Northeastern Region
Carbon County
During the Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day, both mentors and their mentored youths were successful catching trout on most of the approved trout waters in the district. Paste baits, live minnow, night crawlers were the baits of choice. Most streams received light to medium fishing pressure.
Anglers are reminded that although the Regular Opening Day of Trout season begins on April 18th at 8:00AM, the bass season will be closed through June 12.
Anglers are reminded that most fishing access areas to approved trout waters in the district are on private property. Anglers should refrain from blocking driveways, gates, littering, building or tending open fires. Please respect the rights of the landowners. By respecting the rights of the landowners it will help ensure access to the streams for stocking and fishing in the future.
Boaters are reminded that during the period from November1st to April 30th life jackets are required to be worn while on a boat less than 16’ in length and on all canoes and kayaks. Before venturing out onto the water, boaters are reminded to check all of the necessary safety equipment on the boat such as wearable personal flotation devices including that the personal flotation devices are in serviceable condition meaning no rips or tears, zippers in working order including the straps and snap closures, type IV throwable flotation device ( required on boats 16’ or more in length except canoes and kayaks) and a USCG Approved fire extinguisher ( if required) is in serviceable condition.
In addition, please make sure the motorboat registration is current. Non powered boats such as canoes and kayaks, etc. must have either a current Launch Permit from the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission or DCNR or a non-powered boat registration to access Pa. Fish & Boat Commission or DCNR lakes and launch areas.
Pike and Wayne County
The ice has finally melted and the northeast is coming alive again. Anglers are getting their boats ready and the opening day of trout is only a few days away. Youth Mentor participants got to take advantage of fishing for trout last weekend with some success even though the waters were still running high. Boaters are reminded that PFD’s are required by law to be worn until the end of April, so if you plan on using a boat on the opening day of trout “Wear It”.
Lackawanna County
Aidan Busacco, of Gouldsboro, was super excited to get out for the mentored youth day. Aidan was fishing the Roaring Brook in Scranton when he caught this nice trout with his Dad, Sam.
Trout stocking is nearly complete in Lackawanna County in anticipation for the opening day of trout season. The Lackawanna River is scheduled to be stocked this Friday. Water levels in the Lackawanna River are elevated. The water levels in most streams in the county are still elevated as of Tuesday, April 14th.
The shorelines have opened up at Curtis & Elmhurst Reservoirs. Maple Lake is still not fishable as of Sunday, April 12th.
The mentored youth program was a huge success as many young anglers participated across the county. Many limits were taken and a nice golden rainbow was landed in the South Branch Tunkhannock.
Tyler Ganz, age 5 of Montdale, was fishing with his Uncle, Jared Ganz, when he caught and released this Golden Rainbow in the South Branch Tunkhannock on the mentored youth fishing day.
Wyoming County
Fishing opportunities will increase in the county this weekend with the opening of trout season. As of now, there is still a significant amount of ice on Lake Winola and Oxbow Lake. Hopefully by the opening day the ice will have melted. Streams are a little high right now, but the weather forecast over the next few days looks good and streams should be in good shape by Saturday. All of the pre-season stocking is finished.
The Susquehanna River remains high and fast, but there were catfish anglers having some luck from the shoreline at Whites Ferry over the weekend. Some of the lakes and ponds are clear of ice and there are opportunities for panfishing.
Monroe County
Approved Trout Waters saw light action this past weekend on the Mentored Youth Trout Day. The anglers that did participate enjoyed the lack of angler competition and ability for the children to learn about fishing.
Susquehanna County
Richard Diffendorf JR. (right) and mentor Chris Tinder (left) were successful on Snake Creek during Mentored Youth Day.
Northwest Region
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Several anglers have reported the bite has been slow but have managed to land a few crappies.
Piney Dam
Notice to all anglers & boaters recreating on Piney Dam. Beginning on April 1, 2015 thru October 31, 2016 Brookfield Power will draw down the level of Piney Dam to a level approximately 5 feet below normal pool to conduct repairs to the dam. These repairs will consist of the complete rebuild of the 14 discharge gates of the dam. The repairs to each gate will take approximately 6-8 weeks. Brookfield Power acknowledges the drawdown during this period will affect docks and recreation boating on Piney Dam. The drawdown may also affect the Toby & Mill Creek Boat Launches. Brookfield Power will be placing notices in the local newspapers to alert the public of the repairs and impacts to Piney Dam. They also will be placing signage at the Toby and Mill Creek boat launches to alert the boaters and anglers to the drawdown. Contact person at Brookfield Power for any questions is Randy Garletts. Phone number is 301-387-6616
Allegheny River
A few Walleyes and Northern Pike are being reported near the I-80 Bridge, Parker islands, and the mouths of the Clarion River & Redbank Creek. The PFBC’s Parker Access Area has been reopened.
Piney Creek DHALO Area
Anglers continue to do well in the project. Anglers are reminded only artificial lures maybe used in the project and the use or possession of bait is prohibited.
Pre-Season Trout Stockings
4/13 – East Sandy Creek (Clarion Co) and Bear & Silver Creeks (Butler Co) – Meet stocking truck 11:30 am
Bruin Bowling Alley State Route 268 in Bruin.
4/14 – Mill Creek & Cather’s Run – Meet stocking truck 10:45 am Leeper Red & White store Int. of SR36 & 66.
4/15 – Toms Run – Meet stocking truck 11:30 am Cook Forest State Park SR 36 Cooksburg.
Notice to angler fishing Canoe Creek on the opening day. The section of Canoe Creek that runs under the I-80 bridge on Tippecanoe Road was not stocked due to the road closure & construction work that is currently being conducted on the bridges there.
Venango County
AN ANGLER’S CODE OF ETHICS:
As the 2015 trout season approaches, please keep the following in mind… When afield, practice sound conservation ethics; be mindful that landowners are not required to post against trespass. Pennsylvania law requires that you, the land user, obtain prior permission of the landowner before engaging in any activity on their property. Many local landowners extend anglers the courtesy of fishing opportunities on their lands; therefore, you are their guest. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission signage is routinely placed along those stream sections open to public fishing. When in doubt, stay out.
Remember, ethical anglers DO NOT litter. Additionally, they do not camp, build fires, cut trees, block gates, roadways, or driveways, nor do they operate any motorized vehicle (ATV’s included) on property of another without advanced permission of the landowner. These unlawful actions will, and do, get ground POSTED!
Allegheny River
Boaters are reminded to always wear a personal flotation device that is serviceable and of the proper size. Additionally, prepare a float plan and provide it to a reliable someone who will immediately activate emergency services in the event you do not return in the time indicated.
French Creek
Canoeists and kayakers are beginning to traverse this waterway again. All operators are encouraged to scout ahead as stream conditions have been impacted by previous high water events.
Oil Creek
Smallmouth Bass are again being targeted between Rynd Farm and Oil City.
Walleye anglers have been seen in and around this waterway’s lower reaches.
Trout opener and kids
Here are five (5) kid friendly spots on a handful of Venango County’s Approved Trout Waters…
Justus Lake; Twomile Run County Park—within Oakland Township & Sugarcreek Borough
Oil Creek; Oil Creek State Park to Drake Well along bike trail—within Cornplanter, Cherrytree & Oil Creek Township(s).
East Sandy Creek; SR 322 through Cranberry-Rockland Road (Rails to Trails Bike Path)—in Rockland Twp.
Sandy Creek; Seneca Hills Bible Camp (Old SR 8 @ Pecan)—in Victory Township.
Sugar Creek; SR 427 Bridge through baseball field(s)—in Cooperstown Borough.
Northcentral Region
READY…SET… GO: April 18, 2015 is the day!!! Just 2 more days until trout season officially opens statewide!! The weather for the first day looks perfect. GOOD LUCK to each of you!
The stocking trucks are shipping out the last of the pre-season trout and preparing for in-season stockings. Check out our website for information on in-season trout stocking: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Insert photo: PFBC’s Pleasant Gap hatchery staff preparing trout to load onto the stocking trucks this morning.
Tioga County
Asaph Run
Youth anglers caught trout using red worms and wax worms on Mentored Youth Trout Day, April 11, 2015.
Hamilton Lake
The water was quite muddy on Mentored Youth Trout day; but MYT participants still caught trout using red worms, wax worms, and paste baits.
Hills Creek
Anglers were spotted catching Yellow Perch on minnows and worms.
Elk County
With the harsh winter this year, some waterways might still have ice this coming weekend. When trout were stocked 2 weeks ago, a few lakes still had 14-20 inches of ice (e.g. Twin Lakes had 14 inches and Laurel Run Reservoir in St. Marys, PA had 20 inches). Waterways Conservation Officers are reporting that a few of the “back roads” that are not maintained in the winter may still have ice on them for opening trout day. Proceed with caution when traveling to back country fishing locations this coming weekend.
McKean County
Water temperatures are still low on stocked streams. Most of the water temperatures are at or below 45 F.
Water levels across the county have come down; but more rain is expected on Thursday and Friday this week.
A special THANK YOU goes out to all of the volunteers who have helped stock streams in McKean and Potter Counties this year! It has been challenging with weather and ice conditions this year. WCO Mader sends a sincere thank you to everyone who has helped out, despite the adverse weather conditions!
Centre County
Six Mile Run
Anglers are catching trout using worms.
Ella, Haley, and Liz proudly displaying their “voluntary youth fishing licenses”, caught trout this past weekend during the Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day. Congratulations to each of you!!
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch near the causeway and lower greens area. Minnows are the bait of choice.
Penns Creek
Anglers are catching trout using streamers and nymphs. With the water flows, anglers targeting the banks with streams are doing well. It is slow, but worth the wait! The nymphs are working well in the pocket water areas.
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching trout using small nymphs (blue wing olives, prince, Walt’s worms, scuds, squirmy wormies, and zebra midges). Blue wing olive mayflies are hatching! Evening fishing has been wonderful!
Lycoming County
Pine Creek
The snow melt and recent rain events sent water levels soaring. The water is finally on its way back down to normal levels. They should be just right for opening day this coming weekend.
Southeastern Region
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake
The warm weather over the past week has fish biting on just about everything. Blue gills and crappies are taking mealworms and wax worms, minnows and small jigs.
Bass are beginning to show signs of life after the unusually cold winter and taking jigs, crank and jerk baits. The best rubber worm colors to use are black, purple, dark green and pumpkin seed. The best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers.
French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creeks are all low and clear with decent flows and have been fishing well. Water temps have been hovering in the mid-40s to low 50s. Bait anglers are catching trout with minnows and small wax or mealworms. Fly anglers have reported taking trout on black caddis, stoneflies, and midges. Small pheasant tail and hares ears nymphs are also producing good results for the fly anglers. Remember that you may never have bait in your possession in any of the Special Regulation Areas. The French Creek Fly Fishing Area is catch & release only and you may not possess fish in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only areas until June 15.
S. Chester County
The West Branch of the Brandywine Creek Section 3 was just stocked last week. The stocking points were the Drive at Freedom Circle at 40-00’56.2″ North and 75-50’09.1″ West, the Hatfield Road Bridge at 40-00’54.4″ North and 75-50’38.3″ West , Rim Trail RR Bed Stop #1 at 40-01’02.3″ North and 75-50’42.3″ West, Rim Trail RR Bed Stop #2 at 40-01’13.4″ North and 75-50’49.3″ West, RIM TRAIL BRIDGE at 40-01’18.6″ North and 75-50’50.5″ West, below the Wagontown Road Bridge at 40-01’19.0″ North and 75-50’50.5″ West, above Wagontown Road Bridge at 40-01’19.8″ North and 75-50’51.6″ West, park side RR bed trail (gators used to stock) at 40-01’19.7″ North and 75-50’50.4″ West, The Wall at 40-01’32.0″ North and 75-50’39.5″ West, the old dam and picnic area above old dam (fish stocked both directions on gators) at 40-01’41.2″ North and 75-50’17.9″ West, and downstream of the Cedar Knoll Bridge. Thanks to everyone that took the time to come out to help and to Forest Campbell for coordinating the stocking.
The Beaver Creek Section 2, from SR 30 to the mouth has been stocked with trout. The stocking locations for the Beaver Creek Section 2, are behind the Animal Clinic of Thorndale at 40-00’20.9″ North and 75-44’43.9″ West, King Street and West Pennsylvania Avenue at 40-00’40.1″ North and 75-43’32.4″ West, The Lloyd Avenue Bridge at 40-00’12.1″ North and 75-43’28.8″ West, G O Carlson Blvd. at 40-00’12.3″ North and 75-44’15.1″ West, Lloyd Avenue Park at 40-00’17.6 North and 75-43’25.5 West, Saint Joseph Field at Aston Avenue and Mary Street at 40-00’18.4″ North and 75-43’25.5″ West.
The East Branch Octoraro Creek, Section 2, was just stocked and is a great place to fish. A little off the beaten path between Chester and Lancaster County it does not have much canopy cover, so it is a great place to fly-fish and does have some very nice wide, slow moving water, open areas and deep holes so it is a good spot to take a child with limited ability or to teach a person to fish. It is a little hard sometimes to feel a bite or to get your bait to stay down on the fast water trout streams. To get to the East Branch Octoraro Creek get on Route 41 just above Cochranville you will turn on to Center Hall Road. Follow Center Hall Road to Fording Road and turn right on Fording Road. Follow Fording Road and it will take you to the bridge at the bottom of the stocked section. Go North on Bryson Road from this point and the stream will be on your left. The upstream limit of the stocked section is Steelville Road. The stocking points are the Steelville & Schoff Road Bridge at 39-54’17.8″ North and 75-59’42.8″ West, Bryson Road Stop #1 at 39-53’46.6″ North and 75-59’20.2″ West, Bryson Road Stop #2 at 39-53’39.8″ North and 75-59’13.4″ West, Ross Fording Road Bridge at 39-52’57.3″ North and 75-59’29.7″ West. Thanks to Forest C. for coordinating the stocking and John for all the great help. Good Luck.
Schuylkill County
Locust Lake was still ice covered on the opening day of the Regional Trout Season, but it is now finally clear of ice. Anglers were catching some trout from shore on minnows and wax worms. The fish are still biting tentatively probably due to colder temperatures. The lake is due to be stocked again on April 25 with Brook Trout and Brown Trout.
The Little Schuylkill River has seen a lot of angling pressure throughout the stocked areas. Trout are still being caught on all the common baits, gold spinners, and chartreuse colored lures have worked as well. The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area of the river has seen moderate pressure and has proven to be tougher as the season progresses. As hatches of insects start to come off, expect fly-fishing to increase through this section.
The Schuylkill River is at good water level for canoes and kayaks to travel from Auburn to Port Clinton. A few have floated this section already, just make sure you dress appropriately and wear your life jacket.
Philadelphia County
Luke Lojewski caught this beautiful trout out of the Wissahickon Creek back on the SE Mentored Youth Fishing Day, 3/28.
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