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
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching some nice bluegill and yellow perch. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use this facility.
Piney Dam and the Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching walleye and yellow perch. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Mill Creek and Gravel Lick Access Area’s.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and a few northern pike from Emlenton to Parker. All anglers and boaters are reminded that all boats, including canoes and kayaks, are required to be registered to use the PFBC’s Parker City and Brady’s Bend Access Areas.
Erie County
Elk Creek
The acquisition of the Gilmore Farm property along Elk Creek by the Lake Erie Region Conservancy was finalized on December 5, 2019. This property acquisition allows anglers more public access to Elk Creek. Plans for the Gilmore Farm site include improved parking and trail access to the creek. Please use the below map as a reference to property boundaries. Please be courteous to neighboring landowners and remember all steelhead streams in Erie County are non-navigable waterways. If you have questions about public access to Steelhead streams, please visit this website for more information.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
The way the weather has been, ice anglers will be fishing soon. Anglers are catching panfish along the shorelines. The Shenango Reservoir has been designated as a panfish enhancement area. This means that crappie must be 9 inches in length with a creel limit of 20. All other panfish still has a 50-creel limit, but only 20 of the total can be crappie.
Area 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 was stocked in October with some really nice 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.
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. Remember SAFETY FIRST: https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx
Northern Luzerne Counties
Ice Fishing Season should soon be upon us. Trending temperatures indicate that we should be experiencing ice conditions for fishing soon if the temperatures continue to stay low. Many area lakes and ponds already have some ice across the entire surface or at least mostly covered but please use extreme caution when you decide to check out your favorite “Hardwater” fishing hole. We advise that you wear a PFD when on ice during the early and late parts of the season. Wear ice cleats and bring a friend with you. Other things to consider bringing with you are; a length of rope, ice staff, throwable flotation device, and a cell phone.
Very few anglers have been seen out lately. Hunting season and the cold weather probably account for this drop-in activity. The few anglers that have been on the water are experiencing very little in the way of a bite.
Wyoming County
The Susquehanna River remains very high, cold, and muddy due to recent rains. A few anglers braving the cold weather have had luck catching nice sized trout, crappie, and bluegill at Lake Winola on night crawlers. All other fishing pressure has been low due to cold and light icing on lakes and ponds.
Northcentral Region
REMINDER:
Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear begins on November 1, 2019 and runs through April 30, 2020. Learn more here
Ice fishing Is Just Around The Corner!
Check out PA Fish and Boat Commission’s Ice/Winter Fishing Page for Ice Safety tips, Ice Fishing tips and more! – https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx
Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour Counties
Anglers are catching walleye on the river.
With cold weather returning hopefully there will be good ice soon. Walker, Faylor, Halfway and Chillisquaque are good places to ice fish, once there is good ice. Pan fishing is historically good at each of these locations. Usually Halfway Lake ices over first. Be careful with Lake Chillisquaque, it gets a lot of sun.
REMINDER: Once there is ice on the lakes, be sure to check the thickness and safety before venturing out on the ice. Ice should be clear to be safe, once it thaws, aerates and refreezes it loses its integrity.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
The water temperature is in the low 40s. The water is up and has good color. Lot’s of post-spawn trout looking to feed. With the water temperatures dropping, trout are moving into the slower runs and pockets.
Anglers continue to catch trout using nymph patterns including flashback pheasant tail, Frenchie and large stonefly nymphs. Make sure your nymphs are getting to the stream bottom.
A few anglers are catching trout using streamer patterns that are black or olive.
Centre County
Spring Creek
The water temperature is in the 40s. Water conditions are good for fishing. Trout are moving toward the deeper pockets.
Anglers are catching trout using hot spot sow bugs, olive scuds, walt’s worm and bead head pheasant tails. Be sure to get the nymphs down close to the bottom of the stream.
Streamers are also working well. 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.
Northampton County
Anglers have reported catching Muskellunge in the Delaware River along Rte. 611 near the Easton/Forks township line. A good tip for anglers who may be targeting Musky and other sensitive fish species are reminded to play fish quickly. Another recommendation is to limit the time out of water for the fish to an absolute minimum. This will allow the fish to retain energy so they may quickly return to their activities without much disruption. Anglers are also fly fishing in the lower section of Bushkill Creek near the Blue Bridge along the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, and catching some wild Brown Trout.