Pennsylvania Fishing Report – January 14, 2021

Northwest Region

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REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2020 and runs through April 30, 2021 for anyone on boats less than 16 feet and in all canoes and kayaks.  Learn more here…
 

Erie County

Area Steelhead Streams

Steelhead continue to push upstream when conditions allow. Anglers are catching Steelhead throughout all the tributary streams using minnows, sucker spawn, and natural colored wooly buggers when fishing low water conditions. Egg sacks and flashy egg patterns are popular when the water is stained or muddy.

Forest County

Allegheny River

Anglers are catching Walleye and Northern Pike in the Tionesta Sand and Gravel Pool, from a boat and shore. The Tionesta Sand and Gravel Launch is private property open to fishing and boating, so please respect the landowner and adhere to posted signage.

Tionesta Outflow

Anglers are catching Walleye and crappie from the wall and the campground side of the Outflow. Anglers are reminded that they must have a valid Trout and Salmon Permit to fish in the Tionesta Outflow.

East Hickory Creek DHALO

Anglers have traditionally done well using streamers and nymphs with split shot. A valid Trout and Salmon Permit is always required to fish in the Delayed Harvest Area.

Warren County

Allegheny Reservoir

Anglers are catching Walleye and Sauger toward the New York line off boats. Some anglers have had luck fishing off the shore at Webbs Ferry Boat Launch. Anglers are catching Muskellunge and Northern Pike while trolling the various bays.

Allegheny River

The water level has increased, and anglers are catching Walleye using live bait and stickbaits at the outflow. Anglers are catching Walleye and Smallmouth Bass using waders or a boat behind the refinery. Anglers are catching Muskellunge and Northern Pike using large live bait off Point Park and above Starbrick Boat Launch.

Chapman Dam Reservoir

The fish population in the reservoir is still recovering from the drawdown. The reservoir is under a special regulation making it unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish except trout. Adult Rainbow and Brown Trout were stocked in the beginning of December. All fish caught other than trout must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. Reminder to all that all canoes and kayaks operated on the reservoir must display an official Launch Permit from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Launch permits can be purchased at the park office or online via fishandboat.com.

Northeastern Region

Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness.  Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. Use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall through the ice. Remember – SAFETY FIRST:  https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx

Wyoming County; Southwest Susquehanna; Newton &Ransom Township Lackawanna County

Susquehanna River

The Susquehanna River conditions are decent for walleye fishermen looking to get out and cast a line. The river remains high and stained but has dropped enough to allow walleye anglers to catch a few nice sized fish. The most productive presentations have been plastic swimbaits or grubs on a jig head, fished slowly. A Tunkhannock area musky fisherman has been putting in many long fishing days and was rewarded and able to start 2021 off with a 40” Musky.

Fords Lake

Lastly, a few brave ice fishermen were able to get out onto Fords Lake last weekend and had some success catching bluegills on live bait. Anglers are reminded to take every precaution possible when venturing onto ice to determine thickness and when fishing.

Western Bradford and Sullivan County

Stephen Foster Lake

Stephen Foster Lake, at Mt. Pisgah State Park, finally has some hard water fishing opportunities. Anglers are reporting a light bite on jigs topped off with a wax worm. Anglers using minnows said the bite was slow.

Northcentral Region

Ice fishing season is here!.  Check out PA Fish and Boat Commission’s Ice/Winter Fishing Page for Ice Safety tips, Ice Fishing tips and more!

Clearfield County

Shagger’s Inn Pond

Low overnight temps have given many anglers an opportunity to enjoy some time on the ice. Those who have made it out have are reporting a lot of success on both Panfish and Trout. Small tungsten jigs tipped with maggots are producing most of the action. Many anglers are catching good numbers of trout currently. Use caution when travelling the forests roads as ice and snow may be an issue.

West Branch of the Susquehanna

Anglers are reporting a fair number of Walleye being taken over the last several days. Artificial lures and natural bait are both working well at this time. Try a slow retrieve while adding a twitch every so often if you are using stick baits. Be mindful of your surroundings as the West Branch is currently running at high flows.

Centre County

Black Moshannon Lake

All areas of Black Moshannon Lake are ice covered varying in thickness. Anglers have been successful in the past week catching Sunfish, Crappies, Perch jigging with waxworms / maggots in weedy areas at 4-6′ of water. Additionally, Bass and Pickerel are being caught on tip-ups with minnows.

Sayers Lake

Anglers have been fishing Sayers lake in the area of East/ West launch cove over the past several days. Ice thickness varies in this area. Anglers have been reporting success on crappies, sunfish and perch on jigging rods using small jigs tipped with maggots just off the bottom. Additionally, some Bass, Perch, and Crappies are being reported on tip- ups with minnows. Most success is occurring in the early morning hours and the hour prior to sunset.