Southwest Pennsylvania Fishing Report – October 26th, 2012

Keystone Lake (Armstrong County)

Despite low water in early October, boaters could still launch, although boat traffic was low. Numbers of small muskies and some nice bass were reported, along with a few crappies and bluegills. 

Allegheny River

Some nice smallmouth bass up to 18 inches were reported. Walleyes were running small. Flathead and channel catfish also were released in recent weeks, with the water between lock and dam No. 2 and lock and dam No. 4 yielding nice catches.

Ohio, Beaver rivers  

Live chubs, shiners and jerkbaits were the ticket for largemouth and smallmouth bass up to 3 pounds on both rivers. Smallmouths were hitting on the Ohio as shallow as 5 to 10 feet. The same baits also were taking muskies and northern pike at Townsend Dam on the Beaver River. Anglers also were catching a few hybrid striped bass on twister tails and plastic swim baits at Townsend Dam in recent weeks. A few walleyes and saugers were hitting live bait jigged off the bottom of the Ohio River.

Raccoon Lake (Beaver County)

An Oct. 2 stocking and lower water temperatures brought anglers to this popular state park lake. The panfish bite was slow at the start of the month, although some anglers were catching a few crappies on minnows near the dam.

Monongahela, Youghiogheny rivers (Fayette County)

Cool temperatures spurred some walleye action on both waterways in early October. Trout also were hitting in the upper Yough river.

Youghiogheny River Reservoir (Fayette County)

Some smallmouth bass were reported in recent weeks, along with rock bass, crappies and catfish.

Keystone Lake (Westmoreland County)

Largemouth bass up to 3-plus pounds were reported in late September.

Loyalhanna Lake (Westmoreland County)

Two tiger muskies, 27 and 35 inches, were released at the end of September.

Yellow Creek Lake (Indiana County)

A few northern pike and some small bass were reported in recent weeks. Crappies and bluegills were becoming active. A 35-inch, 16-pound channel cat also was reported.

Conemaugh River (Indiana County)

Large carp and 10-plus pound freshwater drum were reported along with smallmouth bass in recent weeks.

Monongahela River (Washington County)

A decent bass bite was reported in recent weeks.

Green Lick Reservoir, Donegal Lake (Fayette, Westmoreland counties)

Channel catfish were the main catch at the beginning of October with Donegal yielding cats up to 30 inches and 18 pounds on hot dogs off the bottom.

Youghiogheny River

The water level of the river between Smithton and Suttersville is still low and the fishing activity has been slow. Reports have only a few smallmouth bass being caught.

Quemahoning Reservoir (Somerset County)

Smallmouth bass, northern pike and a few crappies were reported along with a 24-inch walleye in recent weeks.

Lake Somerset (Somerset County)

A few channel catfish were released in late September.

High Point Lake (Somerset County)

A draw down for weed control was slated to begin soon on this high-elevation lake. Anglers were catching a few perch and crappies, along with bass and northern pike.