redworms and various jigs. Fish near weed edges, holes in the weeds and near the dam.
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching trout near the dock. Redworms and powerbait are the baits of choice.
Anglers are catching bass in the shallows, near the dock and along the dam. Texas and wacky rigged senkos, Berkley power worms and various crankbaits are working well.
Anglers are catching Bluegill and Crappie in the deeper end of the lake. Bluegill are holding in the shallow areas and Crappie are holding in the deeper, middle portion of the lake. Minnows are working best for Crappie.
Beechwood Lake
Anglers are catching Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass using Texas rigged plastics, jigs and drop shot presentations. Brown, green pumpkin, baby bass and similar shades of green are working well.
Anglers are also catching Crappie, using slider grubs, beetle spins and other bladed jigs in chartreuse or bring green. Cast near trees or troll near the drop-offs.
Cowanesque Lake
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass and Crappie, using Berkley flicker shad in 10-15 feet of water. Chartreuse, firetiger, pink and shad patterns are working well. Anglers are also catching bass using texas rigged plastics, dropshot presentations, ned rigs and crankbaits. Black/blue, junebug, blue craw, green pumpkin and green pumpkin goby patterns are all good colors to try.
Striped Bass fishing is slowing down; however, a few anglers are still catching them, using spoons, jerkbaits and crankbaits around the dam. Look for drop-offs and areas with access to deeper water.
A few anglers are catching musky. Most of the anglers catching musky are targeting bass or crappie. Downsize your baits for best success. Shad, perch and sucker patterns are working well.
Hammond Lake
Bass fishing is currently slow. Anglers are catching bass in shallow water, near weeds. Buzzbaits, frogs and various jigs or texas rigged plastics are working well. Offshore, anglers are catching fish, using dropshots, ned rigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits. Look for structure or areas of hard bottom, offshore. Green pumpkin, baby bass, blue craw, June bug, okechobee craw and similar colors are working well. Plastics with a hint of chartreuse are working too. Try a “Spike-It” marker to add color to your plastics.
Tioga Lake
Anglers are catching Crappie near fallen trees in deep water and in the connecting channel. Live minnows are working best. Anglers are also catching Yellow Perch, using minnows and nightcrawlers.
Bass fishing is slow. Anglers are catching bass in the channel and along the Route 15 shoreline. A few anglers are also catching some hybrid striped bass near the dam and connecting channel.
Clinton County
Water levels continue to be low. Boaters are advised to scout waterways prior to setting out on a float trip. If you head out on a float trip, plan for longer float times due to areas of the waterway in which you may have to walk.
Anglers are catching trout in most of the streams across the County.
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are catching bass and pickerel, using a variety of techniques.
Fishing Creek
Despite recent rain events the stream is still low and clear. The water temperature is holding in the 60s. Be sure to use stealth when approaching your favourite fishing area. The trout are easily spooked, this time of year.
Early morning and late evening hours are the best times to be on the water. If you are looking for rising fish, try early to late evening hours.
Nymph patterns that are working include – beadhead green weenies (#12-16. The usual Frenchie (#14-18), flashback pheasant tail nymph (#14-18) and hares ear(#12-16) will work as well.
Dry flies that are working include – Elk hair caddis (#8-12), midges (#20-26) and ISO emerger (#8-12). Try using a dry dropper rig to key into trout eating both below surface and above!
West Branch Susquehanna River
Despite low water levels, anglers are catching musky. Although slow, anglers are also catching bass, using small poppers, crayfish imitations and streamers. Target structure and shallow areas with grass. Best times to be on the water are late morning and later afternoon.
Centre County
Spring Creek
Recent rain events has spring up with a little color, but it is clearing. Water temperatures are holding in the 60s.
Early morning and late evening hours continue to be the best time to be on the water.
Anglers continue to catch trout using, ants, green weenies and caddis.
Suggested dry fly patterns include – elk hair caddis tan (#14-18); midges (#22-26); Bluewing Olives (#18-22).
Nymph patterns that are working include – green weenie (#10-18); wet ant (#12-18); hot spot sow bug (#14-16); iron lotus (#16-18).
During or just after rain events, try an olive or black streamer pattern near the stream banks (#6-10).
Southeastern Region
Chester County
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 15th from 6:15 AM till 12:15 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.
If you live in Chester County and would like to get involved with a club that supports activities such as the Chester County Envirothon, The Special Needs Fishing Rodeo, Invasive Plant Removal, Trail Maintenance, as well as the preservation of Chester County’s History, then you might want to consider The Friends of Hibernia. The Friends of Hibernia is a group which assists the Chester County Parks and Recreation Department to carry out its objectives for Hibernia County Park, including the encouragement of the restoration and preservation of the Hibernia Mansion, general improvement of the park facilities, and the advancement of educational and recreational benefits to the citizens of Chester County. Membership information can be obtained by mail to Friends of Hibernia, Post Office Box 355, Wagontown, PA. 19376. Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at Hibernia County Park, 610-383-3812. The next meeting will be held on September 26th.
The Next meeting of the White Clay Fly-Tying Club will be at 6PM on Thursday September 5th 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 cold weather that has been hanging on, 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.
If you live in the Southern Chester County area and are interested in fly fishing, consider joining the White Clay Fly Fishers. Meetings are held at 7 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the London Tract Meetinghouse 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. This means that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday September 17th. Parking for meetings is behind the White Clay State Park Office. The club’s mailing address is P.O. Box 762, Landenberg, PA 19350 for membership information. The club teaches fly tying, fly fishing, holds fishing trips, outings, picnics, does stream clean ups, has a library of over 100 fly fishing books and dvds that you can borrow and gives presentations on fly fishing by special guests at the end of the monthly meetings.
Philadelphia County
Come out and join us for the Philly Fun Fishing Day which will be held on September 7, 2019 on the Schuylkill River Banks Trail in Philadelphia. The pier is located at 2436 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Upcoming Fall Stocking
Pleased be advised at the stocking DATE CANGE. The new date is October 2, 2019 at Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia. If interested in assisting with the Pennypack Stocking please meet at 8600 Pine Rd (Parking Lot) at 1:00 pm. Please come out and enjoy fishing this fall.
Northampton County
Anglers have been catching Smallmouth Bass on the Delaware River in the area immediately North of Driftstone Campground. Please keep in mind that the Delaware River has its own seasons, sizes, and creel limits as set forth in the yearly digest and may not always be the same as ‘Inland Waters’. Anglers are also still catching trout (both Rainbow and Wild Browns) in the area of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail through Easton as well as in the area of Stocker Mill Rd in Forks Township. As summer temperatures slowly give way to cooler fall temperatures, it’s a great time to get outside and take advantage of the bass and trout fishing opportunities.
Schuylkill County
Tuscarora Lake
Tuscarora Lake has been fishing tough for the past few weeks, but a few bass are being caught during early morning hours and near dark in the evenings. Plastic worms and Topwater baits have done alright for Largemouth. Live bait has been catching panfish. Crappies, perch, and bluegills are all biting well recently.
Little Schuylkill River
Little Schuylkill River continues to hold trout in most of the deeper pools. Very little pressure has been seen but fish are biting if you can avoid scaring them when you approach. Clear water has them a bit finicky so live bait or small flies will work well.