May 8, 2014

Octoraro Reservoir (Lancaster County) — Captain Jim Neary’s Bait and Tackle reported that crappie fishing exploded in late April, with many fish, including slabs up to 2 pounds, 6 ounces, hitting on medium shiners. Fathead minnows under bobbers were effective. White perch fishing was excellent on chunks of crawlers and crankbaits, with good spots at

Francis Slocum State Park Lake (Luzerne County)  — A 40-plus pound muskie was caught on a mealworm by a trout angler in recent weeks. Lackawanna State Park Lake (Lackawanna County) — Crappies, bluegills and numbers of trout were hitting minnows and Brewer grubs through the end of April. Tobyhanna Lake (Monroe County)  — Trout, chain

Little Juniata River (Huntingdon County) — Near excellent conditions were reported April 25, with olive-green Caddis nymphs the ticket to catch trout. Grannoms were expected to soon hatch. TCO Fly Shop suggested fishing Blue-Winged Olive nymphs in the deeper tail-outs, sucker span in the riffles, and streamers in both. Hatches included Stoneflies, Blue-Winged Olives (18-20)

Hammond, Tioga, Hills Creek, Hamilton Lakes (Tioga County) — Don’s Tackle Shack reported April 27 that anglers were catching panfish, including numbers of crappies. Bass were getting into their pre-spawn habits. Some chain pickerel were reported. Trout fishing was good on wax worms, butter worms, and live minnows in these well-stocked lakes, and hatches were starting

Lake Wilma (Greene County) — Panfish were active on minnows through the end of April. Trout were hitting minnows and spinners. Whiteley Creek, Templeton Run (Greene, Washington counties) — Trout anglers did best working the deeper pools in the early evening before sundown in April. Wheeling Creek, Dunkard Fork Creek (Greene, Washington counties) — Pastebaits