Reports compiled by Andy Fedor (anfedor@state.pa.us), Northeast Regional Education Specialist, using information provided by Waterways Conservation Officers, Area Fisheries Managers and other PFBC staff.

Good water flows on the Susquehanna River are allowing boaters to access most of the better stretches of the river. The river stage at Towanda was 2.17 feet as of November 10th and the forecast for November 11th was 2.00 feet. Both walleye and smallmouth bass action has been very good lately with some large walleye and smallmouth being taken on jigs tipped with shiners.

Anglers are also having luck fishing minnows that are 3-4 inches long in the slack water.

Carbon County

Fishing activity on the Lehigh River has been slow during the past few weeks.  The Pohopoco Creek, Mauch Chunk Creek, Buckwa Creek and the Aquashicola Creek are good choices to catch trout during the fall and winter season. 

A few anglers who took advantage of the warmer weather during the past weekend did well catching bass at Mauch Chunk Lake.  Perch between 10-11 inches have been hitting wax worms fished near the bottom of the lake.  Pickerel have also been active at the lake. 

Anglers fishing Beltzville Lake did well catching bass, striped bass and a few walleye on various sections of the lake.  Live bait has been working well for the striped bass.

Boaters are reminded that the Slow No Wake and Ski Zone buoys have been removed from Beltzville Lake for the upcoming winter season.  Although the buoys have been removed, the designated Slow No Wake and Water Ski Zones are still in effect and the regulations pertaining to the zones are being enforced.  Boaters are encouraged to consult the maps posted at both Pine Run and Preachers Camp Boat Access areas which indicate the Slow No Wake Zones and the Water Ski Zone of the lake.

With hunting season approaching, hunters are reminded that if they use a boat that all boating regulations still apply including that the boat is properly equipped with the necessary safety equipment such as personal flotation devices (PFDs), a fire extinguisher if required, knowing the boating laws and the rules of the road.  Hunters and anglers using boats are always encouraged to wear their personal flotation device especially during the fall and winter seasons.  Remember, hypothermia is a factor in many boating accidents.

Northern Luzerne County

Trout anglers have been having great luck at Harveys Lake.  The trout have been moving to shallower water and are moving up into the tributaries.  It is important to remember that any trout caught in the tributaries to Harveys Lake during the extended season must be released immediately unharmed back to the waters they came from.  These tributaries are not Approved Trout Waters and are not considered part of Harveys Lake's special regulation area. 

There are still plenty of trout in Harveys Creek to be had.  The section along Route 29 holds fish well through the winter and can be a challenge to fish.  There are many pockets and holding areas for fish to hide in and the fast and slow waters can make it a challenge to give the fish a proper presentation.

Fisheries staff were busy the last week of October doing fish net studies of Harveys Lake to get an idea of how the fishery is doing.  I have heard from them that they were very pleased by what they found.  A lot of 20"+ brown trout and a good number of impressive largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught. 

Weather reports for this coming week have been encouraging.  Temperatures look like it’s going to feel more like early October than early November.  Anglers and paddlers need to take advantage of this last blast of warm fall weather before they put away their rods and PFD's. 

Northern Pike County

Boating has tapered off for the year and most boaters are putting their boats away for the winter.  For those daring enough to still go out remember to wear your life jackets this time of year.  Cold water can be fatal.

Fishing is still going good despite the funky weather conditions here in the Northeast.  The Lackawaxen River is still a good spot to catch some really nice trout using a fly rod and your favorite fly. Anglers are still doing well for smallmouth bass and a few eels in the Delaware River.  Small ponds are doing well for all types of pan fish using jigs and live bait.

Fairview Lake was recently stocked.  Anglers are having luck catching rainbow trout.

Southern Pike County

Many anglers took advantage of the beautiful weather over the weekend and got their lines wet.  Anglers caught smallmouth bass in good numbers near the Bushkill access.  The walleye bite was slow but a few were caught on nightcrawlers and crankbaits from Decker’s Ferry Landing to Smithfield Beach.

Anglers fishing Promised Land Lake, Pecks Pond and local community lakes did well with the panfish.  A few large perch and crappie were caught using jigs tipped with minnows and waxworms. 

Trout anglers fishing the Bushkill Creek on Saturday did well along Creek Road. Wax worms and mealworms seemed to work the best. 

Sullivan County

Trout remain active close to the new fishing pier at the boat launch parking lot at Hunters Lake.  Multi-colored paste baits fished just off the bottom are producing excellent results.

Fall trout stocking has been completed in the Lackawaxen River. There are still plenty of good sized trout being caught from previous stockings. Fly-fishing seems to be the gear of choice. Some smaller ponds are still good for pan fishing. Get the gear ready because the ice fishing season is right around the corner!

Boating has come to a standstill on Lake Wallenpaupack but if you are venturing out on the lake be sure to wear your PFDs because cold water and cold weather can be extremely dangerous.

Wayne County

Tournament anglers and groups organizing fishing tournaments should be aware that fishing tournaments will not be permitted at Prompton Dam in 2010 and 2011 due to a large construction project.

Fishing in the Susquehanna River has been fair.  The water temperature has dropped but conditions are clear and nice.  Smallmouth bass are biting well on 1/8 and 1/4 ounce jigs with dark color twister tails.  Some anglers have been catching very nice smallmouth over the past week or so.  Anglers are reminded that as of October 1st the minimum size for bass has increased to 15 inches and the daily limit has decreased to 4 combined species.

Northern Luzerne County

Area waterways received a fresh batch of hatchery trout in the past two weeks.  Sylvan, Moon and Harveys Lakes have all been freshly stocked as has Harveys Creek from Pavlick Road down.  Water levels are still strong in Harveys Creek (for fall levels anyway) and water temperatures in the lakes are perfect for trout fishing.  Why not get out and enjoy this beautiful time of year along our waterways?

Southern Luzerne County

Anglers are doing well catching trout at Lily Lake, Lake Took Awhile and Lake Irena using paste baits and waxworms.  Anglers have also been doing well on black crappie on Francis Walter Dam.  Trolling seems to work best.

Anglers on the Susquehanna River have started to catch walleye in the lower sections of the river downstream of Wilkes-Barre.

Boating pressure on area lakes is down. Some boats have been on the river as well as Francis Walter Dam.

Monroe County

Fishing action on private community lakes has slowed down considerably the last two weeks due to the cold night time temperatures. A few anglers are still catching largemouth bass during the late afternoon hours when the water warms up.  They seem to be hitting on bigger lures and baits.

Northern Pike County

Activity has been slowing down with the colder weather and few anglers have been going out.

Southern Pike County

Few anglers have been fishing the Delaware River over the past week.  The anglers that braved the colder weather had some success catching bass on spinnerbaits in the riffles. 

The Bushkill Creek has had its fall stocking of trout within the Resica Boy Scout Reservation and the Delaware Water Gap.  Some anglers caught their limit of trout before stocking even started.  Those who fished after the trout stocking was completed caught their limits as well.  Inline spinners did the best job.  The hot spot continues to be near the Route 209 Bridge.

The delayed harvest artificial lures only section of Dingmans Creek was also stocked with a good number of trout.  Anglers looking for a scenic stream away from the crowds tucked in the heart of the Delaware National Recreation Area should give this stream a try.

Wyoming County

Anglers are catching fall stocked trout in South Branch of Tunkhannock Creek and Bowman’s Creek.  Anglers are reminded that Bowman’s Creek is Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only. 

Smallmouth bass fishing has picked up since the weather warmed after the recent cold spell and some anglers have had luck catching them in Lake Winola.

A few anglers fishing Pohopoco Creek over the weekend had some success catching trout but most anglers just saw trout that were not cooperating.  Anglers did well catching nice size trout on the Lehigh River just upriver of the Route 895 Bridge from the East Penn Township side of the river. 

Anglers are reminded that the minimum size for bass harvested from rivers and streams during the period from October 1st through December 31st is 15 inches with a combined species daily limit of four.  Additional regulations may apply for other waters and Big Bass Regulation waters.  Anglers are encouraged to consult the 2009 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary for further information.

Crappies have been active near the fishing dock at Launch A at Mauch Chunk Lake.  Small minnows appeared to work well as bait.  Pickerel and bass action still remains good at Mauch Chunk Lake.  

Anglers caught smallmouth bass from the shore areas of Beltzville Lake during the weekend.  Minnows appeared to work well as bait.  Pickerel have been active on various areas of the lake in recent weeks. 

Boaters are reminded that the Slow No Wake and Ski Zone buoys have been removed from Beltzville Lake for the upcoming winter season.  Although the buoys have been removed, the designated Slow No Wake and Water Ski Zones are still in effect and the regulations pertaining to the zones are being enforced.  Boaters are encouraged to consult the maps posted at both Pine Run and Preachers Camp Boat Access areas which indicate the Slow No Wake Zones and the Water Ski Zone of the lake.

Wyoming County

The fall feeding frenzy appears to have begun in the Susquehanna River.  The river is in great shape and anglers in the Tunkhannock and Falls areas have done very well with smallmouth bass.  There have been mixed reviews of the fishing at Lake Winola.  Some have had success while others complain that it has been slow. 

Fall stockings are scheduled this week for Bowman's Creek (Catch and Release Only section), and Tunkhannock Creek South Branch.  With the leaves changing colors and a decent weather forecast it will provide some nice trout fishing opportunities.