Pictured above: Nathan W. with a nice steelhead from this week.
Northwest Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
2020 Fishing Licenses are now available for purchase – 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
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
Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
Shoreline anglers are catching Yellow Perch at the south pier, Border Patrol Building, and Perry’s Landing.
Area Steelhead Tributaries
Steelhead are still in the creeks and in some places in good numbers.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Muskellunge throughout the entire Venango county section.
French Creek
Anglers are catching Walleye and Northern Pike by using live bait was the top reported producer.
Oil Creek
Water conditions remained largely fishable through the end of 2019, and anglers (primarily fly enthusiasts) continued in their attempts throughout the Lower DHALO/Keystone Select section.
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, crappie, and Bluegill while conditions allow.
Northeastern Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
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
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
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
Carbon County
Anglers took advantage of the spring-like weather during the past weekend and were catching and releasing trout below the outlet of Beltzville Lake. Anglers are reminded that the section of the Pohopoco Creek from the outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream to the cable across the creek at the Hideaway Hunting & Fishing Club is designated as a Class A Wild Trout Stream and Stocked Trout Water. The Extended Trout Season on this section of stream from September 3, 2019 through February 29, 2020 is No Harvest – Catch and Immediate Release Only.
Trout action on Mauch Chunk Creek, and the Lehigh River at Glen Onoko area has been productive in recent weeks. The Lehigh River has been flowing higher than normal due to recent rain events. Buckwa Creek and Aquashicola Creek are streams that may provide good trout fishing opportunities this winter. Sand Spring Run located at Hickory Run State Park is also a good choice to catch brook trout. Anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake near Boat Launch A had some nice catches of perch and bluegills. Beltzville Lake had produced decent bass action near the dam breast, and in the upper reaches of the Pohopoco Creek bay area of the lake. Anglers were catching striped bass from the shore near the boat rental building. Most of the striped bass were caught using live bait or chicken livers. Anglers are reminded to have their 2020 PA Fishing License (Age 16 years of age or older) and a Trout/Salmon permit (if required) before venturing to the water.
Most of the ice that formed on Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake has now deteriorated due to the recent rains and warmer weather. Future ice fishing opportunities will hopefully occur before the spring season, if colder weather arrives.
Boaters are reminded that the regulatory buoys such as Slow No Wake, Water Ski Zone have been removed from Beltzville Lake for the winter season. Although the buoys have been removed, the regulations pertaining to the regulatory zones are still in effect and enforced. Maps of Beltzville Lake are posted at each boat ramp indicating the regulatory zones.
Lackawanna County
Above normal temperatures have put a dash to the hopes of anyone thinking of ice fishing in Lackawanna County. As of Saturday, January 11th, there is no safe ice in the county.
Monroe County
Unseasonably warm temperatures and recent rain events have degraded the ice in the Northern part of the county and conditions are unsafe for ice fishing.
The Princess Creek and portions of Buckwa Creek have provided good trout fishing opportunities so far this winter.
Pike County
The Pike County side of Lake Wallenpaupack is almost completely free of ice. Warm temperatures and winds have taken away most of the ice. Small areas in Millbrook Cove, Pine Crest and around Lighthouse have minimal ice as of January 11th.
Wayne County
Warmer than normal temperatures along with heavy winds have taken away nearly all the ice which existed along the Wayne County side of Lake Wallenpaupack. The Mangan Cove access area is mostly open. A very small area near the handicap access dock has minimal ice as of Saturday, January 11th. Several anglers tried their hand at open water fishing in Mangan Cove, but the strong winds prevented them from having any kind of good experience on Saturday. Just 10 days ago, anglers were ice fishing in Ledgedale. Ledgedale is now free of ice.
Northcentral Region
REMINDER:
Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket wear began on November 1, 2019 and ends on April 30, 2020 for all canoes, kayaks and boats under 16 feet in length. Learn more here
Ice fishing safety and more!
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
Western Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Musky using a variety of techniques. Focus on areas near structure, points of islands and/or areas where there is a drop-off from shallow to deep waters.
Clinton County
Anglers are catching trout on most of the streams across the County. Streamers, nymphs and live minnows seem to be working on most streams.
With warm temperatures, most lakes are free of ice.
Fishing Creek
The water temperature is in high 30’s to 40’s. The water is perfect for some fishing! With the water temperatures dropping, trout are in the slower runs and pockets.
Anglers are catching trout using nymph patterns including hares ear, 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 holding in the 40s. Water conditions are great for fishing. Trout are moving toward the deeper pockets.
Anglers are catching trout using hot spot sow bugs, olive scuds, walt’s worm and pheasant tail nymphs. 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
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
2020 Fishing Licenses are now available for purchase – 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
Enjoy this break in the weather to get out fishing or paddling before the wintry mix and cooler temps hit this coming weekend. Stocked trout streams are open to fishing until the statewide closure on March 1 with an Extended Season Creel Limit of 3.
Look for the 2020 trout stocking schedule around the first week of February.
We will have a booth at the Philly Fishing Show at the Oaks Expo Center this coming February 21-23. Stop by the booth to ask a question and peruse our selection of free informational publications.
Chester County
The L.L. Bean Store in the King of Prussia Mall is hosting a “Park Cleanup” at Marsh Creek Lake on Sunday, January 26 from 12PM to 2PM. Join other civic minded individuals in cleaning up one of our local treasures here in Chester County. All you need to bring is yourself and your enthusiasm, volunteers will explain the process and direct you. Make sure that you also bring a snack and water and protective clothing depending on the weather. For more information you can visit the website at http://www.llbean.com/llb/ods/33?nav=bc&STORE_CITY_STATE=[25]&EVENT_TYPE=[0]&EVENT_LEVEL=[0]&PRICE_RANGE=[0]
If you are a woman looking to join a Fly-Fishing Club for women, there is the Delaware Valley Woman’s Fly-Fishing Association. The group which has membership in the entire Mid-Atlantic Region includes a newsletter, “The Woman’s Angle”, trips, outings, and social events for women. They also host a Women and Girl’s Fly-Fishing Day each year. For more information or to join you can go to the website at www.dvwffa.org/
The White Clay Fly Fishers will hold a fly swap on Tuesday, January 21 at the London Tract Meeting House at 7 PM during the regular meeting at the London Tract Meeting House. The Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Sharpless and Meetinghouse Road. To exchange flies, you will need to tie about a dozen of your favorite flies which you can then exchange one for one with a dozen others. You should bring an extra fly or two to donate to the banquet raffle for the club.
The White Clay Fly-Fishers is offering Fly-Fishing Classes. The classes are on six Tuesdays starting on February 25 and ending on April 7 from 6:30 to 8:30PM at the London Tract Meeting House at the intersection of London Tract and Sharpless Roads. For information or to sign up you can call Joe at 302-547-6612 or email whiteclayflyfisahers@yahoo.com. A valid 2020 fishing license and Trout Stamp is required. For more information you can go to http://www.whiteclayflyfishers.org/
The Brandywine Trout and Conservation Club is always looking for dedicated sportsmen. The club was founded in 1955 by a group of concerned fishermen who wanted to see that trout fishing opportunities would be enhanced and to raise trout for stocking. Each year members raise money and raise trout to be able to stock trout at least twice for the next trout season. If you are interested in joining or for more information you can go to the club’s website at http://brandywinetrout.net/home.html or email at BrandywineTrout@Comcast.net or by regular mail at P.O. Box 32, Downingtown, PA. 19335.