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SC Regional Reports
Map highlighting counties in the Southcentral RegionREGION COUNTIES -- Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York

Reports compiled by Adam Spangler (adspangler@state.pa.us), Southcentral Regional Education Specialist, using information provided by Waterways Conservation Officers, Area Fisheries Managers and other PFBC staff.

Fishing and Boating Report – September 2, 2010
Visitors to the Commission's headquarters building in Harrisburg will see a new face on their way in. A fish sculpture has been added to the landscape in front of the building.

Fish sculpture
PFBC crew with the fish sculpture they cemented in, left to right…Mike Askey, Gary Stover (Foreman), Jim Johnson, John Gmerek

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Fishing and Boating Report – September 1, 2010
Cumberland County

Water levels are low, with water flowing at a moderate rate.  This is a good time for non-powered boats, like canoes and kayaks to have a quiet float down the Conodoguinet Creek or the Yellow Breeches Creek.  Do not forget to check out Laurel Lake at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. 

This is also a perfect time to enjoy some of the natural flora and fauna that Cumberland County has to offer.  While fishing or boating, bring along a pair of binoculars to observe the many birds that make creeks and rivers their preferred habitat.  Egrets and Great Blue Herons are common, but lucky anglers may catch a glimpse of a Bald Eagle or Osprey.

Anglers targeting muskellunge have been having success along the Susquehanna River south of the Dockstreet Dam and north of "Pilot Rock" near Goldsboro.  Muskies in the forty-inch range have been seen in the shallow waters around the New Market Access.

Dauphin County

Anglers on the Susquehanna River are catching bass on brown and green tubes and white spinner bait.

Visitors to the Commission's headquarters building in Harrisburg will see a new face on their way in. A fish sculpture has been added to the landscape in front of the building.

Fish sculpture
PFBC crew with the fish sculpture they cemented in, left to right…Mike Askey, Gary Stover (Foreman), Jim Johnson, John Gmerek

Huntingdon County

On Raystown Lake fishing has been slow.  Cooler temperatures in the evenings are starting to bring the baitfish to the surface and some top water action has occurred as a result of this for largemouth, smallmouth and even some striped bass.  Top water frogs are working on the matted grass beds as well for largemouth bass.

The final fireworks display for the summer boating season is set for Sunday, September 5, 2010 at the Lake Raystown Resort Area of the Lake.

Juniata County

Water levels on the Juniata River are currently low making the use of motorboats difficult at this time.  Boaters tempting to use boats equipped with motors should use caution.  Due to the low water levels, most boating is being done with canoes and kayaks. 

Fishing on the Juniata River for smallmouth bass is slow at this time due to the hot temperatures.  Try fishing late in the evening into the night for your best chance to land a nice smallmouth bass.  Top water bait after dark might be the best way to reel in a smallmouth bass or two.

Lebanon County

Anglers on Memorial Lake are catching bass and panfish on live minnows and spinners. At dusk,  dark surface lures are successful to catch bass.

Perry County

Water levels on the Juniata River are currently low making the use of motorboats difficult at this time.  Boaters tempting to use boats equipped with motors should use caution.  Due to the low water levels, most boating is being done with canoes and kayaks. 

Fishing on the Juniata River for smallmouth bass is slow at this time due to the hot temperatures.  Try fishing late in the evening into the night for your best chance to land a nice smallmouth bass. 

Holman Lake angers are catching some largemouth bass using shiners or 1/4 oz jigs with twisters (scented) in deeper water fishing these jigs slowly.  Pan fish can still be caught down by the dam and along the wooded side of Holman Lake opposite the main boat launch.  Baits of choice include red worms, small minnows, wax worms or 1/64 oz tube jigs or small twisters.

York County

Anglers fishing for bass at Lake Williams are catching 12” to 19” size fish on green tubes.  Early morning has proven to be the best time to catch some nice size bass.  The water level at Lake Williams is finally back to normal.  The boat launch at Lake Williams is now open to vehicles with boat trailers. 

Anglers on Lawrence B. Sheppard Reservoir are catching largemouth bass in the weeds and around the dam area.

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Fishing and Boating Report – August 17, 2010
Dauphin County

The Susquehanna River, with our latest rains, has 3.1-3.4 feet in most locations north of Harrisburg.  This is an ideal level for access for unpowered craft.  A suggested course for canoeists and kayakers is the Middle Susquehanna River trail, see the PFBC website. fishandboat.com/watertrails/trailindex.htm
 
Bass fishing continues to be fair but expect that to change to good as the fall season approaches.  The best time to try catching bass is still around sunrise and near sunset. 
 
Boaters are reminded to share the water with waders, a popular activity this time of year.  As a boater, yield the right-of-way to anyone wading in the river and give a courtesy berth to anyone in the water.

Huntingdon County

Jonah Little, age 3, with a bluegill caught at Raystown Lake on 8/15.

Bluegill

York County

Anglers on the Susquehanna River, below York Haven Dam, have been having success when targeting catfish with either liver or worms – although worms appear to be the preferred bait for the moment.  Although bass have become less active with the recent spike in temperatures, some anglers are having success around heavier cover and when using lures with a combination of sound and heavy action.

Recent high temperatures have caused the largemouth bass in Lake Redman to go to deeper water.  A couple of anglers went out before sunrise and caught more than a dozen bass in deep water on deep diving plugs. 

The level of the water at Lake Williams is still about 2 feet below normal.  Fishing there continues to be slow.

With the approaching waterfowl season just around the corner, hunters are reminded to insure that their boats are equipped with all the proper safety equipment and that they review the regulations concerning their operation on Commonwealth waters.

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Fishing and Boating Report – August 11, 2010
Adams  County

Anglers on Lake Marburg are catching white perch while trolling in the open parts of the lake.

York County

A fishing tournament was recently held at Lake Redman. The first place largemouth bass was 17 7/8 inches and weighed in at 3 lb .07oz. Second place was also a largemouth bass that was 16 ½ inches and weighed 2lb .32oz.  Less than two dozen bass, mostly largemouth bass made it to the weigh-in station.  The weather was clear and the temperature was in the 80’s.

The catwalk at the York Haven Hydro Plant on the Susquehanna River should reopen by the third week in August.  This is good news for the anglers who fish in this area.

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