Northwest Region
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Butler County
Glade Run Lake
Trout are the only species that may be taken once trout season opened on April 7th. Other fish species, if caught, must be immediately released unharmed. With water temperatures rising, anglers should try casting to deeper waters. Night crawlers and paste baits will work well. Boats must be registered or permitted to use this PFBC property. Boats must be unpowered 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.
Harbar Acres Lake (SGL 95)
This lake is well-stocked with trout. The best bait for trout has been minnows. Paste baits in deeper water work well. Try minnows in shallow waters at the upper end of the lake at sunrise and early in the morning. Anglers with a valid fishing license and trout/salmon stamp may take up to a daily limit of 5 trout. All other inland fishing regulations apply.
Lake Arthur
Hybrid striped bass are coming into the shallows at night near most of the popular boat accesses. Boat anglers will have access to many other shallow areas. Shiny stick baits or live alewife are a traditional favorite and work well.
The Glades (SGL 95)
Boats accessing The Glades must be unpowered or electric motor only. Although no permits are required for non-powered boats, valid motorboat registration is required for boats using electric motors. – Boats may not enter the waterfowl propagation area after August 31st. The propagation area is marked appropriately with yellow signs.
Crawford County
French Creek
Anglers are catching Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike with spinners, soft plastic baits, and jerkbaits. Water levels are a little up so paddle with caution and wear a PFD.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching some nice panfish mostly in the north end of the lake. Recreation traffic is picking up.
Tamarack Lake
Tamarack Lake is still closed to all fishing and boating activity.
Sugar Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and Yellow Perch using minnows under a float.
Woodcock Creek Lake
Anglers are catching Muskellunge, Walleye, and panfish.
Geneva Swamp
Anglers are catching Bowfin.
Erie County
Lake Erie
The walleye fishing has been slow. It will pick up as the water temperature of Lake Erie rises. Anglers are catching Lake Trout off the mountain using plugs. Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass in front of the Northeast Marina and plenty of shallow water areas. Drop shot rigs are the way to go.
Lake Pleasant
Anglers are catching panfish and Largemouth Bass with nightcrawlers and bobbers being the bait of choice.
Warren County
PFBC’s Starbrick Access Area Temporary Closure
PFBC staff plan to close the Starbrick Access in Warren County from June 10, 2020 to June 13, 2020 to replace the deteriorated entrance road and parking area with new pavement.
Northeastern Region
Wyoming County
The Susquehanna River has been at an excellent level for both fishermen and those enjoying a day paddling from a canoe or kayak. Anglers are catching nice sized Channel Catfish on live bait and some Smallmouth Bass on a variety of artificial lures. Oxbow Lake and Stevens Lake have been providing nice sized Bluegill on jigs and night crawlers. Trout are still being caught, particularly while trolling using spoons, at Lake Winola. Some of the best weather and fishing conditions of the year has been right now throughout the area.
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
Water levels on the North Branch Susquehanna River have dropped quickly over the last few days and water clarity has improved. Walleye bite is slow but there is some Smallmouth Bass activity starting to pick up prior to the season opener June 13. Jigging continues to be one of the most productive tactics with green being a hot color.
Southern Pike and Northeast Monroe counties
Warmer temperatures have triggered sunfish to begin spawning and anglers are having good luck catching a variety of sunfish species using artificial and natural baits.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Cowanesque Lake/Spillway
Anglers are currently having some success catching hybrid Striped Bass using cut bait and live minnows as well. Some anglers are also having success targeting Muskies along the North shore of the lake. The peak of prime spawning activity for Crappies is winding down but some anglers are still having success targeting near shore structure.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers have been having a blast targeting Bluegills near the shoreline. Bluegills are currently spawning and can be found close to shore all along the lake. It’s a great time to get outside and introduce someone new to angling as these fish provide a great opportunity to have a successful angling adventure. Both artificial and live bait will work well when targeting these aggressive fish.
Pine Creek
Anglers continue to report great hatches coming off on upper Pine Creek. Reports of good numbers of Slate Drakes are currently producing great dry fly action, especially in the evenings. Sub-surface techniques continue to produce the most hook-ups through the slower hour’s midday. Some large Stoneflies are also hatching, along with Blue-winged Olives, Sulphurs and some Green Drakes. Streamers are also working well right now.
Clinton County
West Branch Susquehanna
Anglers are reporting a decent Smallmouth Bass bite as well as, some Walleye in deeper holes. Jigging artificial baits or night crawlers slowly near the bottom is proving to be the desired technique for both species. Channel Catfish are also being caught using the same technique. Streamers are currently working well both in the evenings and early mornings for Smallmouth Bass. Some anglers are having success fishing for Muskies in the river as well.
Centre County
Spring Creek
Currently, the water temperature is in 50’s and the flows are at optimal levels to provide great fishing. Sulphurs are providing consistent dry fly action with some Cahills and Blue-winged Olives around as well. Anglers are having the most success fishing in some of the faster moving water. Nymphing continues to produce the most fish when the bugs are not coming off in numbers. Overcast conditions are the most favorable for action on the surface. Sulphur duns and Sulphur nymphs are hot patterns to consider right now.
Southeastern Region
Bucks County
Anglers have been doing quite well with the shad and striper runs all along the Delaware River from above the Poquessing Creek all the way up into New Hope and above.
There have already been boating fatalities that could have been prevented by wearing United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) this season. Please ensure your boat is fully equipped with serviceable PFDs for everyone on board. Check on weather and water conditions prior to embarking on your trip. A little bit of research could save your life.
Not all Slow No Wake zones are marked by buoys or signs. It is your responsibility as a boater to know when to maintain slow, no wake speed. Some instances include when within 100 feet of the shoreline, docks, launching ramps, swimmers or downed skiers, persons wading in the water, anchored, moored or drifting boats, and floats. There are areas of water with special regulations, such as the entire length of Neshaminy Creek being a Slow No Wake Zone, you need to be aware of. Visit our website, listed below, to learn about the rules and regulations of the areas you intend to boat.
Please visit our site for more boating information and checklists.
Boating Main Page: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/Pages/default.aspx
Regulations: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/default.aspx
Safety FAQ: http://www.fishandboat.com/LearningCenter/FAQs/Pages/BoatingSafetyPWC.aspx
Chester County
An interpretive observation deck is available at the main silt basin at the Black Rock Sanctuary. A quality grade, fixed mount viewing binoculars was funded by a grant from the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area and the William Penn Foundation. Visitors to this site will be able watch not only wildlife and waterfowl but the Schuylkill River and its tributaries that flow through the site. This would be an excellent place to bring your camera along so you can capture some of Pennsylvania’s landscapes and wildlife including a large variety of birds and waterfowl. For more information, call 610-469-1916.
The West Caln Sportsmen was stocked the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek on Saturday, June 6 with trout from their Trout Nursery located on Sugarmens Road, right across from the Lions Head entrance to Hibernia County Park. The stocking ran from about 6 Am till about noon. The stocking locations were Cedar Knoll Road Bridge to just below the Hatfield House Bridge. Some of these holdover fish are trophy class.