Pennsylvania Fishing Report – April 30, 2020

Northwest Region

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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

NOTE ON EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON 2020 TROUT STOCKING AND MORE Trout stocking will be conducted on an accelerated schedule. To ensure public safety, volunteers will NOT be permitted to assist with stocking activities.

To complete trout stocking operations without the assistance of the public, the PFBC will modify stocking methods for this year. For further information on this and other effects on PFBC activities and operations please click here.

Stocked Trout Waters

All PFBC trout stockings will be finished across PA by Sunday May 3rd.

Erie County

Elk Creek

Anglers are catching smallmouth bass out of Elk Creek

Lake Erie

Anglers are catching yellow perch off Walnut Creek and off the old Hammermill stacks.

Presque Isle Bay

Anglers are catching smallmouth bass in Presque Isle Bay using drop shot baits, small swimbaits, tubes, and jerkbaits. PLEASE practice social distancing while fishing from shore and on boats.

Northeastern Region

For information concerning Covid 19 & the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission operations please visit: https://www.fishandboat.com/Pages/covid-19.aspx

Trout Season is here!  For more information please visit: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/fish-and-Boat-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=316

CNorthern Luzerne County

All Stocked Trout Waters in the district have the entirety of their trout allocations for the Spring of 2020 already.  Moon Lake has been giving up a few trout from shore but most trout here are being taken out in about 10-12 feet of water away from shore by boat.  Harveys Creek is fishing very well.  Levels are good and the creek has been maintaining a little color lately from sporadic rains.  There has not much activity on the Susquehanna River with most river anglers waiting for the Catfish bite to heat up.  This should happen along with the weather and water heating up over the coming weeks.  Walleye that have been caught have mostly been on the small side.

Columbia & Southern Luzerne Counties

All Stocked Trout Waters in the district have their full allocations of trout this spring due to the accelerated stocking program this year.  All Stocked Trout Waters having their full allocations means there is no shortage of opportunities for trout anglers.

Trout are being caught across the district on everything from grocery store baits, such as bread and cheese, to power baits, spinners and lures, to the most intricately of tied flies.  Whatever your preferred method, the trout seem to be eager to take pretty much any offerings presented to them.

The crappie bite is beginning to improve across the district on the impoundments, as well as the smallmouth and walleye activity on the Susquehanna River.

With the state in a virtual shutdown due to COVID-19, the one thing we can still look to for enjoyment is our time outdoors.

Anglers are reminded, however, that even with the modified to the trout stocking program this year, all PFBC Rules and Regulations are still in effect.  WCO’s are still out and will continue to protect The Commonwealth’s aquatic resources from overharvest, abuse and waste.

Remember, wash your hands, wear your mask and maintain social distancing.  But above all, get out and enjoy the bounty of natural resources Pennsylvania has to offer.

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

Tioga County

Hills Creek Lake

Anglers are reporting some success fishing for spawning panfish however, water temperatures are still fairly cold for prime activity. The action should heat up in the coming weeks and more fish will be found closer to the shoreline.

Pine Creek

Anglers are having success fishing the Keystone Select section through the canyon. Streamers are currently working well right now. Please remember, the Keystone Select Stocked Trout waters fall under the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only special regulation.

Clinton County

Fishing Creek

The creek is currently flowing at above-average levels and continues to have some color. More rain forecasted this week will likely keep the creek under these conditions. The water temperature is currently in the low 50’s. Grannoms, hendricksons and blue-winged olives continue to hatch however, subsurface techniques are working the best right now. Stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae imitations are working well right now. The above-average flows are favorable for streamer fishing. Anglers are reporting success using sculpin imitations.

Centre County

Spring Creek

Anglers are reporting some sulphurs hatching along with grannoms and blue-winged olives. Some anglers are reporting success on the surface however, nymphing continues to be the preferred method. The water temperature is currently in the low 50’s. Baetis nymphs and sucker spawn imitations are hot patterns to use right now.

Southeastern Region

Chester County

Chester County Parks And Open Space, has announced that it will begin to reopen its parks in two stages. Black Rock Sanctuary, Wolf’s Hollow and Exton Parks will all reopen on Wednesday, May 6. Hibernia County Park, Nottingham, & Warwick Parks and Springton Manor Farm will reopen on Tuesday, May 12. Facilities within all the open parks will remain and be closed. If you will need a restroom take care of it before you leave home, the playgrounds and pavilions will be closed. County Park trails are and will remain open. The Covid-19 guidelines are to bring and wear your mask. Enjoy your park activities with members of your family only. Don’t litter and don’t throw things away at the park, take your garbage home with you to throw away. If you are not feeling well, do no go to the park. Bring hand sanitizer with you and remember social distancing, that is to stay at least 6 feet away from others in the park. Camping will remain closed for now and I will update you when that changes. For more information or to verify that nothing has changed before you go, you can get more information at the website, https://www.chesco.org/178/Parks

As per Governor Wolf’s latest guidelines, golf courses, marinas and guided fishing trips and privately-owned campgrounds are set to reopen May 1. State owned campgrounds are closed until May 14. Since this is a constantly changing situation, make sure that you check with your local authorities to confirm the information.

In case you have not heard, there many trout available in all the trout streams in Chester County. Every angler checked by the District WCO has trout, and there are many of them in almost every hole. Grab a spinner, make sure to have a license and take advantage of this opportunity. Anglers have been saying that this is the best season that they have ever had despite the Covid-19 issues. Remember to practice social distancing and wear a mask. Good luck.