Northwest Region
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Venango County
Area Trout Waters
Local anglers are having good success rates on Sandy Creek, Sugar creek, Oil Creek, East Sandy Creek, and Justus Lake.
Walleye Season Opens
Walleye season opened Saturday May 2, 2020. Commonwealth inland regulations dictate a minimum size limit of 16” and a daily possession limit of six.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye on crankbaits.
French Creek
From Utica through Franklin, anglers are catching northern pike and smallmouth bass using spinners, jigs, and crankbaits.
Oil Creek
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass and walleye between Oil City and Rynd Farm.
The area from Rynd Farm upstream through Drake Well, including the Keystone Select & Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure Only section(s), received their trout stockings in 2020.
Twomile Run Reservoir (Justus Lake)
Justus Lake received its scheduled trout stockings in 2020. Anglers are catching trout and bass particularly from the area of the southern (newest) boat launch and extending to the dam.
REGISTRATION OF NON-POWERED WATERCRAFT REQUIRED AT PFBC LAKES/ACCESS AREAS
With the 2020 boating season beginning, boaters are reminded that non-powered watercraft, which otherwise would not require registration, are required to display either a current registration or a launch permit when launching or retrieving at all PFBC lakes and/or access areas. For a complete listing of regulations pertaining to PFBC properties, please refer to the following link: fishinpa.com/pfbcproperty.html
Warren County
Kinzua Reservoir
Anglers fishing from boats are catching a variety of game fish near Devil’s Elbow using just nightcrawlers. Devil’s Elbow is located between Kinzua Dam and Kinzua Point. It’s the small bridge on Route 59 before the large bridge by Wolf Run Marina. The large bridge is another great spot for fishing close to the banks. The best place for Walleye is still around the mouth of Sugar Bay.
Northeastern Region
Carbon County
Many anglers reported doing well catching trout using a variety of baits and spinners on the opening day of trout. Anglers were observed catching some large rainbow trout and golden trout on many of the district’s stocked trout waters in recent weeks since the opening day of trout season. All the in-season trout stockings in the district have been completed for the spring season which should provide good fishing opportunities for weeks to come. The Lehigh River had received a trout stocking by a local sportsmen club. However, due to recent rain events, most of the streams including the Lehigh River were flowing higher than normal and are now returning to normal flow levels.
Anglers fishing Beltzville Lake have reported catching a few walleye and Striped Bass during the evenings. Striped Bass action was good in the vicinity of the Pine Run boat launch. Chicken liver appeared to be a bait of choice for most stripe bass. Boat anglers reported good bass action (catch & immediate release) in the area of Pohopoco Creek Bay area of the lake.
Mauch Chunk Lake has been producing some perch and crappie action near the area of boat launch b.
Hickory Run Lake and the Sand Spring Run dam located within the campground area of Hickory Run State Park have been providing good opportunities to catch some brook trout.
As the boating season is approaching, boaters are reminded to check all the required safety equipment on their boats before venturing out onto the water. In addition, please check to make sure your boat is properly registered. Motorboats and boats powered by an electric motor must display a proper motorboat registration. Unpowered boats such as canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, etc. launching at Commission lakes or access areas including PA State Parks launch or access areas must display either a Commission launch use permit or a PA State Parks launch permit or mooring permit.
Remember, alcohol is not permitted at Beltzville Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake on both the water and shore areas. Laws pertaining to the possession and or use of alcoholic beverages are strictly enforced.
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
Trout anglers looking to catch some fish following heavy rains may look to the area impoundments that are stocked. Sunfish Pond, Mountain Lake, Cook’s Pond & Hunters Lake. Anglers are reporting good success with gold colored spinners.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Lake Nessmuk
Anglers are having success fishing for crappie and other panfish in the lake. Anglers are having success fishing around the man-made habitat structures that can be found throughout the lake. Artificial lures are working well in white and chartreuse. Please remember, Lake Nessmuk is a catch and release waterway for all species in order to establish recently stocked populations.
Northumberland County
Susquehanna River
The Walleye and Bass angling are currently hit and miss in the Sunbury area given the fluctuating water levels. Those having success are using tubes and minnows. As a reminder, if you catch a Bass while fishing, it is catch and release. They are currently moving into their spawning period and it is beneficial to target other species for the time being.
McKean County
Anglers are catching trout using both nymphs and dry flies. Don’t be afraid to venture to some of PA’s wild trout streams when other streams/rivers are high, you just might be surprised at how much fun you can have!
Clinton and Lycoming Counties
With all of the trout stocking now completed for the season, the stocked trout waters of Clinton and Lycoming counties are loaded with hungry trout, waiting to challenge the eager angler.
Anglers are reporting great success targeting a variety of species. Anglers are currently doing well fishing for Bass, Walleye and Musky in the West Branch Susquehanna River. Anglers are reporting that the bite is variable as the weather keeps fluctuating. Warmer days are proving to be more conducive for active fish. With high water, most anglers are focusing on calm pools, eddies and slack water along the banks. Once the water recedes, anglers should resume normal tactics to locate fish.
Centre County
Black Moshannon Creek
Anglers are catching Trout using a variety of techniques. Please remember, the 1.3 mile stretch from Dry Hollow downstream to 0.3 miles downstream of the Huckleberry road bridge is designated as Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only.
Southeastern Region
Delaware County
Trout season came to Delaware County like Santa Claus. There were plenty of gifts in the stream when people woke up on Tuesday, April 7th. Delco waterways were stocked and ready to roll. Hopefully, anglers got an opportunity to get out when they got some time to catch some of the amazing trout that our PFBC hatcheries raised and brought out. Thanks to all of those who were patient while we got the trout in the water, and to those who let us know that some folks didn’t appear to be as patient. Anglers in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties did very well on the opening week of trout season! The local Conservation Officer saw many anglers and their families catching fish and being out and about for that week. Southeast PA has been receiving mostly Brown Trout over the last couple years and spinners have been not only fun, but successful for catching fish. Big Rainbow Trout and Golden Rainbows were stocked in various waterways, and a few have been caught to date; but not all. It was great to see that stream litter has been minimal.
In the Delaware River, the stripers have arrived! The run is on and the bite is typical (hit or miss). Many stripers have arrived in the river, and catches have been reported all the way up to Trenton Falls. Tinicum Island, Chester Island and below the Commodore Barry Bridge have been hot spots as usual for the boaters. Shore anglers are doing well behind the airport along Hog Island Road, catching short fish and some breeders. Bloodworms can be found at various sources throughout the county, and a great resource for more information is the Delaware River Striped Bass Fishing Group on Facebook. Signs were posted and cards were handed out to remind anglers of the regulation changes that went into effect on March 1st regarding striped bass fishing on the Delaware River estuary. New regulations are as follows:
THE USE OF A NON-OFFSET (IN-LINE) CIRCLE HOOK IS REQUIRED WHEN FISHING WITH BAIT FOR ANY SPECIES OF FISH IN THE TIDAL DELAWARE ESTUARY.
- DELAWARE RIVER (NON-TIDAL) – FROM THE CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE UPSTREAM
Season – Open Year-round
Size – Harvestable Slot: 28 to less than 35 inches │ Daily Limit – 1
- DELAWARE RIVER AND DELAWARE ESTUARY (TIDAL) – FROM PA LINE UPSTREAM TO CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE INCLUDING ALL WATERS DEFINED AS THE DELAWARE ESTUARY. The use of non-offset (in-line) circle hooks is required when fishing with bait.
Season – January 1 to March 31 and June 1 to December 31
Size – Harvestable Slot: 28 to less than 35 inches │ Daily Limit – 1
Season – April 1 to May 31
Size – Harvestable Slot: 21 to less than 24 inches │ Daily Limit – 2
Chester Boat Ramp still doesn’t have usable docks at the time of this report submission (April 30), but the ramps are typically usable. Ridley Marina was slated to open up the ramp on May 1st.