Northwest Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
2020 Fishing License go on sale December 1st – Click here to purchase
REMINDER:
Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2019 and runs through April 30, 2020 for anyone on boats less than 16 feet and in all canoes and kayaks. Learn more here
Erie County
Lake Erie
The docks are out at Northeast Marina and Shades Beach. Anglers are catching Lake Trout using spoons. Lake Erie is currently in the upper 30s for water temperature.
Presque Isle Bay
Anglers are catching some panfish along the Presque Isle Bay shoreline.
Steelhead Tributaries
Steelhead fishing is still good in all the Lake Erie Tributaries. The streams are running high and have a stained color to them.
Steelhead Tributaries Public Access vs. Private Property
Each year, Steelhead anglers are finding more and more posted waters throughout the Steelhead Tributaries. All Steelhead tributaries are deemed as “non navigable” waterways. Did you know a property owner that owns both sides of the stream can and will post their section of the stream! If you have questions about public access to Steelhead streams, please check out this website for more information.
Forest County
Allegheny River
Walleye fishing has been productive on the Tionesta pool of the Allegheny River. Anglers are catching Walleye and Northern Pike from boats and along the shore near the boat ramp and at the point of the island.
Tionesta Lake
Musky fishing is generally productive throughout the fall and will continue until the lake freezes. Trolling along the shoreline seems to be the most productive method. Anglers are having success fishing for Yellow Perch, Bluegill and crappie from the Nebraska Bridge. Anglers fishing from Nebraska Bridge should be cautious of passing vehicles.
Tionesta Outflow
Musky, Walleye, and Northern Pike fishing is productive near the wall and the campground side. Downstream of the wall there is a fishing trail that provides access to the creek. Anglers are reminded that they must have a trout/salmon permit to fish in Tionesta Creek, from the outflow to the confluence with the Allegheny River. The permit is always required regardless of fishing for or keeping trout.
Northeastern Region
2020 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses are now on sale! Buy fishing licenses and gift vouchers at more than 650 agents across the state or online at: GoneFishingPa.com
The Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear is now in effect and runs from November 1st through April 30th. You must wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length and any canoe or kayak.
Columbia & Southern Luzerne Counties
With the traditional PA deer season in full swing, combined with the foul weather the past week, little fishing or boating activity has taken place across the district. This should change as deer season ends and weather patterns begin to again stabilize. When that happens expect the fishing to be hot.
Susquehanna River
The few anglers that were out reported walleye and Smallmouth Bass success on the Susquehanna River. Soft plastics on a lead head jig seem to be the ticket.
Francis E. Walter Reservoir
Francis E. Walter Reservoir is at winter draw down depth, so panfish are schooled up and easier to locate.
Lily Lake, Lake Irena and Briar Creek Lake
Lily Lake, Lake Irena and Briar Creek Lake have all received fall stockings. So, there are plenty of trout in those waterways.
Now is the time to begin prepping that ice fishing gear. It appears we may have hard water before we know it.
Northcentral Region
REMINDER:
Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear begins on November 1, 2019 and runs through April 30, 2020. Learn more here
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water temperature is in the 40s. The water level is up and off color from recent rain events.
Anglers are catching trout using nymph patterns including flashback pheasant tail, Frenchie and large stonefly nymphs. Egg patterns are still working as well.
A few anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns that are black or olive.
Centre County
Spring Creek
The water temperature is holding in the 40s. The water is up and has some color to it too.
Anglers are catching trout using sow bugs, scuds, walt’s worm and bead head pheasant tails. Peach egg patterns are also still working. Be sure to get the nymphs down close to the bottom of the stream.
Anglers are also catching trout using streamer patterns. Streamer colors that are working include olive or black patterns.
Southeastern Region
The 2020 PA Fishing Licenses are now available for purchase! Pick yours up today online in our Outdoor Shop or in-person at our fishing license agents or PFBC region offices.
Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket wear regulations are in effect now through April 30 for all vessels less than 16 feet or any canoe/kayak.
Berks County
Blue Marsh Lake
The Corps of Engineers will be conducting a Trees for The Fishes habitat improvement project between December 26, 2019 and January 12, 2020. You can recycle your Christmas tree by dropping it off at the PFBC Sheidy Access Area or the COE State Hill Boat Launch and the trees will be used to create habitat improvement for fish and other wildlife. Trees dropped off for this project must be free of all decorations (including tinsel, fake snow, etc.), any colored paint, or any other chemical treatments. For more information, contact Ranger Jonah Eckert or Ranger Brianna Treichler at 610-376-6337.
Delaware County
The Delaware River has been producing Striped Bass. I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it for myself, but there seems to be a small run of Striped Bass this fall in the river. There has been spotty success when trolling the river and some decent success from the shore. Traditionally, the stripers are only known to run up the river in the spring to spawn. It is also no surprise that these same fish come into the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay to feed in the fall. So, maybe these fish have decided to continue upriver to feed? No matter the reason “why?”, it has provided some additional angling opportunities in Delaware County.
Some anglers are still showing up in Ridley Creek to do some trout fishing. The fly-fishing area still has decent numbers in the traditional “holes” and some of those fish have even worked their way downstream and out of the special reg area. Bass anglers are also having decent success in Darby Creek. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are still loading up on food for the winter and boat anglers are having the most success. Don’t forget that the Darby Draw Bridge is closed until next spring.
Northampton County
Although many anglers have hung up their gear for the year, there are still opportunities throughout the county. The Bushkill Creek through Easton continues to offer a great winter fishery with easy access. The Monocacy and Saucon Creek both have resident Brown Trout populations with easy fishing access as well. Anglers wanting to use a small watercraft on our local water bodies are reminded to read up on the dangers of cold-water immersion. Lastly, as ice may start to form on different water bodies, ice safety and proper monitoring should be reviewed.