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
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.
Butler County
Glade Run Lake
Trout are the only species that may be taken once the season opens. Statewide Trout Season opened at 8am on April 7th. Other fish species, if caught, must be immediately released unharmed. Boats must be registered or permitted to use this PFBC property. Non-powered or electric-powered only. Dry mooring of boats at the lake is permitted from March 1st to November 1st each year. Dry moored boats must display a valid Launch Permit or Registration.
Lake Arthur
Crappie have not yet begun to spawn. Anglers should target deeper waters off rocky shoals with a bright-colored jig.
The Glades (SGL 95)
Anglers are catching bass and panfish from shore.
Venango County
Trout Stocked Waters
Statewide trout season opened on April 7, 2020, at 8:00 AM. All stocked trout waters are included. A PA fishing license and trout stamp are required for all anglers 16 years of age and older. The daily creel limit remains at five and the minimum size remains at seven inches.
In an effort to mitigate improper social distancing, we have attempted to pull the majority of trout stocking points, along Venango County streams, away from individual residences and the immediate area of living and/or livestock quarters.
Therefore, focus greater attention along the county’s wooded sections, particularly through government holdings (IE: PFBC property, State Game Lands, State Parks).
Local examples include:
- Little Sugar Creek, along SGL 96
- East Branch Sugar Creek, along SGL 96
- East Sandy Creek, along the bike trail & adjacent SGL 45
- Oil Creek, along the OC&T bike trail and through Oil Creek State Park
- Sandy Creek, along both SGL 39 & SGL 130
As of this writing, 95% of Venango County stocked trout waters have received their pre-season stockings and 85% have received their in-season stockings too. You will see posted PFBC signage along stream sections where recreational public walk-in-fishing is permitted. Please, in the interest of the sport and those who come after you, please don’t make access to any ground unless you are certain that public fishing is permitted.
Please report witnessed Northwest Region violations [Erie, Crawford, Warren, Forest, Venango, Mercer, Clarion, Butler, and Lawrence County] to the Northwest BLE Regional Office at (814) 337-0444 or advise your local officer(s).
AN ANGLER’S CODE OF ETHICS:
As the 2020 trout season opens…
Ethical anglers DO NOT litter; additionally, they do not camp, build fires, cut trees, block gates, roadways, or driveways, nor do they operate any motorized vehicle (ATV’s included) on property of another without advanced permission of the landowner.
These unlawful actions will, and do, get ground POSTED!
Warren County
Chapman Dam Reservoir
Once the lake is complete with the rest of the repairs, the reservoir will be stocked. There will also be new regulations for Chapman Dam Reservoir under Miscellaneous Waters with Special Regulations. All species, except trout, are catch and release/no harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish, except trout. All fish caught other than trout must be immediately returned unharmed. For trout, inland regulations apply. This regulation will remain in effect until further notice.
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
Carbon County
Trout Stocked waters are continuing to be stocked in the district even as Trout Season has officially started. For anglers should still take the opportunity of trout fishing the Special Regulation Areas. The Lehigh River (0.33 miles upriver from the railroad bridge at Glenn Onoko and downriver to Mauch Chunk Creek) is a Stocked Trout Water Open to Year-Round Fishing.
Mud Run (2.5 miles) is designated as a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures area that is located within the Hickory Run State Park. Anglers are also reminded that no trout may be taken or possessed except during period from June 15 through Labor Day.
A section of the Hickory Run Creek Artificial Lures Only Area (3.12 miles; from the Outlet of Saylorsville Dam downstream to the mouth) is also located in the Hickory Run State Park Complex and also provides year-round trout fishing opportunities.
Anglers should consult the 2020 PA Fishing Summary booklet for further information on Special Regulations Areas as other fishing restrictions and creel limits apply.
Anglers fishing the upper reaches of the Pohopoco Creek Bay at Beltzville Lake have reported doing well catching striped bass in recent weeks both from the shore and boat.
Boaters are reminded that they are still required by law, to wear a USCG Approved Life Jacket on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak until April 30th.
Although the buoys have not been placed in Beltzville Lake as of this time, boaters are still required to obey all of the regulations regarding the Slow No Wake, Water Ski Zone. Signs are posted designating the Slow No Wake areas including a map of the lake being posted at the boat launches indicating the special regulation areas. Regulations pertaining to the special regulation areas are strictly enforced.
Southern Pike & Wayne Counties
With so many people furloughed because of COVID-19, fishing activity has picked up in the district. Please continue to follow appropriate social distancing as recommended by the Governors office and fish waters local to you!
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
Amid the uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the PFBC WCOs are working with help from other agency staff to stock all of the regular trout waters as quickly as possible. Assistance from the public is not permitted during this time to help keep the public and our employees healthy.
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 catching a variety of panfish using multiple techniques. The warming water temperatures have a lot of fish starting to spawn. Live bait as well as, artificial lures are working well right now. Remember to wear a life jacket when out on the water!
Clinton County
Young Womans Creek
The water temperature is in the high 40’s to low 50’s. Currently, flows are up slightly due to rain but are close to average and good for angling. Anglers are reporting catching Trout using nymphs. Sucker spawn and walt’s worms are hot patterns right now. Suckers are making their annual spawning run. You may catch one or two while targeting trout. Make sure you have some egg patterns!
Fishing Creek
The caddis hatch is currently exceptional on Fishing Creek. Fish are rising as well as eating nymphs. Blue winged olives and hendrickson’s are also presently hatching. Currently, flows are above average but still good for fishing; the water temperature is in the low-to-mid 40’s. Hot patterns include stonefly and caddisfly larvae imitations. Egg patterns will also produce fish. It is also a great opportunity to try streamers. Sculpin imitations will work well right now.
Centre County
Spring Creek
The water temperature is currently in the mid 40’s. The creek is up and has some color due to recent rainfall however, it is still a good time to go fishing. Nymphing is currently working well with pheasant tail nymphs and hot spot sow bugs being hot patterns. There is some activity on top as grannom caddis and blue winged olives are currently hatching.
Southeastern Region
Trout season has opened early across Pennsylvania. It was opened as of 8:00AM on Tuesday, April 7. Please see all of the details about this opening and social distancing advice on our website at the link: 2020 Trout Season Information
Berks County
Good fishing
Nice article on creeks and counties they are in. I’ve fished a few of these , all nice water and great spots for our sportsmen to try. Thanks always looking for new water, and be healthy