Northwest Region
Get your fishing license ONLINE!
2020 Fishing Licenses are now available for purchase – Click here to purchase
Crawford County
Woodcock Creek Lake
Anglers are catching a few Walleye, Bowfin, Smallmouth Bass, panfish and Muskellunge.
French Creek
Anglers are catching Walleye from the Meadville access on Wilson Shutes Rd. Water levels are low making it tough in spots for people floating downstream.
Canadohta Lake
Anglers are catching nice sized Muskellunge, Walleye, and panfish.
Sugar Lake
Anglers are catching panfish, Bowfin, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike from the PFBC access.
Erie County
Area Steelhead Tributaries
There are some Steelhead in 20-mile creek but they haven’t made it south of Route 5. The water is low and clear.
Lake Erie
The Walleye fishing is slowing down for the year. Walleye are much deeper in 100’ – 115’ of water and Lake Erie has been very rough lately. Anglers are catching Walleye on Spoons and crawler harnesses.
Lake LeBouef
Anglers are catching Muskellunge in Lake LeBouef on bucktails and spoons.
Lake Pleasant
Anglers are catching Northern Pike in Lake Pleasant on the western side using spinnerbaits.
Warren County
Allegheny Reservoir
Recreational boating traffic has decreased drastically. Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass in 4 to 30 feet of water using crank baits, plastic worms, and stickbaits. Anglers are catching Walleye in 20 to 60 feet of water using spoons and crawler harnesses. Anglers are catching Northern Pike in the bays using spinners, jerk baits, and live bait. Boaters should be cautious in the bays as the water levels have changed drastically.
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching Northern Pike using live bait at the outflow. Walleye fishing picks up in the morning and late evenings. Anglers are catching several large Brown Trout off the outflow wall and down through the rapids along Hemlock road using live bait and spinners. The water level is still very low, so be cautious of rocks when navigating on motorboats. Reminder to all that anyone born on or after January 1, 1982, may not operate a motorboat greater than 25hp unless they have obtained and have in possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate.
Chapman Dam Reservoir
The fish population in the reservoir is still recovering from the drawdown. The reservoir is still under a special regulation making it unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish except trout. All fish caught other than trout must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. Reminder to all that all canoes and kayaks operated on the reservoir must display an official Launch Permit from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Launch permits can be purchased at the park office or online via fishandboat.com.
Northeastern Region
Wyoming County
Local rivers and streams remain low, clear, and cool. Smallmouth Bass fishing on the Susquehanna River has been the best fishing around right now. Bass are hitting a variety of soft plastic jigs, jerk baits, and live hellgrammites. Lake Winola and Lake Carey fishing has been fair for panfish and Largemouth Bass. Walleye fishing has been slow on Lake Carey but that should pick up as the Fall fishing season progresses. Look for the fly fishing only section of Bowmans Creek to be stocked with trout later this month if water conditions are favorable.
Lackawanna County
Anglers are seeing continued success for crappies at both Lackawanna State Park and Griffin Reservoir. Jigs below a bobber continue to be the hot bait. Now that Lackawanna State Park, Merli Sarnoski Park, and the Roaring Brook Creek have had their fall stockings and trout fishermen are beginning to have success on a variety of baits. Anglers are reminded that during the extended trout season, the daily creel limit for trout is three.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Fall is here and with it comes the fall allocation of trout stocking. With low water conditions, streams and lakes that receive these allocations of trout are being closely monitored to ensure stockings can commence. Individuals interested in this process should be aware that the COVID-19 stocking procedures utilized in the spring are still in place for the fall stocking.
Tioga Spillway
Anglers are currently experiencing good luck fishing from a small boat or kayak anchored outside of the restricted area and casting into the restricted area. Anglers are having success catching hybrid striped bass using crayfish, however if you decide to use crayfish, please consult the laws regarding the transportation of these aquatic species.
Nessmuk Lake
The reservoir is extremely low and launching a boat from a trailer is not possible. Folks looking to use the reservoir for boating should consider launching a kayak or canoe from the dam breast area. If using the property at the dam breast area, please do not park in front of the gate.
Centre County
Sayers Lake
Anglers are currently having success fishing for Crappie around the causeway. Live minnows are currently working best to target these fish. Anglers are also having good success fishing for Bass along the submerged roadbed. Rubberworms, spinnerbaits, and large shiners are producing good numbers of fish.
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are currently catching Trout on a variety of flies and live bait from Milesburg downstream to Sayers Lake. Water temperatures continue to drop in this section and the fish are actively feeding. Nymphs have been producing the most fish however, terrestrial patterns are also working right now.
Lycoming County
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are currently having success fishing for Smallmouth Bass in some of the deeper pools. Targeting structure and bridge pilings in deep pools provide a great place to search for these fish. Topwater lures are currently working well early in the mornings and late in the evenings. It’s a great time of year to get on the water and you never know what could happen when fishing in Pennsylvania.
Rose Valley Lake
Anglers are currently having success trolling around the drop-offs and nearshore structures around the edge of the lake. The cold temperatures have some of the lake’s fishes more active. Some nice sized Pickerel have been cooperative for anglers using this method.
Southeastern Region
Lehigh County
With cooler water temperatures anglers are having successful outings catching crappie with live minnows at Leaser Lake.
Anglers report they are having success catching Channel Catfish while using chicken livers and nightcrawlers at the Canal Park Boat Access.
Despite low water levels in Little Lehigh Creek, fly fishing anglers are successfully catching trout throughout the Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only Section. Fly anglers report they are using midges, caterpillars, and stoneflies.
Northampton County
Anglers have reported catching Flathead Catfish in the Delaware River near Easton just below the Lehigh River Confluence. The anglers having the most luck catching Flatheads were using chicken livers and live minnows.
For those anglers looking for trout, the lower section of Bushkill Creek below 13th street is always a great spot to go. Several trout have been landed from Saucon Creek in Saucon Park.
Lastly, anglers have been going to Minsi Lake recently and several Largemouth Bass have been caught. They are small, approximately 8-10”, but the fishery is recovering quickly after refilling. Remember that only trout may be harvested at Minsi Lake.