Photo courtesy of Tony Zappia

Doug Pavick announced that it was about time for him to get a hit. After all, it had been at least an hour since the Westmoreland County angler had boated a muskie. On the very next cast, as his shallow-diving plug careened off a submerged stump, a 3-foot muskie slammed it. The fish was the third of what would be a four-muskie day for Pavick.

During that July trip last summer, Pavick and I sampled a couple of quality muskie lakes in western Pennsylvania. It was an exciting day. In fact, right now is an exciting time to be a muskie angler in the Keystone State.

In most areas of the country where muskies exist, anglers have been bitten by muskie fever. Surveys indicate a growing interest in fishing for this toothy, top-level predator.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is working hard to redefine its muskie management practices. Currently, biologists are looking at two possible changes in regard to creel length and minimum length limit. The first proposal includes implementing a one-fish, 36-inch minimum-length statewide limit on muskies. Also included would be the creation of a handful of trophy muskie lakes where a 45-inch length limit would be in effect. Possible trophy waters in this portion of the state include Lake Arthur and Loyalhanna Lake. The second proposal calls for a one-fish, 40-inch length limit statewide, with no specially regulated trophy waters.

Presently there is a two-fish, 30-inch length limit on muskies and hybrid muskies in Pennsylvania. Final action on any changes that may take place will occur later this year.

Pennsylvania boasts some good muskie fishing in a variety of venues. Large reservoirs, both deep and shallow, provide the big-water option. There are also plenty of smaller lakes and reservoirs where a small boat is the preferred craft. Many of these waters are limited to electric motors only.

Our major river systems, or portions of them, host significant muskie populations. Many of the smaller waters that feed these rivers also hold muskies, making the fish accessible to the bank and wade fisherman.

Following is a look at a selection of muskie waters that should offer good July fishing in 2006. In some cases, these waters are well known in their ability to produce summer muskie action. Also included are places that have good potential, but normally see little attention directed toward the fish.

ALLEGHENY RESERVOIR
The Allegheny Reservoir, which straddles the New York-Pennsylvania border, is not the place to go with the expectation of experiencing fast muskie action. Admittedly, even "fast" muskie action is slow when compared to other species. But on the Allegheny Reservoir, it's likely you will really pay your dues. The trade-off is the chance to catch a truly exceptional muskie.

Set in one of the wild areas of Pennsylvania, Kinzua Lake -- as it's better known -- is a steep-sided impoundment. Shorelines tend to be steep. Rocky points and flats are present, most often in the vicinity of incoming feeder streams. The lake is comprised of two main arms: the Allegheny River stem and the Kinzua arm. The main stem extends into New York, while the Kinzua Arm runs to the east into McKean County. Big muskies are taken from both arms of the lake.

A flood-control lake that sees dramatic winter drawdown, Kinzua has no aquatic weed cover. The primary fish cover is rock, shoreline laydowns, porcupine cribs and tire reefs. The variety of shiner and minnow species make up the food base at Kinzua.