In winter, the place to go is the area west of Weikert in Union County. Between Weikert and Cherry Run, Penns Creek is a wide, beautiful stream. At this time of year, the surrounding mountains may be snowcapped.

No water should be taken lightly when wading in winter, but throughout this section there are places where anglers can cross from bank to bank, depending on the flow. Even upstream of Cherry Run, in the Special Regulations zone, cautious winter wading is possible.

From State College, the typical path is to follow Route 45 east to Route 235 and proceed south. Harrisburg anglers typically follow Route 22/322 to Thompsontown, head north to Route 333 and then take Route 235. Other central Pennsylvania anglers take Route 522 to Beaver Springs and then Route 235. Off Route 235, turn onto state Route 3002 toward Weikert, and continue to the Special Regulations areas on Penns Creek.

At the top of the seven-mile Special Regulations area at Coburn, there are plenty of deep runs and pools that winter trout prefer. Cross the narrow footbridge to gain access to a long trail that goes for a number of miles along Penns Creek. Anglers can get to Coburn by taking state Route 2011 south from Millheim at Route 45.

QUITTAPAHILLA CREEK
When your face is feeling stiff from the cold, the name “Quittapahilla Creek” may seem harder to pronounce. But when it’s warm outside, Quittapahilla Creek in Lebanon County is well worth a winter visit.

A little less than a mile of this stream, also known as “The Quittie,” is under Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only rules. This section runs from Spruce Street Bridge downstream to the lower boundary of the nature park.

In the Special Regulations area, the stream narrows to 30 feet. In many places, steep rock ledges are part of the bank.

The Special Regulations area is in a municipal park, but except for hikers, it doesn’t see a lot of winter action, particularly not on weekdays. This area, with its very deep pools, contains some large trout. Old mill structures and their accompanying dams have created some monstrous holes in this stream, but its flow is surprisingly quick.

Parking is available at the municipal park at Annville, west of Lebanon. A walking trail parallels the stream through the park. The Delayed Harvest section runs from Spruce Road downstream to Buchman Road off Route 422. There is good parking at Buchman Road, but room for only one or two vehicles directly on Spruce Road.

LITTLE PINE CREEK
A freestone stream worth working during warmer winters is Little Pine Creek in Lycoming County.

Little Pine Creek runs approximately 14 miles through Lycoming County down to the junction of Pine Creek at Waterville. However, the best winter fishing is in the one-mile Special Regulations zone above Little Pine Lake. Don’t neglect the area above and below the Delayed Harvest area. There are a lot of fish in Little Pine Lake and they often travel upstream into the creek when there is enough water in the marshy thoroughfare.

For the best winter fishing, anglers should concentrate on the Special Regulations area between the confluence of Otter Run downstream to Schoolhouse Hallow, which was stocked in October. There is some wide, deep water in this stretch and also some narrow, fairly shallow bottom as well.