Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Oneida/Thorn Run Reservoir
These waterways offer good opportunities for Channel Catfish, Carp and panfish. Cast out to the creek channel in the middle of these lakes using a night crawler for catfish and big Largemouth Bass. Reminder: Special property regulations apply to these impoundments. Please review the regulation posters before engaging in fishing activities.
Glades Lake (SGL 95)
Outstanding numbers of Channel Catfish are being caught using chicken livers off of the bottom. Anglers are reporting catching catfish 24” or longer. Anglers are reporting catching catfish both in the day and night.
Lake Arthur
Hybrid Striped Bass are active in the shallows. Most boat launch areas are productive between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Alewife or shiny stick baits are good offerings. Limit is 2 per day with 20-inch minimum size limit.
Crawford County
Conneaut Lake
As of 5/31/2015 Conneaut Lake is extremely high. Boaters please be aware of your wakes from your boats because there are plenty of houses surrounded by water. Also, there are lots of docks with some damage due to the high water.
Lawrence County
Cascade Quarry
Trout are still being caught. Go deep! Try using putty bait off of the bottom.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
There are large crappies being caught on a regular basis. Anglers are reporting Walleye being caught. The PA Fish and Boat Commission is getting a good angler response to the stocking program developed for the lake five years ago. Most anglers are considering it a job well done. The lake once deemed the dead sea is now alive and only will be getting better.
Shenango Reservoir
Panfish are continuing to be caught around the reservoir. With the variable weather conditions, the catches are still slow and sporadic. If venturing out for the first time, make sure you check your equipment. As of March 31, 2015 boat registrations are EXPIRED. Remember your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 9-1-1.
Shenango River
The water levels are perfect in the river. There are still plenty of stocked trout in the outflow. This area is designated as a year round trout fishery, so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish the area from the outflow to the Walnut Street Bridge regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting.
Other parts of the County
The other Approved Trout Waters have been stocked and restocked. Little Shenango did not receive its last stocking. The water temperature was too warm.
Northeast Region
Carbon County
Although it has been a few weeks since the last in-season trout stockings have occurred on the district’s approved trout waters, both fly and bait anglers have been reporting seeing and catching a good number of trout left from the in-season stockings on the Buckwa Creek, Aquashicola Creek, Mahoning Creek, Lizard Creek and the Pohopoco Creek. Anglers also fishing the Mauch Chunk Creek are still reporting catching trout from previous stockings.
Anglers fishing the Lehigh River during the weekend near the Bowmanstown area were observed catching nice size brown and rainbow trout with some measuring between 16” to 20”. This section of river received a trout stocking by a local sportsmen organization for a recently held fishing contest. Although the stocked section of the river received a good amount of fishing pressure on the day of the local fishing event, only a few successful anglers were observed. Stick baits appeared to work the best on the river. Anglers fishing the slower moving pools of the river during the evening have reported doing well catching catfish and eels.
Most of the local streams including the Lehigh River have been flowing higher due to recent rain fall events.
Both boat and shore anglers have reported good success catching crappie, bluegill, pickerel and bass (catch & release only) at Mauch Chunk Lake. Most crappie action has been occurring off of boat launch A of the lake. A small jig tip with a worm or minnow have appeared to work best for crappie action at the lake.
Anglers have reported doing well catching striped bass and walleye at Beltzville Lake during the early morning or evening hours. Chicken liver appears to work well for catching striped bass. Stick baits or a jig tipped with a live minnow have been effective for catching walleyes. Bass action (catch & release only) appeared to be good in the upper reaches of the lake near Preachers Camp.
Boat activity has been increasing on Beltzville Lake during the weekends. Boaters are reminded that Beltzville Lake has special regulation areas pertaining to the water ski area, slow no wake areas. Maps are posted at each boat launch indicating the special regulation areas. Boaters should consult the maps & postings at the launch areas. Violations of the designated water ski zone, slow no wake areas are strictly enforced.
Both Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake prohibit the possession and or consumption of alcoholic beverages on both the shore and out on the water.
Southern Luzerne and Southern Columbia Counties
Fishing pressure on local trout streams has been almost non-existent for the last few weeks. It is a shame, since there are still plenty of trout to be had. Those wishing to try their luck would be wise to do so early or later in the day.
Walleye fishing on the Susquehanna River is going strong; the best lures seem to be leadhead jigs, tipped with a leech, or rubber twister tail. Anglers fishing at night are also having success with catfish.
Nuangola Lake yielded some very nice perch and panfish over the weekend and so did Lily Lake.
Anglers are reminded that Bass Season opens June 13th.
Boaters are again reminded of the laws regarding Boating Under The Influence, enforcement efforts are in full swing across the district, and there is a zero tolerance for BUI.
For those interested in learning how to fish, check out the GoneFishingPa.com for information and to register for one of the agency’s Family Fishing Clinics.
Northern Wayne County
The trout streams are at good levels and with unseasonably cool temperatures the trout are very active. Fly fishermen on the West Branch Delaware are having a lot of success. Crappie fishermen are doing well at Prompton Dam and Miller Pond using small live bait and jigs. Fishermen are reporting catches of walleye on the Delaware River using leeches, worms and lampers. Pickerel are active at most lakes, they are hitting just about anything anglers are offering.
Northcentral Region
Centre County
Anglers are catching trout during the early morning – mid morning hours using a variety of nymphs, with the most successful being the “green weenie” pattern. Anglers are also catching trout in the late evening hours on caddis and sulphur dry flies.
Penns Creek
The sulfurs are still lingering; smaller sizes work best, size 16-18. Occasional green drake showing up, especially in the lower reaches. Projection is for peak to fall late next week. Anglers are catching trout using green drake nymphs and green weenie patterns throughout the day. Anglers are also catching trout in the late evening into the night using green drake duns and spinners.
Sayers Lake
Fishing activity has slowed a bit over the past week. The crappie spawning period is coming to an end, with most crappies moving back into the deeper water . Anglers are still catching some fish at the access areas. Bluegill activity in the shallow areas has increased, with success coming from using redworms under a bobber. Additionally, some bass and catfish have also been reported in the evening hours.
Boating activity has been moderate over the past week. All boat access areas are open for use. Boaters are reminded to pay attention to the Slow No Wake Areas under the causeway, marina cove, and Hunter Run Cut area.
Black Moshannon Lake
Anglers are catching bluegills in the boat access areas. Target weed beds using minnows or redworms. Additionally, bass have also been reported on spinners and rubberworms.
Moderate unpowered boat activity has been observed over the past week.
Black Moshannon Creek / Bald Eagle Creek / Spring Creek
Anglers have been successful catching trout on a variety of lures and flies. Target areas with deeper holes.
MClinton County
Fishing Creek
Anglers are catching trout using green weenie nymphs during early morning hours, and a variety of other nymphs throughout the day. Anglers are also catching trout in the late evening nighttime hours on caddis, Sulphur, and green drake dry flies.
Nate Shervinskie caught this beautiful Fishing Creek Brown Trout on a stonefly nymph. Way to go, Nate! (photo taken by Caleb Shervinskie)
Caleb Shervinskie caught another gorgeous Fishing Creek Brown Trout, also on a stonefly nymph. Nice catch, Caleb! (photo taken by Nate Shervinskie)
PHOTO #2 Caption: Caleb Shervinskie caught another gorgeous Fishing Creek Brown Trout, also on a stonefly nymph. Nice catch, Caleb! (photo taken by Nate Shervinskie)
McKean County
A big thank you to all who helped with the trout stocking this past season! We started back in March battling snow and ice, confronted wind and rain, and finished in the heat of May! Many, many thanks to all who braved the elements over the last three months to come out and help! We truly could not have accomplished what we did, without the volunteer effort of so many people! Again, our sincere thanks!!
Tioga County
Up on Cowanesque Lake, Dustin Smith was able to reel in this nice Tiger Muskie, which he caught on a spinner. Good Job, Dustin!
Boating: We continue to spot paddlers who do not have a life jacket and a sounding-device (whistle) on board their kayaks. While mandatory to wear the life jacket from November 1 to April 30, boating regulations clearly state that “all boats must have a USCG-approved wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) life jacket on board for each person” at all other times. In addition, children 12 years of age and younger on Commonwealth waters when underway in any boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks, as well as on Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes (only), everyone in boats under 16 feet and in all canoes and kayaks MUST wear their life jackets year-round.
June is National Great Outdoors Month, and National Fishing and Boating Week is celebrated from June 6-June 14, 2015. TakeMeFishing’s National Fishing & Boating Week celebrates the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing people’s quality of life and preserving our country’s natural beauty. For more information, visit www.takemefishing.org/nfbw/.
Southeastern Region
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission not only oversees the protection of fish in PA, but we are also responsible for the protection of reptiles & amphibians. Snapping turtles are on the move in the Southeastern part of the state this week nesting. Here is some information for people encountering these moms-to-be.
During May and June, snapping turtles leave the lakes, rivers and wetlands and go onto land in search of suitable locations to lay their eggs. Railroad grades, roadsides, sand traps at golf courses, and mulched flower beds are all places where nesting may occur. Successful sites will be in full or almost-full sunlight and the soil media is usually dark to absorb the heat needed for proper incubation. Female snapping turtles often move on rainy nights and may still be found nesting during the early morning hours. When they are finished with egg-laying, they will leave to return to the water. Thus, if a turtle is encountered in the garden it will no doubt leave on its own within a few hours. If left alone, they will finish egg-laying more quickly than if bothered. It is not advisable to attempt to remove such a turtle as they may become agitated if they are interrupted or threatened.
After the eggs are laid, the female does not return to the nest. Many nests (3 out of 4) are preyed upon by foxes, raccoons, and skunks soon after the eggs are laid. Incubation takes between 60 and 90 days depending on the air and soil temperatures. The hatchlings typically emerge from the nest between mid-August and mid-September and head towards water. Under Fish and Boat Commission regulations, it is unlawful to disturb the nest or eggs of a reptile. Moving eggs after they have been deposited in the nest can prevent the eggs from hatching.
N. Chester County
French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creek
Both have been very low and the fishing pressure has been very light as of the submission of this report before the rain storms this week. However, there were some anglers who took advantage of the low conditions and caught some nice trout. Water temps were around the 68 degree mark.
Spin anglers have been doing fair with spinners. A few are having great success with small crank baits. Bait anglers are doing equally well with minnows, small wax and 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.
Marsh Creek
Large Yellow Perch have been caught on meal and wax worms. Bluegills and crappies are being caught on similar baits as well. Bass are taking jigs, spinners and crankbaits. They are also being taken on large black, purple, dark green and pumpkin seed rubber worms. Best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers. The bass are on redds now and it is unlawful to target them there.
E. Philadelphia County
As of June 1, the new limit for Striped Bass is one (1) fish 28 inches or OVER. There are still Striped Bass being caught all along the Delaware River from the Navy Yard to Bucks Co. The complete Delaware River regulations are here for PA side: http://www.fishinpa.com/
E. Schuylkill County
The Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River currently has plenty of water for kayaks and canoes. The section of river from Auburn to Port Clinton has seen some heavy activity with people floating through and a few anglers. Smallmouth Bass are starting to be caught with spinners, worms, and jigs.
The Little Schuylkill
The Little Schuylkill had been running extremely low but due to recent rainfall is up and moving fast. Trout fishing has been good on the river lately with little pressure and plenty of fish left to be caught. Meal worms and small jerkbaits have been doing well recently.
Tuscarora Lake
Tuscarora Lake continues to be very good for crappie and Bluegill right now. Small jigs and minnows have been working for the crappies in the evenings near submerged trees. Bluegills are hitting throughout the lake with wax worms being the hot bait. A few trout, pickerel and bass are also being caught.
Locust Lake
Locust Lake continues to give up trout to boaters trolling the deeper sections of the lake and Bluegills and Chain Pickerel near the shorelines. Boat traffic has been moderate with mostly kayakers on the lake.
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