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.
Erie County
Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant is closed to fishing until the opening day of trout on April 2nd.
Union City Reservoir
Anglers are catching panfish, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.
Lake LeBouef
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch.
Forest County
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is currently flowing at high levels. Anglers are catching Walleye and Northern Pike in the Tionesta Pool between the Route 36 Bridge and Sherman Island. The Sand and Gravel Boat Launch is open.
Tionesta Lake
Tionesta Lake is high and covered with ice. The boat launch is closed due to high water, ice, and debris.
Tionesta Outflow
The Tionesta Outflow is currently high, but fishable near the wall. Anglers are reminded that the Outflow is designated as Trout Stocked Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing; therefore, a Trout Permit is required to fish the Outflow.
Trout Stocked Waters
Anglers are reminded that all Trout Stocked Waters are now closed to fishing or bait harvesting, until 8:00am, April 02, 2022. Please see the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website for stocking times and locations.
Ross Run
The Kellettville Sportsmen’s Club will be stocking the Children Only Fishing area on April 23, 2022.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
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 fish consumption advisory is still in effect until further notice.
Northeastern Region
Columbia/Southern Luzerne Counties
There currently is no safe ice across in these two counties due to the recent upswing in temperatures and rain in the area.
The pre-season trout stockings are in full swing as the season quickly approaches. Check out the Commission’s website for Stocking Schedules and feel free to assist. The help is always appreciated and there is no better way to learn new water you’ve always wanted to try.
The Susquehanna River is open and flowing. There has been some fishing activity even though waters remain high and off colored from runoff. Fishing has been slow, but the fish are there. Try a lure with a lot of vibration, such as rattle baits or large spoons. Give scented lures or live baits a try.
Trout anglers are again reminded of the single Statewide Opener on April 2nd and the single Statewide Mentored Youth Day on March 26th. Anglers should note that not all Stocked Trout Waters will be stocked prior to the Mentored Youth Day. Be sure to check the stocking schedule on the website to verify that the waterway you want to fish has been stocked.
Boaters are again reminded of the Mandatory Wear Period for life jackets. Anyone in a boat less than 16 feet in length and anyone in a canoe or kayak must wear a USCG approved WEARABLE personal flotation device of the appropriate size. This is regardless of age and is in effect through April 30th.
North Carbon/ South Monroe Counties
Anglers planning to ice fish after the recent warm weather should use extreme caution when venturing onto the ice. Ice conditions are not monitored by the PFBC and anglers should monitor weather conditions.
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 closed 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 feet.
Northwest Monroe, Southern Wayne and Western Pike Counties
With trout stockings officially underway throughout the commonwealth, the countdown to the start to the Trout Season is upon us. Before you know it, opening day will be here and the season will officially commence.
Ice is beginning to melt across the entire district. Individuals are still fishing hard at lakes such as Gouldsboro and Brady’s, in Monroe County, as well as Lake Wallenpaupack, in Pike and Wayne Counties. Several big crappie were reeled in over the weekend at Brady’s Lake with most of them being caught jigging through the ice. This winter has produced several nice stripers on Lake Wallenpaupack through the ice, but with the lake being refilled from the drawdown, the lake is quickly losing ice, and before long will be ready for boaters to hit the open water.
As a reminder, Stocked Trout Waters are closed to all fishing (including taking of minnows) from February 21 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the trout season. A person shall be deemed to be fishing if he or she has in possession any fishing line, rod, or other device that can be used for fishing while on or in any water or on the banks within 25 feet of any water where fishing is prohibited. Unless geographically designated in the Region Regulated Trout Waters section, the term trout stocked waters includes the entire stream from headwaters to mouth. This will allow the fish to be stocked and spread throughout the waterway for all anglers to enjoy.
Wyoming County
The Susquehanna River has been shaping up nicely for some early season anglers. Channel Catfish are already being sought after down-river of Tunkhannock and anglers are having luck using cut bait. Walleye up to 25 inches have been caught on the river on jigs and minnows fished slowly on the bottom. With the water being very cold and stained, anglers are finding fish relatively tight to shoreline. Key areas are deeper sections of the river that are also away from the main current. As for Trout fishing, Lake Winola, which is a Stocked Trout Water Open to Year-Round Fishing, was recently stocked. However, due to a large portion of the lake being frozen there have been no reports