Pennsylvania Fishing Reports, 7-23-10

[Saltwater Fishing]

NW Regional Reports

Fishing and Boating Report – July 21, 2010
Central Erie County
Lake Erie walleye and perch catch rates continue to be consistently good, but those species have moved offshore into deeper, cooler waters. Charter captains are trolling in and around the 100' mark and perch fishermen are in deeper water compared to last month. Nevertheless, catch rates continue to be very good, even better than expected. On shore anglers, both children and adults alike, continue to pick up good amounts of largemouth bass, bluegill, and sunfish with ease.


Charter Captain Dick Torrelli is holding a LUNKER 25 lb. 8 oz. lake trout 38 3/4" in length with a 25 1/2" girth on behalf of angler Dave Bittinger, age 50, of Apollo, PA. Dave caught the near record sized lake trout straight off the point in approximately 102' of water.

Western Erie County (excerpt from our weekly Erie Report)

Hot and humid weather seems to have been the catalyst needed to restart the perch and walleye action. Anglers have been doing very well with good schools of perch now off Walnut Creek in 55 to 60 feet of water west to Trout Run. Walleye action has been very good. The lake has cleared after the storms from a few weeks ago. Anglers using planer boards and keeping the lines away from the boat seem to be having the greatest success. July and August are typically the months for the hottest action for both perch and walleye. When trolling for walleyes, try varying your depths in search of suspended fish. Good action has been seen in the first trench north and west of Walnut Creek in 55 to 62 feet of water with many catches still being reported at depths of only 25 to 40 feet. Harnesses with live crawlers are still the most consistent.

Current average Lake Erie water temperatures as of this writing are 77 degrees off Toledo, 75 degrees off Cleveland, and 78 degrees off Erie.

Mercer County

Shenango Lake

Crappie have moved into deeper water because of the warm surface temperature. Fish for them on deep-water structures. Also with the warmer weather the catfish fishing has been extremely hot.

Boating is in full swing, with the hot air temperatures and warm water temperatures, people are enjoying themselves by the water. Double check your safety equipment to make sure everything is in working order.

Jay Dunkerly, 35 years old, from Farrell caught a nice bluegill while attending the 7th Annual Leslie Colucci Sparano Summerfest


http://www.fish.state.pa.us/splashes.htm

[Saltwater Fishing]

NC Regional Reports

Fishing and Boating Report – July 22, 2010
Cameron County
It is soft shell season! This means that crayfish are molting/shedding and their new shells are easily devoured by fish of all species. Smallmouth bass especially love these tasty morsels.

Despite the warm weather and lower water levels, trout fishing is still going strong on First Fork Sinnemahoning and Driftwood Branch.

Centre County

Boaters, please remember that your boats still need to be registered even if they are just sitting in the marina.

Anglers need to make sure they are wearing Personal Floatation Devices even when fishing from a float tube (i.e. fish cat pontoons).

There has been moderate boat activity on Foster Joseph Sayers Lake. Anglers have been catching some crappies. The spillway continues to be one of the more popular locations to catch panfish and an occasional trout.

Trout fishing on Spring Creek has been good for anglers using terrestrials (i.e. ants, beetles) and/or nymphs.

Clearfield County

The best time to be out fishing with warm temperatures on Curwensville Dam is at dawn and at dusk. Several legal and near legal muskies have been caught near the beach area at dawn or dusk.

There are still trout left in the approved trout waters throughout the County; however, there are not many anglers out fishing for them. If you are interested in catching trout try Chest Creek, Wilson Run, and the tributaries to the West Branch Susquehanna River between Curwensville & Clearfield.

McKean County

Water levels across the county are very low; however, there are still a few golden rainbow trout left over in a few streams.

Trout anglers are having luck catching fish using terrestrial patterns.

Potter County

Anglers are still catching trout on Lyman Lake from the shore and from boats. Some of the trout that have been caught measured in at 14-15”. Lyman Lake is a great place to retreat to when you want peace and quiet. You can experience the lake by canoe, kayak or a boat with an electric motor. There are also boat rentals available on site.

Tioga County


During the early part of July the Tiadaghton Chapter of Trout Unlimited, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Bureau of Forestry and PA Fish and Boat Commission Habitat Staff conducted a stream improvement project on Asaph Run.


http://www.fish.state.pa.us/splashes.htm

[Saltwater Fishing]

NE Regional Reports

Fishing and Boating Report – July 21, 2010
Bradford County
Anglers have had luck catching catfish on the bottom of deeper holes in the vicinity of the Route 6 Towanda/Wysox Bridge. Dead cutbait such as minnows seems to be working the best. The fishing has been slow otherwise due to the hot temperatures and sluggish fish.

Carbon County

Most streams still continue to run low. Fishing activity has been very light to no activity at all on most streams during the past few weeks.

Anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek, Mauch Chunk Creek and the Aquashicola Creek have been catching trout in the early evening hours. Trout action still remains good on sections of the Lehigh River near the mouth of the tributaries emptying into the river. Catfish and eel action still remains good during the evenings on the Palmerton and Bowmanstown Pools of the river.

Ramp construction is still underway at both boat launches at Mauch Chunk Lake. Water levels still remain low at Mauch Chunk Lake. Bass action remained good with catfish being active during the evenings near boat launch A.

Panfish action has been good at Beltzville Lake. Bass, striped bass and walleye have been active near the Preachers Camp area of the lake. Most successful fishing is occurring during the evenings or early morning hours. Boat traffic remains heavy during the weekends. Worm rigs with a white spinner blade being trolled appear to work well catching walleye.

Northern Columbia County

The Susquehanna River has been slow to give up anything of note in the area between Berwick and Bloomsburg, save for a few nice channel cats.

Northern Luzerne County

Area streams continue to be running very low. Small ponds have still been giving up a few nice bluegill. Some real nice perch (10 inches or more) were caught by anglers from boats in Lake Jean over the weekend. Fathead minnows and nightcrawlers were doing the trick.

Northern Pike County

The fishing has been slow lately due to the recent hot weather and lack of rain.

Southern Pike County

The warm weather and low water levels have slowed trout fishing in most of the popular streams but trout were still being caught in the deeper holes of the Bushkill Creek between Kaukout and the Route 209 Bridge. Fly anglers have had success landing trout early in the morning on the Bushkill Creek near Resica Falls in the Catch and Release Fly –Fishing Only section.

Live bait and tube lures have been working for some anglers seeking smallmouth bass on the Delaware River. The hot spots seem to be where tributary streams are entering the river and the faster moving water. Striped bass have been caught near the I-80 Bridge on live bait. Catfish have been actively biting at night for the shore anglers. Chicken liver and nightcrawlers are the baits of choice for the larger catfish.

Northern Wayne County

The hot and humid weather has kept the fishing activity to a minimum on most waterways. Anglers have been doing well early in the morning and into the evening on most waterways.


http://www.fish.state.pa.us/splashes.htm