Northwest Region
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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.
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Anglers who are fishing through the ice are catching bluegill and crappie using maggots and wax worms. A few people are catching hybrid striped bass through the ice using rubber/plastic worms that are white or pearl in color.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Winter is still lingering. Ice conditions are deteriorating. A reminder that Shenango Reservoir 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 fish consumption advisory is still in effect until further notice.
Other waters
Stocked Trout Waters closed on February 21, 2022, for stocking activities.
Northeastern Region
Northern Carbon and Southern Monroe County
Most lakes across the county are completely iced over. Anglers on some private impoundments have been seeing success catching perch using jigs tipped with wax worms. Anglers, ice skaters, and anyone who ventures onto the ice are reminded to always check ice conditions prior to getting onto the ice, and to remain aware of changing weather conditions. To view more information on ice safety, an ice thickness chart and other safety information visit: Ice/Winter Fishing (fishandboat.com).
Trout stocking schedules are available on our website. Monitor our social media pages and website to be the first to know when your favorite streams will be stocked. Anglers are reminded that Approved Trout Waters close on February 21st, and the new statewide opening day of trout this year is April 2nd.
Boaters are reminded that the mandatory PFD wear period is still in effect until April 30th. All persons must wear a US Coast Guard-approved PFD at all times on ALL kayaks and canoes, and boats less than 16
Northern Luzerne County
Most area anglers have been working hard to find any success on the ice. Anglers at Harveys Lake anglers targeting trout on tip-ups have been picking up some pickerel in the area off the PFBC launch. Some of which have been over 20 inches with good girth.
Panfish anglers at Harris Pond, Lake Jean and Frances Slocum have had to work hard to find hungry fish. Traditional methods of tipping an ice jig with a mousie or wax worm seem to be what is working when things go right. Using a fish finder sure helps but even when guys have been sitting on the fish and putting the bait in front of them that hasn’t guaranteed success.
Usually, it seems most years that you can discern a pattern to follow on timing when the fish will be hitting. Maybe it’s mornings or sunset to a few hours after, but not so much this year. One angler targeting bluegill had been skunked on his previous attempts in the mornings and evenings. Recently, he went out midday without a cloud in the sky and cleaned up on about 30 or so nice gills. If there is anything to be said about this season it is that you can’t catch ’em if you ain’t fishing.
Anglers are reminded with the change of the Opening Day of Trout Season the closure of streams listed as Stocked Trout Waters has been moved to an earlier date. That date (which used to be March 1st) has been changed to February 21st. At this point, signage should have been changed by area WCOs to match the new closure date.
Bradford County
Ice anglers targeting panfish on Stephen Foster Lake at Mt. Pisgah State Park are reporting slow catch rates. Jigging with waxworms has been most reliable for those finding success.
Southeastern Region
Lancaster County
The Fly Fishing Show returns to the Lancaster County Convention Center for its tenth incarnation on Saturday, March 5th from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and Sunday, March 6th form 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Scouts under 16 in uniform are admitted free of charge. The PFBC will have an exhibit with many of our popular and informative complimentary publications.
The Southern Lancaster County District Officer will be staffing the exhibit on both days and will be available to highlight local trout fishing opportunities, specifically on the County’s two Special Regulation Waters; Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only – West Branch Octoraro Creek – Section #3 and the Donegal Creek – Section #3.
Bring the family out and learn more about the 2022 Mentored Youth Trout Days and the County’s and Commonwealth’s many trout fishing opportunities. The show is well-attended and well presented, including fly tying and casting demonstrations with legendary Joe Humphreys.