Northwest Region
Purchase your 2022 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses!
Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear
Mandatory cold weather life jacket wear began on November 1st. This means that a person must wear a US Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak from November 1st through April 30th.
REMINDER: Once there is ice on the lakes, be sure to check the ice thickness and have safety gear ready before venturing out on the ice. Ice anglers should be sure to drill test holes as you make your way out on the ice. It is highly recommended to wear a PFD or a float coat, wear yak-tracks on your boots, and use ice awls while on the ice. For more information about ice fishing in PA, click here.
Crawford County
Canadohta Lake
Anglers are catching Muskellunge, Walleye, and panfish through the ice. The lake is drawn down for winter.
Sugar Lake
Anglers are catching panfish, Chain Pickerel, and Bowfin through the ice.
Tamarack Lake
The lake is open to hunters, boaters, and anglers. As a reminder to anglers, the lake is still listed as catch and release only.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Anglers are catching nice crappie, Yellow Perch, and Walleye through the ice near the Jamestown Marina. Minnows under tip-ups or a maggot on a jig seems to be the best bait of choice.
Erie County
Howard Eaton
Howard Eaton has been slow during the day. Late evening and early morning are the times to be there.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Winter is finally upon us. Ice fishing has begun. A few anglers are taking advantage of the weather to venture out and fish. Anglers are catching crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. Avoid venturing out on the ice alone. A reminder that Shenango River Lake is now designated as a Panfish Enhancement Lake. Crappie must be nine inches to harvest, and the creel limit is 20.
Shenango River
The Shenango River fish consumption advisory is still in effect until further notice.
Northeastern Region
Sullivan County
Ice anglers are catching pickerel on Lake Jean. Shiners are the most productive bait. Chasing flags is a great way to stay warm on the ice.
Northern Luzerne County
Most area ponds and lakes have fishable ice thanks to some recent severely cold nights. Most of the ice is clean and strong but there are still some areas, may not have as much formed yet due to water or wind current, stumps, or springs. Remember that as you venture out you should be sounding with a staff and or checking a few test holes before you get too far from shore. As always, it is best to ice fish with a friend or a small group of friends so that you can look out for one another. Having throw ropes, throwable PFD’s and wearing a PFD or flotation coat are always solid choices to make sure you are safe on early season ice.
Don’t forget some creepers for your boots and or some sand to put around the holes to keep yourself from falling on slick ice.
Ice anglers at Harveys Lake should be reminded that with all the ice eaters working to protect the boathouses the ice in certain areas can be deceptively thin far out from shore. Extra caution should be used when you get out on this waterway.
Anglers at Frances Slocum are still struggling to find the magic that provided great catches of slab Black Crappie last year. Maybe they are being shy to bite or just haven’t moved into the area near the dam and the point where most anglers have been targeting them. If one thing was consistent last year when the bite was on, it is that the very best times to be out were at sunset and even into the night. A few decent bluegill and a bass or two have been helping some anglers bide their time so far.
• View more information on ice safety, an ice thickness chart and other safety information
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Ice fishing is currently in full swing in Tioga County!
Clearfield County
West Branch of the Susquehanna River
The West Branch has very little open water as it enters Clearfield. To the South, pockets of moving water do exist below the Curwensville Dam. Anglers have continued to catch a few Walleye both in the early morning and the evening hours. Most are having success using shiners that are suspended underneath of a bobber.
Curwensville Lake
Anglers are currently heading out on the ice both early in the morning and in the late afternoon. Patience usually pays off here as the fish seem to be moving in and out different areas. Tip-ups with minnows or shiners have been producing steady action. Otherwise a Jigging rod with the right electronics could help you detect the subtle crappy bites. Most prefer a tungsten jig tipped with maggots.
Parker Lake
Parker Lake has had very little fishing pressure thus far. In large part due to the majority waters freezing around the same time. There are plenty of Trout to be caught here!
Shagger’s Inn Pond
Anglers are catching good numbers of Trout, Panfish, and Pickerel. There has also been very little pressure at this location. Be sure to bring the 4-wheel drive vehicle with you if attempting to reach Shagger’s Inn Pond! The roads are maintained for snow mobile travel during the winter months.
Janesville
Janesville has also received very little pressure in terms of angler use. The impoundment received a Fall stocking and is teaming with fish! If you are in search of an easy to access place to try your luck on the hard water, Janesville could be just your place.
Southeastern Region
Philadelphia and SE. Montgomery Counties
The trout stocking schedule will be available soon on the PA Fish and Boat Commission Website. Please, look up the dates for stocking in your favorite stream by county.
The Waterways Conservation Officers and the Fish Culturist that stock these streams really depend on the anglers to come out and assist with the stockings. We appreciate your help.
Schuylkill County
All the lakes in the area have great ice conditions, and there is an ice fishing season at the moment. Anglers are catching decent amounts of Yellow Perch and some trout at Tuscarora Lake.
Remember that ice conditions are not monitored by PFBC or DCNR, and to personally check ice depths before venturing out. Make sure you have adequate clothing to keep you warm and afloat in case you fall through the ice. Make sure you carry a spudding staff to check ice on the way out, and keep a pair of ice picks hanging around your neck. For more information, visit the ice fishing page on our website for more information and tips for a safe and successful trip https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx.
Northampton County
Anglers have been seen ice fishing up at Minsi Lake, and although they cannot be harvested, some large Bluegills and Pumpkinseeds have been caught and released. Outside from the occasional ice angler and fly angler, there are not many others out on the streams during this frigid time of year. It is, however, a great time to get prepared for spring trout season. Make sure your equipment is up-to-date and don’t forget to purchase this year’s fishing license. If you are planning on going out on the ice be mindful that the ice may not be uniformly thick. There may be sections of open water from high winds that quickly freeze over when the wind dies down creating a hazardous situation to someone unaware.