Pennsylvania's 2004 Fishing Calendar
JULY
Largemouth Bass
Conewago Lake Conewago Lake, often called Pinchot Lake because it is in Pinchot State Park in northern York County, has a superb largemouth bass fishery, especially considering its proximity to Harrisburg and York. There are a lot of largemouths in the 12- to 15-inch class and plenty of fish from 15 to 18 inches.
According to Lawrence Jackson, area fisheries manager, the fishing is good, thanks to Big Bass Regulations and a complex forage base that includes bluegills, alewives and gizzard shad.
Trout
Delayed Harvest Streams Most of our trout streams are lonely places during July. Long gone are the crowds of anglers that lined these streams during April and early May. Plenty of trout remain in the streams in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures-Only and Delayed Harvest, Fly-Fishing-Only programs. Check the regulations guide for program waters near you.
Flathead Catfish
Allegheny River There can be little doubt that the best flathead catfish action in the state is in the lower Allegheny River. Everyone who fishes for them is looking for that next state record (any fish over 44 pounds) and hoping for one over 50 pounds, and they are in there. Begin your search around the bridge piers in Pittsburgh.
AUGUST
Yellow Perch
Lake Erie The yellow perch fishing at Lake Erie is beyond equal in this state. The numbers of fish might not be quite as good this year as they have been during the past couple of years, but you can still expect excellent fishing for perch in the 10- to 15-inch class.
Most of the action takes place in depths of 40 to 65 feet. Last summer, the best fishing was out of the Walnut Creek Access and north from the point of Presque Isle.
Getting to the fish might require a run of several miles. If you are unfamiliar with the lake, or if you fish from a smaller boat, good action can be had out of North East Marina, and charter boats are available.
Lake Trout
Raystown Lake Not many anglers target lake trout at Raystown Lake, but they are abundant. Surveys show plenty of fish in the 24- to 28-inch class. Try downrigging in the lower 10 miles of the lake where there is adequate dissolved oxygen in deep water. They should be below the thermocline.
Largemouth Bass
Holman Lake If you want a great place to catch largemouth bass in the Southcentral Region, Holman Lake at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County is the place to do it. There are more largemouths in the 12- to 15-inch class here than at any other lake in the region.
SEPTEMBER
Largemouth Bass
Shohola Lake Shohola Lake was built for waterfowl. Its average depth is just 5 feet, and nowhere is it deeper than about 8 feet. The woody, weedy habitat is perfect for largemouth bass. The lake gets so weed-choked during summer, however, that fishing is difficult. The time to be here starts when the weeds begin to recede in fall.
This lake is in State Game Lands 180 in Pike County. Only electric motors are allowed. Some parts of the lake are closed to boats.
Muskellunge
Cowanesque Lake Muskie fishing at Cowanesque Lake will not remain a secret for long, even though this lake is tucked away in Tioga County near the New York border. It is stocked with both tiger muskies and pure muskies. Tiger muskies have been recorded to 49 inches. According to Robert Moase, area fisheries manager, some of the pure muskies approach 50 inches.
Bluegills
Gordon Lake Stock your freezer with bluegills to eat during hunting season at Gordon Lake in Bedford County. This little lake is loaded with fish in the 8- to 9-inch class.
OCTOBER
Smallmouth Bass
Susquehanna River Smallmouth bass fishing on the Susquehanna River is a must for anyone's list of things to do every year. Try it during October this year or even November. Temperatures are beginning to moderate and the surrounding hills have nice color. Water flows are typically good. The smallmouths should be receptive to surface lures, which always add excitement (as if smallmouths need any added excitement!).
The Susquehanna has excellent smallmouth fishing from north to south. Anywhere between Sunbury and Harrisburg is a good place to start getting acquainted with the river.
Float-fishing may be the best way to fish it in most areas, but all you really need is a place to get at the water, and then get out and wade. If you want a quick lesson on this world-class fishery, guides are available.
Steelhead
Lake Erie Tributaries Steelhead are in the tributaries from late September through late April. Water and ice conditions will determine how good the fishing will be when you get there.
Muskellunge
Lake Arthur Some muskies in the 50-inch class are showing up at Lake Arthur in Butler County. October should be a great month for these bruisers. This lake suffers heavy fishing pressure, but anglers here are in tune with catch-and-release fishing. Troll big, live baits along weed edges.
NOVEMBER
Walleyes
Allegheny River November is generally the best time for big walleyes in the mid-section of the Allegheny River. While there is good walleye fishing all the way from the Kinzua Dam to Pittsburgh, the best of it is upriver from Franklin.
Hotspots include the dredged pools at Tionesta, Starbrick and Warren and the Kinzua Dam tailwaters, which have probably given up more walleyes over 12 pounds than anywhere else in the northeastern United States.
Live minnows are the standard bait for November walleyes. Use large baits at least 5 inches long. Fish them any way that gets them close to bottom.
Crappies
Blue Marsh Lake Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County has both black and white crappies. Some of the white crappies get to 15 inches.
Unlike many crappie lakes, where anglers tend to forget about them after spring, some of the best fishing here is during fall. Expect the fish to be deeper than they were during spring.
Largemouth Bass
Cross Creek Lake Sneak down to Cross Creek Lake in Washington County this fall. We are hiding this gem in third place for November because it is a small lake at just 258 acres, but it provides the best largemouth bass fishing in the southwest corner of the state.
DECEMBER
Rainbow Trout
Scotts Run Lake Lakes like Scotts Run Lake in Berks County will probably not be covered with ice this month, so take your ultralight spinning gear for some real fun. Fish live minnows or other bait under bobbers. The best fishing will be close to the stocking point for the first few days after the trout are stocked. Later, look for structure, particularly points or cover.
This is just one of several lakes around the state that will be stocked with trout during December. Fishing will be great in any of them. Some of the lakes in the northern counties will probably have safe ice by Christmas
Muskellunge
Woodcock Reservoir This can be a nasty time to be on the water, but this can also be a hot time for muskie fishing. Get on Woodcock Creek Lake early this month before ice blocks you out. Though you should not expect giants here, this lake is loaded with muskies.
Walleyes
Susquehanna River Tailwaters In the Susquehanna, walleye fishing is traditionally a fall event. The best areas are the first mile of tailwaters of the power dams.
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