Anglers targeting walleye on the upper Susquehanna River & Chemung River had some success but said that water conditions were not optimal.  Some May rain might change that.

It’s a good idea to go over your boating equipment thoroughly before heading out to your favorite water.  A few minutes of checks could prevent a major problem out on the water.  Ensure PFDs are in serviceable condition, check fire extinguishers as needed and make sure you have all of the necessary equipment to enjoy your day.

Carbon County

The fishing pressure has remained light to moderate on most of the streams even though the majority of the approved trout waters have received an in-season trout stocking.  Most streams were flowing low and clear.  Anglers using live bait (minnows and waxworms), paste bait and spinners had the most success catching trout.  Anglers fishing the Lehigh River near Bowmanstown did well catching trout. Stick baits and spinners were effective on the river.  

A few anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake caught nice size crappies.  Live minnows were the bait of choice.  Bass (catch and release) and Pickerel action remained good at Mauch Chunk Lake. 

A number of striped bass and walleye were caught in Beltzville Lake near the upper reaches of the Pohopoco Creek and Wild Creek bay area of the lake.  

Anglers and boaters are reminded that although the regulatory buoys such as Slow No Wake, Ski Area are not in place on Beltzville Lake, the regulations pertaining to the slow no wake and water ski area are in effect and enforced.  Maps are located at each boat launch indicating the regulated areas of the lake.  

A basic boating class will be held at Beltzville Lake on May 14th and May 16th from 6 pm to 10 pm each night at the Beltzville Environmental Interpretive Center.  There is no charge for the course, but all participants must pre-register by contacting the Park Office (610) 377-0045 and attend both sessions.  The boating safety education course is required for all operators of a Personal Watercraft (PWC) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 that operates a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower.       

Lackawanna County

What a difference a week makes.  Warmer weather this past week has created better fishing conditions as plenty of pickerel, blue gills and even the black crappies were starting to bite across the area lakes and ponds.

If you’re a trout angler, plenty of trout were caught on Monday (May 6th) in the Roaring Brook.  The Roaring Brook was stocked in Dunmore and through Scranton with brook and brown trout.  The fish were above average size. 

There are still plenty of trout in the South Branch Tunkhannock and Lackawanna Rivers as well.

Remember a trout stamp is required to fish in approved trout waters (until the end of May), whether you intend to keep any trout.

Manny Gorden Pond in McDade Park, Scranton is also loaded with trout.  The pond was stocked for youth 12 years old and younger through the cooperative nursery program partnership with the Fish & Boat Commission.  Young anglers have had much success over the past week.

It might be time to start thinking about getting your boat ready for the upcoming Memorial weekend.  Make sure all the required safety equipment is on board and is in good serviceable condition and that your registration is current.  Registration renewals can be done online at the Fish & Boat Commission's website.

Northern Luzerne & Northern Columbia Counties

Fish have been biting all over the district.  Crappies were being pulled from Harveys Lake (concentrate on the structure and the inlet).  Nice bluegill and perch have also been caught around the district. 

Harris Pond has started producing some decent bluegill as well. 

Area Approved Trout Waters are still being stocked and in most of them we are putting fish on top of others already there.

Monroe County

Anglers were out in large numbers this past weekend.  The sunny and mild days brought them out in record numbers and even a few boaters were out on kayaks.  Most people seemed to be going for trout with mealworms or regular worms.

Southern Pike & Northeastern Monroe Counties

Shad fishing has been incredible in the district. I have seen a lot of schools of shad at various locations under patrol boat. There was a heavy run of shad on the Delaware River from Bushkill Boat Ramp all the way up to Milford Beach Boat Ramp.

Also more good news, The National Park Service has received contributions and Milford Beach will no longer be closing.

Water flow is low for this time of year but with multiple days of rain in the immediate forecast this should help the situation. Water temperature was at 61 degrees and anglers were taking full advantage of another great shad run.

Northern Wayne County

In-season trout stocking is in full swing.  The streams are full of stocked trout.

Junior Kenyon helps stock Equinunk Creek

The bluegill fishing has been sporadic.  Large crappies were hitting light colored jigs near structure in Prompton Dam.  Chain pickerel were hitting live bait at Miller Pond. An occasional bass has been caught as well.

Becky McKenrick with a large crappie

Chad McKenrick sports a largemouth bass

Southern Wayne County

Anglers were having great success fishing at Fairview Lake and West Branch Wallenpaupack Creek using a variety of natural and artificial baits.  The fish were very cooperative and the water temperature was 60-61 degrees.

Wyoming County

Trout fishing continued throughout the area.  In-season stockings in the county are scheduled to conclude this Thursday. 

Lots of anglers were on the Susquehanna River over the weekend.  Some caught a lot of fish but others said they did not have much luck.  River conditions were good although slightly low for the time of year.  Lots of panfish were caught throughout the area. 

Anglers fishing at trout streams in Sullivan and Bradford County had success using nymphs and a variety of live or natural baits.  Trout seemed to be rising in the evening but were not taking top water flies yet.

Southern Columbia & Southern Luzerne Counties

Anglers have had little trouble finding suitable fishing on local trout waters.  Opening day proved successful for many anglers and that success continued as the in-season stockings are underway.  Anglers have been catching fish on a variety of baits and lures, from paste baits and bread, to the most delicately crafted hand tied flies, and everything in between.

Fishing pressure has been light on the Susquehanna River due to the high water levels.  Many anglers have been eagerly preparing for the walleye season opening on May 4th.

All anglers and boaters are reminded to review the summary book completely before heading onto the water and to pay close attention to the posters regarding special regulations on the waters that they fish or boat.

Although May 1st marks the end of mandatory PFD wear, all boaters are strongly encouraged to wear a PFD any time they are on the water.

Until next time, tight lines.

Monroe County

Anglers had a very good weekend on stocked private lakes and state approved trout waters. The weather and temperatures were just right and the trout were biting. Trout in lakes seemed to go after meal worms, while creek trout either went for eggs or spinners.

Tobyhanna Lake was recently stocked with brook trout and anglers were having good success using a variety of artificial and natural baits.

Southern Pike County

There have been lots of people enjoying the nice weather and just having a chance to relax while trout fishing throughout the district.  The water temperatures were still a little chilly which has kept the fish from being caught.  There are still plenty of trout in the area to be caught. 

Crappie have been starting to bite as well. Shohola Lake seemed to be a great spot for this along with Greely Lake. 

Shad were up as far as the Zane Gray Access on the Delaware River. If you have never tried fishing for shad this is a great time to try your luck on a great fighting fish.

Boating season is soon upon us.  Right now the water temperatures are still in the 50’s and everyone is strongly encouraged to wear your PFD's and to be safe out there.

Susquehanna County

Anglers were doing very well at Quaker Lake. One angler even caught a trout on a bare hook!

The mandatory cold weather Personal Floatation Device wear for boats under 16' and all canoes and kayaks will end for the season on April 30th.  However, water temperatures have remained in the mid 50's throughout the county. Use caution when getting out on the water and make sure you let somebody know where you are going and when you expect to return.

Wyoming County

Fishing opportunities have been abundant in the area.  Many trout remain in area trout streams from pre-season stockings and in-season stockings are under way as well. 

Anglers fishing from boats caught quality smallmouth bass over the weekend.  I've seen a number of panfish from many area lakes as well.  It's a great time to be an angler in Wyoming County.

The Nesquehoning Creek and Mauch Chunk Creek recently received an in-season trout stocking.  Fishing pressure on the Nesquehoning Creek was light to moderate while Mauch Chunk Creek received the most fishing pressure.  Anglers on both streams were doing well catching trout using live minnow, meal worms or green paste bait. 

On April 26th, the Lizard Creek will receive an in-season trout stocking. Persons wishing to assist with this stocking can meet the stocking truck at the rear of the Andreas Post Office off Rt. 895 at approximately 11:30am.

Anglers fishing most of the other approved trout waters in the district continue to see and catch a good number of trout from previous stockings.

Fishing action remained quiet on both Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake.  A few anglers fishing at Beltzville have caught striped bass in the upper reaches of the Pohopoco Creek bay area of the lake.  Anglers are reminded that the bass season is closed from April 13th to June 14th with catch and immediate release provision only.  Anglers are also reminded that it is illegal to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass spawning nest, or redd, in an effort to catch or take bass.

Boaters are reminded that although the regulatory buoys such as Slow No Wake are not currently in place on Beltzville Lake, the regulations pertaining to these areas is still in effect and enforced.  Maps of the regulated areas of the lake are posted at each access area of the lake. 

A basic boating class will be held at Beltzville Lake on May 14th and May 16th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm each night at the Beltzville Environmental Interpretive Center.  There is no charge for the course, but all participants must pre-register by contacting the Park Office (610) 377-0045 and attend both sessions.  The boating safety education course is required for all operators of a Personal Watercraft (PWC) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 that operates a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower

Lackawanna County

Colder water temperatures have had an adverse affect on trout fishing over the past week. 

Anglers that ventured out for some pan fishing had mixed results.  Some bluegills, perch and crappies have been caught at area lakes and ponds but not in great numbers.  Anglers have been flocking to Maple Lake but have had limited success catching panfish. 

The colder, breezy weather has affected the boat traffic as well. 

Monroe County

Anglers fishing the Approved Trout Waters in the Stroudsburg area reported a decrease in action this past weekend.  The cooler temperatures were probably the cause of this. Metal spinners seemed to be the lure of choice.

Northern Pike County

Promised Land Lower Lake was stocked with rainbow trout on Wednesday April, 17th. 

Plenty of anglers have been out enjoying the recent stockings on the Lackawaxen River.  Colder water temperatures had slowed the action down a bit but things are starting to pick up again.

Anglers fishing Masthope Creek have been doing really well.  Anglers fishing Shohola Creek around Route 739 have also had good success.

Boaters are reminded to wear their PFDs regardless of the size of the boat.  Cold water immersion is a serious hazard and falls can occur on any size boat.  Please be safe and use good judgment on the water.

Southeastern Pike & Northern Monroe Counties

Anglers fishing Hidden Lake and Loch Lomond have had luck catching trout using paste bait and fishing off of the bottom. The hard part seems to be casting out far enough to reach the schooling rainbow trout.

Bushkill Creek and Little Bushkill Creek anglers have been catching trout regularly even though there have been high water flows and even murky water. It seems like the use of brighter lures like wax worms and spinners have been the favorites.

American shad have been caught as far up as the Lackawaxen River but due to the cold spell and cloudy water fishing has stopped.  Anglers were catching bucks and rows throughout but with water temperatures plummeting back to 51 degrees anglers have not been on the river. 

Wyoming County

The channel catfish were beginning to bite in the Susquehanna River. Smelly concoctions and cut-bait from suckers seemed to produce the best results.