Northwest Region
Butler County
Harbar Acres Lake
This lake was stocked with very nice Brown Trout last week and is another great fishing opportunity. This is the perfect place for families and young children. Easy access and plenty of room to cast your lines! The limit is 3 trout per angler. A trout/salmon permit is required for those who plan to possess trout.
Crawford County
Geneva Swamp
Good pressure from waterfowl hunting.
French Creek
Anglers are reporting the water level is a touch high but should be good Walleye fishing.
Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
The bay has seen the return of Yellow Perch and crappies for the fall but still on the smaller side. Give it a little more time yet. The docks in Marina Lake are now open to fishing for the remainder of the year.
Walnut Creek, Elk Creek, Trout Run, Godfrey Run, Crooked Creek, & Lake Erie
The lower stretches of Walnut, Elk, & Crooked Creeks anglers are having good success with Steelhead. When lake conditions allow shoreline fishing, anglers at the creek mouths at Trout & Godfrey Runs are also doing well on Steelhead. Boat anglers are also working the shallow waters on Lake Erie around the tributary mouths and have sporadic success. With the recent rain events, Steelhead are on the move up stream in most tributaries. The most common violations occurring at Walnut Creek Access Area have been snagging and littering. Additional violations being charged have also been using illegal devices to net fish and also the unlawful purchase of steelhead from undercover officers. Three suspects were apprehended at Trout Run Nursery Waters for the unlawful taking of Steelhead. The suspects netted eight Steelhead using two landing nets. Total fines and costs levied against the suspects were in excess of fourteen hundred dollars each.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are reporting low fishing pressure.
Shenango Reservoir
Fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler temperatures. Water levels are slowly declining due to the winter draw down. This will be the last chance to enjoy the fall foliage before they are all gone around the lake. During this time of year boaters need to be cognizance that they must share the lake with anglers and hunters alike. Remember your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 9-1-1.
Shenango River
The Shenango Outflow down to the Walnut Street Bridge was stocked with trout in early October. A reminder that this area is designated as a year round trout fishery, so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish that area regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting. Plenty of fishing opportunities are still available. The creel limit for trout this time of year is 3 fish.
Don’t forget that mandatory Personal Flotation Device wear is in effect starting November 01 through April 30th. Boats under 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks will be affected by this.
Northeast Region
Southern Luzerne and Southern Columbia Counties
With fall hunting seasons in full swing, most people have shifted their focus from fishing to hunting. However, there is plenty of fishing opportunity available with Lily Lake and Lake Irena receiving trout stockings the first week of October. There has been little pressure on both waterways so the opportunity for some great trout fishing exists on the two waterways, as well as the DHALO section of Nescopeck Creek. In addition to some of the year’s most remarkable fishing, it is also the most scenic time to be out on the water.
Anglers fishing the Susquehanna River are reporting success with Smallmouth Bass and some walleye. Soft plastics seem to be the go to baits, as well as jigs tipped with leeches and hellgrammites. Boaters are reminded; the mandatory wear of life jackets period has now begun. Anyone in a boat less than 16 feet in length, and ALL persons in ANY length canoe or kayak, is required to wear a USCG Approved life jacket when on the water, through April 30.
Wyoming County
This is a great time to be fishing in Wyoming County. The Susquehanna River is in great shape, as well as lakes in the area. There have been fewer than average anglers through the month of October, despite the great weather. Those who did fish reported great success both in terms of numbers of fish and size. Forecasts for this week are calling for good weather. It’s a great time to fish.
Local stream levels are running average across the region for this time of the year, so you may find you favorite streams low and clear. This can make fishing more difficult but with stealth and a light touch you can find trout very aggressive as they spawn and get their feed bags on for the upcoming winter. Make sure when fishing to be careful and watch your step for Brook and Brown Trout redds. Disturbing their spawning by targeting fish over redds or stepping in them can have a negative effect on your favorite stream. Taking a camera this time of year can yield some great photos of trout naturally reproducing and creating the trout you will be catching over the next few years!
Fishing Creek
Northcentral Region
REMINDER(s):
• Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement started November 1, 2015 for all anglers, boaters, and hunters who use boats.
• Trout Spawning: Fall is the time when trout begin to spawn. Keep an eye out for areas in the stream that look like the gravel has been cleaned off. Those are usually areas that are now trout nests, called redds, where the next generation of trout are beginning their life. Avoid stepping on these areas.
Just because it is fall, doesn’t mean fish stop eating! There are still lots of great fishing opportunities in PA, so get out and enjoy it!
Insert photo (s): Fall fishing is very rewarding! Colors are everywhere and quality fish are searching for food.
Cameron County
The county has received rain over the last few weeks. Water levels are on the way back down and in great condition for fishing this week. There are still lots of trout to catch throughout the county!
Centre County
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymph patterns throughout the day. Streamers are working best in the early morning and late evening. Light weight/unweighted nymphs (pheasant tails; bird of prey caddis; zebra midges) are working well.
Updated water flows and temperatures can be found below:
Upper Spring Creek at Houserville, PA
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water levels are still a little below normal, but much better thanks to the rain events over the weekend. Anglers are catching trout using streamers and a variety of nymphs. Caddis larvae patterns have been working well in addition to small olive streamer patterns. Zebra midges, beadhead pheasant tails and sculpin patters (2-10) are working well.
Southeastern Region
Berks County
Local anglers of Lake Ontelaunee in Berks County are reporting great success catching pan fish out of the Rte. 73 Quarry Hole. With the temperatures dipping and the shorter days, try fishing first thing in the morning. Try plastic grubs on jig heads worked deep in the Quarry Hole to entice panfish out of the depths. Good luck and happy fishing!
Schuylkill County
Little Schuylkill River
The Little Schuylkill River near Tamaqua has been exceptional for trout on spinners, meal worms, and minnows throughout the stream. The water levels are higher than normal for this time of year, but that has helped anglers. The Delayed Harvest section of the river near New Ringgold still holds trout as well, but they are a bit pickier there. Wooly Buggers have done well through October in that section.
Tuscarora Lake
Tuscarora Lake has plenty of trout left over from the October stocking. Spinners have been working well, especially when trolled slowly from a boat. Yellow Perch and Pickerel are being caught with minnows, and an occasional walleye will show up from time to time.
Locust Lake
Locust Lake has little angling pressure. Some trout are being caught from shore and the Yellow Perch and bass fishing can be excellent this time of year. Locust Lake will be stocked with trout again December 15.
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