Pennsylvania Fishing Report – October 27, 2022

Northwest Region

Purchase your 2022 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses!

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.

Venango County

East Sandy Creek, Mill Creek (Rockland Township), and Pithole Creek

At this time of year, each of these streams start to receive runs of Brown Trout, predominantly in the lower stretches, as the trout make their way upstream from the Allegheny River. Anglers should wait for stained, but receding, water conditions. A great bait of choice is red worms with just a bit of split shot.

Oil Creek

The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures/Keystone Select waters received their fall stocking on October 3, 2022.

Northeastern Region

Boaters must wear a life jacket on boat less than 16 feet in length and on any canoe, kayak, or paddleboard from November 1 to April 30.

Eastern Bradford and Northern Susquehanna Counties

Fishing is at its best on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. Smallmouth Bass have been biting on a variety of baits, jigs, and topwater lures. The bass and walleye will continue to bite over the next couple of months.  Get out and enjoy some action.

The fishing action on Quaker Lake and other small impoundments in the area has also been good.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has implemented a reduced fishing license cost for the remainder of the year. It is not too late to enjoy the various fishing opportunities that our state has to offer.

Southern Luzerne and Columbia Counties

There has been no shortage of fishing opportunities given the fall trout stockings in the area.  Briar Creek Lake, Lily Lake, and Lake Irena have all been stocked.  Anglers are having success. Trout have been caught on a variety of lures and baits, including paste baits and delicate dry flies.

Francis E. Walter Reservoir is in the process of a draw down to winter pool depths.  Fish have congregated because of the lower water levels.  Anglers are catching crappie near the point on grubs and fathead jig combinations.

Anglers are catching trout on the Lehigh River.  It’s a beautiful time of year to be out.  The best baits have been eggs and minnows.  Fly anglers have had success with nymphs and wet flies.  Many trout have also been caught on small inline spinners.  The trout fishing success and same tactics have applied to Fishing Creek.

Anglers on the Susquehanna River have been catching Smallmouth Bass.  Soft plastics and live bait have worked best.

Unpowered boats moored at Lily Lake and Briar Creek Lake must be removed from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission property by December 1^st.

Southern Monroe and Northeast Carbon Counties

Section 3 of the Brodhead Creek and Section 6 of the Bushkill Creek have recently been stocked with their fall allocations of trout. Trout stocking schedules can be found at PFBC Trout Stocking (pa.gov).

Sullivan and Western Bradford Counties

The bass activity has increased because of the cooler water temperatures. Tube baits on a light jig head bounced along the bottom are producing nice fish. Match the tube bait to the color of the water and select a bright colored jig head.

Wyoming and Southwestern Susquehanna Counties

The best fishing in the area is on the Susquehanna River between Falls and Laceyville. The water has been clear, and the Smallmouth Bass have been biting. Most bass have been between 12 and 14 inches. Fish up to 19 inches have been caught. Walleyes are also starting to show up in smaller numbers. The river levels are favorable for a variety of boaters to get out and fish or to simply paddle a canoe or kayak and enjoy the scenery. Some of the best baits have been plastic jigs, crankbaits, and jerk baits. Other places to consider for fall fishing include Oxbow Lake, Stevens Lake, and Lake Carey. Good numbers of panfish have been caught out of these waterways. The best bait has been live minnows.

Southeastern Region

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website will be going through a migration from 11/9 to 1/22, and due to that migration, region reports may not be updated during that time.

Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket 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.

Lancaster County

The Muddy Run Recreational Lake will be stocked with trout on Friday, October 28. Anglers are reminded that Extended Season regulations apply. Visit the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary for more information about Extended Season regulations.

Muddy Run Lake is the area’s only trout stocked lake and remains an underutilized fishery. Anglers should consider a fishing excursion to this waterway. Muddy Run Lake is under Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing regulations. Visit the Pennsylvania Summary for more information about the regulations on this waterway.

East Schuylkill County

Trout have been stocked at Tuscarora Lake. The fish were healthy and active. It’s a great time to get out and fish as the nights are cool and days are seasonably warm. Anglers have been having success with live bait and spinners.

Philadelphia County and Southern Montgomery County

Fall is a great time to get out and enjoy some trout fishing. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has a fall stocking program and many of our streams in the area are on that list. Check out our Trout Stocking page for more information about stocking locations and dates.