Susquehanna River levels are up probably 18 to 24 inches due to recent rains but the levels are dropping quickly.  The water color has been a bit off but is not bad.  The fishing, however, has been slow and anglers are not catching much.  Those that are having luck have been drifting live bait.  Lures have not been working well.  The water levels should drop 6 to 8 inches unless we get rain from the hurricane this weekend.

The launches are in great shape and everybody should go out and enjoy the last weekend of summer.

Carbon County

Anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek downstream of Beltzville Lake have been doing well catching trout.  Fishing activity on most other approved trout waters in the district has been slow to no activity.  Water levels remain low on most area waterways.  Trout action has remained good on the Lehigh River especially where the tributaries empty into the river.  Bass action also remains good on most areas of the river. 

Perch action has been good at Mauch Chunk Lake, east of boat launch B and near the dam breast. Minnows or meal worms appeared to work well.  Bass and pickerel action still remains good.  The water level still remains low.  The launching of larger watercraft may be difficult at boat launch B due to the lower water level. 

Fishing action has been slow at Beltzville Lake.  Panfish action remains good in most of the coves.  Most striped bass and walleye action has been occurring during the evenings or early morning hours.

Northern Columbia County

Fishing in the Susquehanna River is still being done best by concentrating on structure, deep holes, tributary mouths and the top and bottom areas of rough water.  The water near the Berwick Bridge and the Catawissa Bridge offer unique opportunities to fish different types of water in a relatively small area.  Wet wading will give the best chance for success.

Northern Luzerne County

Cooler evenings and some much needed rain have helped fishing conditions a little bit over the past week but we still need more rain to restore the local waters, especially the smaller streams which have already passed their bounty of water from recent rains to the larger rivers.

Some nice bass have been caught and released in Lake Jean over the past week as well as a few slammer bluegills.  This lake had given up a number of nice perch through the ice last year and also in the early open water season for anglers fishing the perch spawn.  Hopefully that will repeat this year.  Fish size across the board has been improving in this once fairly sterile lake.

Anglers that are getting out on the water in a boat at Harris Pond are being rewarded by some nice bluegill as well as an occasional nice largemouth. 

Monroe County

Largemouth and smallmouth bass and pickerel have been in a feeding frenzy over the past week. Anglers are catching them at all times of day and on all types of lures but you have to get out there to catch them.

Northern Pike County

Anglers have been having luck at the smaller impoundments.  Bluegills, largemouth bass and perch have been hitting natural baits and artificial lures.

Anglers have been doing well catching walleye in deeper water on live bait and by trolling in Lake Wallenpaupack.  Perch are also hitting live bait and smallmouth and largemouth bass have been biting around docks.

Bluegill, sunfish and other panfish have been hitting in smaller ponds.  Anglers have also been doing well catching panfish at White Deer Lake.

Smallmouth bass and muskie have been hitting live bait in the Delaware River.

Boating activity will likely be very high this coming weekend.  Boaters should be careful, make sure that they have all necessary safety equipment and be mindful of other boaters.

Southern Pike County

The Delaware River has continued to produce results for anglers.  Some anglers caught legal size walleyes and plenty of bass.

Panfish have also been a good resource for fun and sustenance for those anglers who are fishing for them throughout the district.

Southern Wayne County

Anglers have been having luck at the smaller impoundments.  Bluegills, largemouth bass and perch have been hitting natural baits and artificial lures.

Wyoming County

Susquehanna River levels rose with recent rainfall.  Some anglers have found it difficult to catch smallmouth bass in the higher than normal flows but others have done quite well.  Look for smallmouth bass to be very active as the river level drops and flows are back to average.  Largemouth bass and panfish fishing has been very good in area lakes.

There were heavy rains over the past weekend and although the water level in the Susquehanna River are still not up anglers have been doing well catching smallmouth bass and some walleye.  The conditions have been good and the water is not very discolored.

Carbon County

Fishing activity has been light to none on most of the area trout streams.  Anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek downstream of the outlet of Beltzville Lake have been doing well catching trout.  Anglers fishing the Lehigh River near Bowmanstown have done well catching trout and smallmouth bass. Trout action remains good on the river where the tributaries empty into the river. 

Bass and panfish action remained good at Mauch Chunk Lake. Live minnows or soft plastic baits appeared to work the best.  The lake level is still low at Mauch Chunk Lake. 

Bass action has been slow at Beltzville Lake.  Panfish have been active in the Pine Run area of the lake.  Catfish action has been good on different sections of the lake.  Chicken liver appeared to be a good choice of bait for both catfish and striped bass. 

Boat traffic remains heavy on the weekends. Boaters are reminded that non powered watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, row boats, inflatable boats must possess a valid launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission or DCNR or a valid registration before launching their watercraft at state park lakes such as Beltzville State Park Lake or Mauch Chunk Lake which is a Commission owned lake.  

Northern Luzerne County & Northern Columbia County

The weather is cooling and the rains have finally come.  Look for things to heat up as we head into September.  Still, for now at least target those areas of transition in the river.  Ends or beginnings of chutes where the water goes from rapid to slack and mouths of tributaries will continue to hold the most fish as the summer wears on.  Try targeting lakes and ponds in the early evening and early morning.  Harris Pond has still been giving up some nice bluegills and average 1 2 inch bass for those fishing the eastern shore and venturing out on boats.

Monroe County

The Fishing at Hidden Lake has been good and chain pickerel and lots of panfish have been caught.  Anglers have been using live bait and artificial lures to achieve success.

Northern Pike County

Fishing activity has slowed down greatly due to the low water levels.  None of the levels are above drought conditions and hardly any fish are being caught.

Southern Pike County

The Delaware River has been providing great opportunities for people wanting to canoe and kayak.  Anglers have been catching some nice smallmouth bass and even some eels.

Most anglers on the Susquehanna River have had success where tributaries enter the river.  These areas supply well aerated and slightly cooler waters, a blessing for weary late summer fish.  Areas immediately below long stretches of riffles are also being targeted for the same reason.

Anglers are reminded that the warm waters and low levels of dissolved oxygen are a stress that needs to be taken into account when you are practicing catch and release.  Handle the fish as little as possible upon landing and try to release them without removing from the water.  A good first step is to make sure you are pinching down all of your barbs.  Not only does it make it easier to remove the hook upon landing but it can greatly improve your hook-up rate as well.

Susquehanna County

Anglers have been catching bluegills and panfish on bobbers and worms in the vicinity of the parking area at Comfort Pond. 

The Fish & Boat Commission will have a variety of literature available at the Harford Fair until August 21st.  It can be found in the Federation of Sportsman’s Club booth.

Southern Wayne County

Anglers have had good luck fishing for smallmouth bass in Lake Wallenpaupack.  Artificial and natural baits fished in 6 to 12 feet of water around docks and drop-offs seemed to have worked the best.

Wyoming County

Fishing has been slow throughout the county over the summer likely due to high water temperatures.  Fish in the mornings and evenings and try fishing deeper waters.