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.
Crawford County
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are catching crappie at the north end of the lake.
Woodcock Creek Lake
The lake is returning to summer pool. Anglers are catching panfish, Walleye and Muskellunge.
Canadohta Lake
Anglers are catching Muskellunge, Walleye and panfish.
Sugar Lake
Anglers are catching panfish, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin and Largemouth Bass.
Tamarack Lake
The lake is open to hunters, boaters, and anglers. Remember to have all required safety equipment and proper registration if going out on a boat, canoe, or kayak. A reminder to anglers that the lake is still listed as catch and release only.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Fishing is heating up on Pymatuning Reservoir. Anglers are catching crappie and Yellow Perch in the northern bays. Anglers are catching Walleye by jigging at the Spillway and Causeway. Anglers are finding success wading in the early mornings and late evenings casting stickbaits. Reminder that all foul hooked fish must be returned to the waters immediately unharmed.
Erie County
Area Steelhead Streams
Fishing in Western Erie County remains steady. Steelhead anglers are still doing well in the chutes and the falls on Walnut Creek. Upper Elk Creek is still holding good numbers of Steelhead. Elk Creek, Crooked Creek, and the Fairview Gravel Pits are stocked with trout, as well, and will get one more in-season stocking.
Northeastern Region
A Boater Safety Education Course is scheduled at Beltzville State Park on Sunday, May 8th. A Boating Safety Education Course is required by all persons 12 years of age or older to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) and persons born on or after January 01, 1982, to operate a motorboat equipped with a motor greater than 25 horsepower. Persons wishing to attend the course are requested to contact the Beltzville State Park Office at 610-377-0045 to pre-register for the course. Classroom space is limited and usually these classes fill very quickly.
Carbon County
Although most of the stocked trout streams in the district received a good amount of fishing pressure on the opening day, most anglers were faced with a slow start due to the cold weather, higher than normal stream flows and murky waters. As the weather temperatures became warmer in the afternoon, anglers were more successful catching trout. Most anglers were using minnow, waxworms, gold spinners and soft plastic yellow or green tube baits. Several trout were also caught using bread and white paste baits. As the second day of the season arrived, most streams were receiving a little less fishing pressure due to the cold and rainy weather. All stocked trout waters still hold a good number of trout.
The in-season trout stockings in the district began on April 4th. Persons wishing to assist with the trout stockings are encouraged to view the listing of the trout stocking schedule listing the date, time, and place to meet to assist stocking their favorite streams. An up-to-date trout stocking schedule can be found here: PFBC Trout Stocking (pa.gov)
Anglers had reported doing well catching Striped Bass at Beltzville Lake near the vicinity of the Trachsville bridge in recent weeks. Panfish action was also good near the Preachers Camp access and the Pine Run Cove.
Anglers are reminded that the bass season will close beginning April 9th through June 10th.
Although the regulatory buoys, Slow No Wake, Water Ski area at Beltzville Lake had been removed from the lake for the winter, the regulations pertaining to Slow No Wake, etc. are still in effect and enforced.
Northern Carbon and Southern Monroe Counties
Anglers fishing the McMichael Creek have been reporting success for Rainbow and Brown trout using spinners, salmon eggs, and minnows. One angler caught a 22-inch Brook Trout by slow drifting a fathead near Katz Road in Stroudsburg. Anglers fishing the Brodhead Creek have been seeing success catching trout on spinners, paste baits, and worms.
Hickory Run, Hickory Run Lake, and Sand Spring Run have been producing nice Brook and Brown trout using a variety of baits.
Anglers are reminded that Hickory Run sections 4 and 5 is a special regulations stream designated as Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only. Anglers are also reminded that Mud Run section 2 and McMichael Creek section 5 are both designated as Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only.
Northcentral Region
Cameron and Clinton Counties
Medix Run
Anglers are currently having success using wax worms in some of the deeper pockets and holes found along the stream. The stocked Trout in the stream are holding over very well! This is a great time to get out and enjoy this waterway and the great fishing opportunities.
Wykoff Run
There are currently some very nice Trout to target in this stream! Anglers are currently having success using Parachute Adams Dry Flies and other variations that are darker in color. The stream was recently stocked from top to bottom with very healthy fish.
Fishing Creek
The caddis hatch is currently exceptional on Fishing Creek. Fish are rising as well as eating nymphs. Consider using dry flies when you see fish actively rising. Most of the feeding is occurring beneath the surface. Blue winged olives and hendrickson’s are also presently hatching. Currently, flows are above average but still good for fishing; the water temperature is in the low-to-mid 40’s. Look for the flows to increase over the next few days with the current forecast. Hot patterns include stonefly and caddisfly larvae imitations. Egg patterns will also produce fish right now.
Southeastern Region
Southern Bucks County
The trout season has started, and the Striper run has also started! Larger Stripers are being seen down in the airport area, but the schoolies are being caught up at Neshaminy State Park as well.
Please remember to use inline circle hooks when using bait in all tidal areas of the Delaware River and estuaries regardless of what you may be fishing for. Also, a saltwater registry is required when fishing for striped bass.
As a continued reminder, mandatory cold weather personal flotation device wear remains in effect until April 30th. However, it is always recommended to wear your personal flotation device.
Visit our site at http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafety/Pages/default.aspx for more details.
As trout anglers enjoy the season, they should take care of the lands where they fish. Please carry-out any trash, bait containers, monofilament, hook packages, etc. Additionally, the privilege to camp and have a campfire on private property is not an inherent rite of tradition; rather it can only be lawfully done with the landowner’s consent. Refer to page 9 of the 2022 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (2nd Column – bottom) for additional property regulations. Approximately 75% of lands that are trout stocked in the Commonwealth are privately owned. It is up to anglers to help keep these lands open to fishing access.
Anglers should be careful where they are parking their vehicles, so as not to block the ingress or egress of the landowner, damage the property turf, or create a traffic hazard.
Watershed Associations, Sportsman’s Groups, student, and civic groups are encouraged to coordinate a stream/stream-side clean-up at season’s end by contacting Officer Schmidt at jeschmidt@pa.gov
As a courtesy reminder, parents with children are required to maintain separate fishing creels from their children [refer to page 9 of the 2022 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws.
Refer also to the section entitled Assistance To Children on page 8.
Fishing Derbies:
Sportsmen’s Group and civic groups who are planning to host youth fishing derbies are reminded that per PA Title 30 Fish and Boat Code 2102 (b) 63.40, a Special Activity Permit is required. The permit application can be downloaded from the website; there is no attached fee for permit submission and approval. The permit shall be applied for at least 60 days before the date of the event. As defined by Title 30, a Fishing Derby is: an organized event involving 10 or more participants conducted for children under the age of 16, senior events (as defined in section 2701 in the code relating to definitions), anglers with disabilities, special populations or other group when the principal purpose is education or enjoyment rather than competition among anglers.
Reporting Violations:
Illegal fishing activity can be reported to Southeast Region Headquarters in Elm at 626-0228, Monday – Friday [ 8-4] or at all other times to the non-emergency number of Countywide Communications at 664-1180. Be certain to inform the Dispatcher that it is a Fishing Violation and request that it be routed to Officer Schmidt.
District Officer Schmidt continues to promote float stocking in Southern Lancaster County to spread the trout out across the stocked section. Trout can be spread through the length of the stream, as individuals donned in waders, intermittently net out the fish using catch and release nets. Schmidt continues to seek out Sportsmen’s organizations to adopt a stream for float stocking purposes. Float stocking is dependent on seasonal flows as water conditions allow. It is also important that there are no water hazards in the stretch to be float stocked. Float stocking is also dependent on volunteers willing to give their time to wade the stream and spread out the trout.
Trout anglers can enjoy a day of catching fish thanks to the volunteers that float stock and carry buckets to get the fish into our waterways.
For more on Float Stocking information visit lancasteronline.com.
Float Stocked Sections of Stocked Trout Waters |
|
| Stocked Trout Water | Section |
| Big Beaver Creek 3/11 | Downstream from 20 Main St. New Providence to Downstream of Herr & Leaman Downstream from Concrete Bridge at Near Old Rd. & Beaver Valley Pike Downstream from Krantz Mill Rd. Bridge Downstream from 92 Refton Road Downstream from 66 Smithville Rd. to Smithville Rd. Bridge. |
| Conowingo Creek 3/21 | Downstream from Black Bear Road Downstream from Swift & Pilgrims Pathway Downstream from Goshen Mill Road Bridge Downstream from 2108 Robert Fulton Hwy. Downstream from Goat Hill Road Bridge |
| Little Beaver Creek 3/11 | Downstream from Upper Little Beaver Road Bridge through Woods to Little Beaver Road Bridge Downstream from 302 Hilltop Road To Childrens Clinic At Bunker Hill Rd. |
| Meetinghouse Creek 3/14 | Downstream from The Bridge At Quarry Road/SR 372 |
| W. Br. Little Conestoga 3/14 | Downstream from L.A.S.A. Pumping Station to Letort Road Bridge Downstream from Letort Road to near Owl Bridge Rd. |
| *W. Br. Octoraro Creek Sect. #2 3/18 | Downstream from Mt. Pleasant Rd. Covered Bridge – Downstream from Herr Farm *Downstream from Former Pa American Water Co. Pumping Station to Black Rock Rd. |
| W. Br. Octoraro Creek Sect.#3 Fly Fishing Only 3/18 | Downstream from SR 472 Bridge – Downstream from Confluence W/Stewart Run – Downstream from Street Road To near Lower Limit |
| W. Br. Octoraro Creek Sect. #4 3/18 | Downstream from 702 Wesley Road To 785 Wesley Road (Walk-In Only) |
West Branch Octoraro Creek
Anglers seeking a solitary outing are directed to trek into this creek via Pumping Station Road and work their way downstream to Black Rock Road.
When local anglers express that they opt to not take advantage of local trout fishing opportunities stating emphatically that it is too crowded they are misinformed, in that considerable float stocking is accomplished throughout Southern Lancaster County’s 9 Stocked Trout Waters. Even on the Opening Day for the angler who is willing to park and walk you can be directed to water where you can enjoy a solitary fishing experience.
The West Branch of the Octoraro Creek at Pumping Station Road (where it flows on lands formerly belonging to the PA American Water Company) was float stocked downstream of the Run-of-the River Dam on Friday 3/18. This is an arduous float as the 2 man/2 float barrel crew began the stocking of fish 200 yards downstream of the Run-of-the River Dam towards Black Rock. It is anticipated that it will be float stocked in-season on Friday, April 22nd, with coordination of a volunteer float stocking team. Anglers should be aware of the safety signage in place at the dam and comply accordingly. Anglers observed to be wade fishing within 50 feet of the dam, or on the dam itself, are subject to being cited.
Muddy Run Lake
Anglers who choose to cast a line from a boat on Muddy Run Lake are reminded that mandatory PFD Wear regulations remain in effect until April 30th. Water temperatures could currently lead to a sudden cold water-immersion event eventually resulting in hypothermia. Refer to 2022 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws- page 19.
Posted Property Advisories
The Little Beaver Creek is posted to restrict Sunday Fishing. This lawful restriction will be enforced under the provisions of section 2104 of the Code.
The section of Big Beaver Creek that flows via riparian lands at 1930 Beaver Valley Pike will no longer be stocked. At the Lower Limit, the property at 153 Smithville Road remains posted.
The property at 95 Hollow Road, Quarryville remains posted. The riparian land bordering the West Branch Octorado Creek near to the new Pumping Station Road Bridge at the parking pull-off has been posted.
Anglers are advised that the Stewart Run property downstream of Naomi’s Bridge remains posted.
On Monday, March 21st, significant sections of the Conowingo Creek were float-stocked as noted in the chart above.
Below: The float barrel receives trout prior to the downstream stocking at the Goshen Mill Road Bridge.