April 9, 2015

Hay, Antietam, Manatawny creeks (Berks County) — Water was slightly high and murky and air temperatures were freezing with even colder wind chills on these and other fisheries on Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, March 28. The bite was generally slow to start, but improved as the morning wore on, with fathead minnows, red worms,

Prompton Dam (Wayne County) — Ray’s Guide Service reported crappies and big numbers of nice bluegills were hitting in 18 to 20 feet of water through last ice as of March 28. Lackawanna Lake (Lackawanna County) — Big bluegills and smaller-size crappies and perch were biting on tiny chartreuse jigs tipped with waxworms in recent

Armstrong, Clarks, Mahantango, Powells, Rattling creeks (Dauphin County); Children’s Lake at Boiling Springs (Cumberland County) — Freezing air temperatures put a dent in participation on these and other fisheries on Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, March 28. Participation also may have seemed lighter on some lakes and streams this year because many more waters were

Penns Creek (Snyder County) — As conditions allowed through late March, TCO Fly Shop recommended streamers along the banks or going deeper with nymphs, especially bigger Stoneflies. Hatches included tiny Blue-Winged Olives (20-22) and midges (20-24).  Tioga River — Don’s Tackle Shack reported anglers were releasing a few walleyes and smallmouth bass, but the bites

Highpoint Lake (Somerset County) — Bass up to 16 inches, crappies up to 13 inches, and chain pickerel up to 24 inches were reported during late-season ice. One black crappie was 15-plus inches. Monongahela River — Rainfall turned the river high in mid- to late March, and fishing was slow. Virgin Run Dam (Fayette County)

Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay — Some nice brown trout were caught through last ice off East Avenue. The bay was loaded with bait fish and steelhead.  Walnut, Elk, Crooked Creeks and Upper Gravel Pit (Erie County) — Ice had moved out of the tributaries and water levels were falling as of March 25, although