July 16, 2015

Octararo Lake (Chester, Lancaster counties) — Recent storms spurred the channel catfish bite, with Captain Jim Neary’s Bait & Tackle reporting weighing a dozen cats over 10 pounds by July 2.  Shiners and crawlers off the bottom were effective. Bass fishing went from phenomenal to hit or miss as a result of late-June storms, but […]

Lake Wallenpaupack (Pike County) — Weather fronts, including gusting winds, made for tough fishing through early July. Water tended to be clear, and temperatures fell from 76 and 77 degrees to 70 and 71 degrees by July 1. Such conditions made anglers have to work for their catches.  Ray’s Guide Service reports that smallmouth and

Juniata River (Huntingdon, Mifflin counties) — Nice-size smallmouth bass were reported in early July. Catfish were reported from shore at night. Little Juniata River — Water was high but dropping, off-color and about 62 degrees July 1. As conditions allowed, TCO Fly Shop suggested nymphing or fishing the banks with streamers. Tan caddis (14-16), tiny

Pine Creek (Clinton, Lycoming counties) — High flows with murky-to-muddy conditions slowed the fishing here and elsewhere in the region through July 1.  Lake Cowanesque, Hammond Lake (Tioga County) — The Tackle Shack reported that smallmouth and largemouth bass were hitting on dark-color plastics and chartreuse crankbait through early July, depending on conditions.  Hills Creek

High Point Lake (Somerset County) — Crappie action was heating up, with boaters having the most success, and white and red jigs productive. Northern pike and largemouth bass also were reported in late June.  Youghiogheny River —The tailrace of the dam was yielding nice catches of trout, and a stocking was scheduled for July 1.

Lake Erie —Perch hadn’t schooled up in big packs as of June 29, but some limits were reported in 53 feet off Walnut Creek, as weather conditions allowed. Perch also were reported off Trout Run in 42 feet and off Elk Creek in 35 to 42 feet.  The closer to shore, yellow perch anglers also