Northwest Region
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Butler County
Lake Arthur
Anglers are catching crappie on jigs with plastic baits and minnows. The best time to fish for crappie has been twilight and overnight. Anglers are catching Muskellunge using large swimbaits on a couple of different parts of the lake.
Area rivers and lakes
As July comes to an end, fishing is back in full swing. The recent storms have dropped the water temperatures down in many lakes and streams, the catfish bite is ON! Many anglers are choosing to go out early morning or just before dark, but anglers are catching catfish throughout the day using scent baits such as chicken liver or cut bait. As for carp, try floating bread balls by lightly packing the bread around your hook. Be careful not to press too hard on the bread and squeeze all the air pockets out of it which keeps it afloat. As for boating, the fluctuating temperatures are making the number of boaters hit or miss. Make sure to check your local weather forecast prior to your trip, and make sure there’s a bridge nearby if a pop-up shower appears. As always, check the local rules and regulations for the area you are in and make sure you, as well as your vessel, are complying.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Shenango Reservoir water levels are still high but are going down. The abundance of rain in the last week and the cooler temperatures really have the fishing heating up. A reminder that Shenango River Lake is now designated as a Panfish Enhancement Lake. Crappie must be 9 inches to harvest, and the creel limit is 20.
Shenango River
The Shenango River fish consumption advisory is still in effect until further notice.
Trout Stocked Waters
The delayed harvest areas and other deeper trout streams are still producing trout. Anglers are catching trout in the Shenango Reservoir as well.
Northcentral Region
Northumberland County
The Walleye and Bass angling is currently hit and miss in the Sunbury area with the water levels changing so frequently in the Susquehanna River. Anglers experiencing success are using tubes, and live minnows. As a reminder, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass are under catch and release regulations from the inflatable dam near Sunbury downstream to Holtwood Dam, including all tributaries to a point ½ mile upstream from the confluence.
Jefferson County
Cloe Lake is currently experiencing a lot of boating activity with the warm summer weather. Anglers are still having success targeting Bass and Panfish at Cloe Lake. The very scenic Clarion River is attracting canoes and kayaks from across the state. Catfish, Yellow Perch, and Panfish are currently being caught at Reeds Dam. Please remember to always have the proper safety equipment on board while enjoying this boating season!
McKean County
Water levels are slowly coming down on Kinzua Reservoir, after receiving the downpour last weekend. Most launching docks are still under water. It might be a good idea to arrive with your motorboat wearing swim trunks or bathing suits. This also applies for boat owners that have a slip at Wolf Run Marina. Only the initial section of the dock, that meets land, is under water because they are anchored to land. Lastly, be careful and pay attention out on the water. There is a lot of debris and very large floating object out there. Navigating at night could be especially costly, possibly fatal.
Northeastern Region
Pike & Wayne County
The fishing on Lake Wallenpaupack has slowed down a bit with the warmer temperatures, but Striped Bass are still occasionally being caught in the evenings and into the night in areas between Shuman Point and Mangan Cove and around Lake Crest and Ironwood following the movement of the alewife population in the lake. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and walleye are still able to be caught during cooler weather with low boating traffic. Panfish, catfish, and Smallmouth Bass are successfully being caught at Shohola Marsh Reservoir.
Southern Monroe & Northern Carbon County
Anglers are having success catching Largemouth Bass using a variety of baits, including crank baits, rubber worms, and live bait such as worms and minnows. The trout in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure section of the McMichael Creek, section 5, has been hot for small stick baits and a variety of wet and dry flies. Anglers are reminded that fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures may be used with spinning or fly gear. The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste, and similar substances, fish eggs (natural or molded) or any other edible substance is prohibited. A current trout permit is required. The daily creel limit is three trout (combined species, minimum length 9 inches) from June 15 through Labor Day, caught on or in possession on the waters under these regulations. From the day after Labor Day until June 15, the daily creel limit is zero.
