Northwest Region
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Crawford County
PFBC Conneaut Lake Access Area Temporary Closure
PFBC staff plan to close the Conneaut Lake Access Area in Crawford County from May 26, 2020 to May 29, 2020 to replace the deteriorated road with new pavement.
Erie County
Lake Erie
The docks are in at Northeast Marina and Shades Beach. Anglers are catching Lake Trout in 70-80 feet of water on plugs. Walleye are everywhere and hitting anything.
Inland Lakes
Anglers are catching a variety of panfish in the inland impoundments. Minnows and worms are the best baits to use. Don’t take minnows from Lake Erie south of I90. Keep your receipt if you buy minnows from a bait shop.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching crappie around submerged trees and other structure with a jig tipped with a minnow under a float. Fishing pressure is high around the lake.
Warren County
PFBC’s Starbrick Access Area Temporary Closure
PFBC staff plan to close the Starbrick Access in Warren County from May 28, 2020 to June 2, 2020 to replace the deteriorated entrance road and parking area with new pavement.
Northeastern Region
Columbia and Southern Luzerne County
As water temperatures continue to rise on local impoundments the crappie fishing is really starting to heat up. Slabs are being caught at Lily Lake, The Ice Ponds, Briar Creek Lake, F.E.W. Reservoir and Mud Pond. The best baits seem to be fatheads and twister tail grubs fished under a float. Remember, Crappies feed up so make sure you vary your depths until you find the fish.
Smallmouth are being caught on the Susquehanna River and the Lehigh River. The Lehigh River is still giving up excellent numbers as trout as well.
Fishing Creek is producing nice trout. Anglers are reminded of the Exclusion Zones on the two dams along Fishing Creek.
Walleye are being caught in the area of Boone’s Dam at Fishing Creek and catfish anglers are doing well on the Susquehanna River.
Boaters are reminded to check all of their safety equipment BEFORE launching and as always, there is zero tolerance for BUI.
Northern Luzerne County
The Largemouth Bass and bluegills have finally moved into the shallows in most area lakes and ponds signaling the spawning season. Smallmouth Bass have been active and are being caught near the bottom over rock and near drop offs at Harveys Lake.
Success has been spotty along the Susquehanna River for both bass and walleye, but the fish that are being caught seem to have a little better size overall compared to last year.
While the air temperatures have heated up quite a bit lately the stream temperatures along area trout streams remains comfortably low for the trout. Anglers have been having considerable luck along Harveys Creek. Focus most of your attention along well shaded and protected runs and deeper holes below fast water.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Hammond Lake
Anglers are currently reporting a phenomenal Crappie bite with the spawn in full swing. Anglers are having success anywhere where there is structure from 4 to 14 feet of water. Artificial baits are working great fished with a slow retrieve or under a float. Any combination of white, chartreuse and purple are all hot colors right now. It is a great opportunity to get out and experience this fishery with friends and family.
Lycoming County
Anglers continue to do well in many of the Stocked Trout Waterways found throughout the county. Anglers are reporting success using both artificial and live bait. Streamers are working well right now. Anglers are also having success fishing the West Branch Susquehanna for Smallmouth Bass. Clouser minnows in white and chartreuse are working particularly well right now.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Currently, the water temperature is in the low 50’s and the creek is flowing slightly above average. Anglers are seeing some activity on top with march browns, sulphurs, blue-winged olives and caddis all hatching. Nymphing continues to be the most productive technique. Bead head pheasant tails and caddis larvae imitations are working well using subsurface techniques. Streamers are also working well in the above average flows.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are reporting a great Crappie bite! It’s a great time to target all of the man-made habitat structures that can be found throughout the lake. Other panfish as well as, some Largemouth Bass are also being caught right now. Artificial baits in white, pink and chartreuse are currently working well. The weather in the coming days will provide a great opportunity for angling!
Southeastern Region
Northampton County
Anglers have started catching panfish such as Bluegills and Pumpkinseeds in the Lehigh Canal in Freemansburg and Bethlehem on worms and small spinners. These panfish can be seen swimming close to shore and are easily caught with simple tackle by novice anglers. Panfish fishing is one sign that warmer water temperatures have arrived. For those anglers still looking to catch trout, the lower section of Bushkill Creek is always promising, as well as Saucon Creek. In the Trophy Trout section of Saucon Creek in Saucon Park, the Sulfur hatch has been very strong according to local fly anglers.