Pennsylvania Fishing Report – November 3, 2022

Northwestern Region

Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear

Mandatory cold weather life jacket wear will begin 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 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.

Erie County

Area Steelhead Tributaries

Steelhead fishing has been excellent in all area streams. Anglers are catching multiple Steelhead on every trip, especially after a recent rain. Anglers are using a variety of lures, including blue and silver spoons, egg sacks, single eggs, paste baits, pink worms, and dark-colored wooly buggers.

Lake Erie

Anglers are catching Yellow Perch in the channel of Lake Erie. The docks are out at Shades Beach and Northeast Marina. The Lake Trout fishing is starting to pick up. Lake Erie can be unpredictable this time of year, so pay close attention to the weather.

Northeastern Region

Bradford County

Mountain Lake

Anglers have been catching trout at Mountain Lake. Trolling chartreuse colored spinners has worked well for some anglers.

Carbon County

The trout-stocked waters in the area have provided some nice fall season fishing opportunities.  Fly and spin anglers have been catching trout on the Pohopoco Creek downstream of the spillway at Beltzville Lake.  The lower section of the Pohopoco recently received a trout stocking by the local sportsmen club.  Pohopoco Creek from the spillway at the lake and downstream to the cable that is across the creek at the Hideaway Hunting & Fishing Club is designated as both a Class A Wild Trout Stream and Stocked Trout Water.  There is no harvest of trout and anglers much catch and immediately release trout from September 6, 2022, through February 19, 2023,

Mauch Chunk Creek, Aquashicola Creek, Buckwa Creek, and the Princess Run (Monroe County) have been popular choices for fall season trout fishing.  Anglers have been catching trout on spinners and stick-baits on the Lehigh River near the East Penn Township boat launch and the Parryville.  Anglers at the Palmerton pool have been catching Smallmouth Bass.  The section of the Lehigh River just downstream of the Mahoning Creek has also provided good opportunities to catch trout and Smallmouth Bass.

The Striped Bass activity has been good in the early morning and evening hours at Beltzville Lake.  Live bait, chicken liver, and bucktail jigs have been the most popular choices.  Anglers have been catching Largemouth Bass near the vicinity of the swimming area and the boat rental.

The regulatory buoys have been removed from Beltzville Lake. Slow-No-Wake regulations on Pine Run Bay, Pohopoco Creek Bay and Wild Creek Bay remain in effect and are enforced, even though the buoys have been removed. Boaters are encouraged to contact Beltzville State Park staff to obtain information on dock removals from the launch areas.

Mauch Chunk Lake has been providing good bass fishing opportunities on different areas of the lake. Anglers have been catching panfish, pickerel, bass, and a few crappies in the fishing pier area at Boat Launch A.  Live minnows and nightcrawlers have been the most popular baits.  Mauch Chunk Lake is under Big Bass Program Special Regulations.  Visit the PA Fishing Summary for more information about these special regulations.

Boaters are reminded about the Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear regulation. Cold water shock is a major factor in boating fatalities.  A life jacket provides buoyancy to help tread water and provides insulation from the cold water.

Columbia and Southern Luzerne Counties

Fall trout stockings have been completed, the Smallmouth Bass activity is heating up, and there are plenty of fishing opportunities in the area.

Briar Creek Lake, Lily Lake, Lake Irena, Lake Took-A-While, Moon Lake, Harvey’s Lake and Harvey’s Creek have been stocked with trout.  All these waterways provide plenty of trout fishing opportunities for Anglers.

Anglers that prefer Smallmouth Bass should fish the Susquehanna River right now.  The bass are preparing for winter and are beginning to feed voraciously.  Don’t overlook some of the smaller creeks in the area that also have plenty of bass.

Francis E. Walter Reservoir is still being drawn down to winter pool water levels and the panfish are schooled up.  Anglers can have very successful outings once they find a school of panfish.

Wayne County

Anglers have been targeting walleye on the Delaware River, Duck Harbor Pond and Long Pond. Walleyes can be a tricky fish to find but are worth the effort since they are a great to eat.  Anglers should review the PA Fishing Summary for information on walleye seasons, sizes, and creel limits.

All seasons, sizes, and creel limits have been lifted at Belmont Lake as of October 29, due to a dam rehabilitation project that will be underway next year. All fishing license requirements are still in place. This waterway has a nice variety of fish and lures of all types would work great. Anglers can take advantage of this opportunity and plan for a future fish fry,

Southeastern Region

Our website will be going through a migration from 11/9-11/22 and region reports may not be updated during that time period.

Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear Reminder:
From November 1st to April 30th, boaters are required to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or ANY canoe or kayak. The regulation is intended to protect boaters from the dangers of cold-water shock if they fall into the water.

North Montgomery and East Berks

Trout are back on the move because of the colder water temperatures. Anglers have been catching trout on dry flies in Manatawny Creek.

Deep Creek Dam and Antietam Reservoir will be stocked with trout in November.

Northern Lancaster

Any boat in Speedwell Forge Lake must display a current registration or Use Permit. Use Permits expire December 31st of the year on the permit.
Overnight mooring is permitted for canoes and kayaks, but they must have a current registration. Use Permits do not have the same privileges for mooring at the lake. The mooring period for boats is from March 1st through November 30th. Boats moored at the lake must be removed from the property before December 1st.