Northwest Region
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2019 PA Fishing Licenses went on sale December 1st.
Butler County
Lake Arthur
With winter approaching, fishing for catfish is picking up. Chicken liver, shrimp or crawlers off the bottom work well. Anglers are catching nice size Yellow Perch at various locations. Traditionally, a good offering is a minnow or small twister-tail grub trailing behind a bobber.
Glade Run Lake
Trout are the only species that may be taken from this lake. All other fish species must be immediately released unharmed. Boats must be registered or permitted to use this PFBC property. Non-powered or electric-powered only. Boats dry-moored at the lake must have a valid Use Permit or registration. Moored boats must be removed by November 1st. The lake will be stocked with trout in November. The daily limit is three trout.
Harbar Acres Lake (SGL 95)
This lake will be stocked in October, water temperatures permitting. The daily limit is three trout.
The Glades
Don’t underestimate this lake for Channel Catfish. Nice sized catfish are fishable from shore from early evening to early morning using almost any kind of bait; hotdogs, shrimp, liver, crawlers and minnows. The best bass fishing is by small boat. This is also a good impoundment for crappie. Please keep the area clean. Make sure to take all your trash with you! Note: Boats accessing The Glades must be non-powered or electric motor only. Although no permits are required for non-powered boats, valid motor boat registration is required for boats using electric motors. Boats may not enter the waterfowl propagation area after August 31st. The propagation area is marked appropriately with yellow signs.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Hunters and anglers are reminded that they must have on board their watercraft, a wearable PFD for each person on board the watercraft. From November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020, PFD’s must be worn at all times while on board any canoe, kayak or boat less than 16 feet in length. Hunters using motorboats are reminded that and muskellunge fishing is productive in the Tionesta Pool and along the shoreline around Lighthouse Island.
Tionesta Outflow
Anglers are catching muskellunge and walleye from the wall and the rip rap on the campground side of the outflow. Anglers are reminded that they must have a trout/salmon permit to fish in the outflow, regardless of fishing for, or keeping trout. Boats are not permitted in the outflow area from the county bridge to the outflow structure.
Tionesta Lake
Anglers are catching musky by trolling along the shoreline.
Ross Run Children’s Area
Children 15 years of age and younger can enjoy some fall fishing opportunities on Ross Run.
Spring Creek
The Marienville Rod and Gun Club will stock Spring Creek in early October with adult trout. Anglers are reminded that the daily limit is three trout and they must have a trout/salmon permit to keep trout.
Northeast Region
Southern Wayne and Pike County
Low water conditions and unusually warm temperatures have slowed the fishing activity down in most lakes and smaller impoundments. However, section 6 of Bushkill was recently stocked and anglers are having good success catching trout.
Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Lake, Merli Sarnowski County Park Lake and the Roaring Brook all received stockings of Rainbow Trout on Friday October 4th. The trout were in fantastic condition. Anglers were catching fish on nearly every cast using live bait and a variety of different spinners. Don’t miss out on some fantastic trout fishing!
Northcentral Region
REMINDER – Anglers are reminded that fall is the time of year when Brook and Brown Trout spawn. When fishing, make sure you are mindful of where you step to avoid stepping on trout egg nests, also known as trout redds. The gravel in a trout redd will appear light in color/clean gravel. Most look like oval or round areas of clean gravel. Some are not much bigger than a frying pan size, others may be larger.
Tioga County
Hamilton Lake
The lake was recently drawn down for maintenance. Boats are unable to be launched from the ramp at this time.
Anglers are catching panfish using poppers. Evening hours seem to be the best time to fish at the moment. There are large schools of Bluegill hanging tight to the water surface and they are hungry! A few bass and pickerel are also hanging close to the surface.
Hills Creek Lake
Currently the lake is drawn down for boat ramp repairs. For more information check out Hills Creek State Park Facebook page.
Tioga, Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes
Although the fishing is challenging, anglers are catching a few bass and panfish.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Despite a few rain events the water level is still low and clear. The water temperature remains in the 60’s. The trout are easily spooked, so use stealth when approaching your favourite fishing area!
Small nymph patterns continue to be the “go-to” for most anglers. Nymphs that are working include the green weenie, Frenchie, and hares ear.
You may see trout rising in the late evening hours. Dry flies that are working include October Caddis, Elk hair caddis, midges and ISO spinners.
Centre County
Spring Creek
The water level is low and clear. The water temperature is in the 60’s.
Anglers are catching trout using dry flies and nymphs. Key into the pocket waters and areas with good rock/log structure.
Dry flies that are working include – tan caddis, midges, terrestrials.
Nymph patterns that are working include – green weenie; wet ant; hot spot sow bug.