Must be one of those weeks, but fishing has been good just about everywhere! Some nice bass were caught at Blue Marsh Lake on soft plastics, and the opener looks great for June 15.
Striper continues to be good at the lake, with a fish at least 15 pounds caught on an alewife with light tackle. Do not forget to get a permit if you are going to use a cast net to catch alewives for bait at Blue Marsh Lake. Musky fishing is really picking up, with hookups reported at downed trees using large plugs.

Other smaller lakes that have been good for bass include Hopewell Lake (French Creek State Park) fishing early and late and Kaercher Creek Lake in Hamburg. Kaercher Creek Lake is worth a try!

Nice size trout are striking in the Tulpehocken Creek (special regulations area), and creek flows are very fishable.

Good luck!

Chester County

So with bass season opening on June 15, anglers will want to know where the best bass action has been, and Octoraro Reservoir wins that one hands down. Largemouths up to 8 pounds and smallmouth to 3.5 pounds have been caught on buzz baits, stick baits and rubber worms; these fish are hungry and waiting for the next offering. We have seen many photos of recently caught and released  bass and been told of large numbers of fish taken in short time frames, for example two anglers who caught and released 22 bass in 4 hours of fishing from a boat. We have also handed out citations for violations to a number of individuals who caught big bass and just could not bring themselves to release the fish. These citations are hundreds of dollars. One fellow with two fish kept them to take home for dinner. Think of how much fish he could buy for a few hundred dollars at his local grocery store, or the fine restaurant he could have taken his wife to for the price of a ticket! Another individual kept a four, six, and 9-inch bass to stock his pond with. Ouch! He could have bought a few pounds of Koi for that kind of money. Be patient, bass season is right around the corner, but for now enjoy the fight, but until then release your catch for another day.

Lancaster County

The Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance is holding its Watershed Expo at the Lancaster Liederkranz (722 S. Chiques Road) from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Bring the whole family for a fun, educational evening at the Liederkranz with hot dogs, sauerkraut, and FREE ice cream courtesy of Kreider Farms. Learn about the planned stream restoration-taking place at the Liederkranz with a 7:00 PM tour. There is a lot planned for the Expo, including: face painting & live music, home composting workshop, Auction Road project demonstration, a macroinvertebrate lesson, children’s activities. About 12 local community groups, organizations, and local agencies will be present. Learn more about the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance here: http://chiquescreekwatershed.org/

Boaters and PWC users (personal watercraft, jet skis) are reminded of the slow, no wake restrictions in place for the following areas of Lancaster County:

Susquehanna River – Boats are limited to slow, no wake speed for both of the following:

1. From the Lancaster County Shoreline to the northern point of Shad Island south to the southern point of Green Island and back to the Lancaster County shoreline from January 1 to October 1;
2. In all areas between and within 200 feet of the islands comprising the Conejohola Flats.

S. Montgomery County / W. Philadelphia

Fishing on the Schuylkill River is in full swing with the arrival of bass season on June 15.  Anglers are reporting sightings of the invasive snakehead fish in the tidal section of Schuylkill River at the Art Museum/Waterworks.

Anglers catching snakeheads should dispose of them properly. Anglers suspecting they have caught a snakehead are encouraged to NOT release it, and report it to the Commission at 610-847-2442 or via email. You can learn more information about how to identify northern snakeheads from our website here: fishandboat.com/water/fish/snakehead/snakehead.htm

Catfish are the main catch on the Delaware River when fishing from the shore. Chicken livers, worms, shrimp, and bagels are the favored baits when fishing for catfish. Live bait is the first choice when fishing for the monster flatheads. Stripers are still being reported in the tidal section of the Schuylkill River, the minimum size limit is now 28 inches. Last but certainly not least, carp fishing is starting to heat up in the river as well.

Warm weather in the area brings with it increased boating activities on the Schuylkill River, especially around the Flat Rock Park/Access Area.  Boaters are reminded to maintain a safe distance between boats, rowers and skiers.  Be safe.

It was a slow weekend at Blue Marsh Lake from a recreational boating perspective. It must have been the July like temperatures.  Bass fishing was good with the limited boat traffic, with most fish caught on soft plastics toward shore.  Looks like a good bass opener around the corner.  Please pay close attention to speed restrictions especially in dock areas and posted no-wake zones.

Trout fishing has been good in the Tulpehocken Creek Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Area downstream of Blue Marsh Lake.  Some nice sized rainbows and browns caught and released.  This is a great area to fish, so try it out!

Good luck!

S. Chester County

If you have been waiting for your big break into Bass Tournament Fishing, this may be it. Captain Jim is having a Bass Open Tournament at the Octoraro Reservoir on Sunday, June 16 from 6am until 12pm, (6 Hours). To get to the lake, simply get on Route 1 in Southern Chester County and get off on the Route 472 Exit. Turn West on Route 472 W. and you will go over the Rte 472 Bridge. At the top of the next hill, you will turn left on to Spruce Grove Road. You will go about a mile and at the bottom of the hill; you will see the lake and the Fishing Headquarters on your left. The physical address for the Fishing Headquarters is 212 Spruce Grove Road, Kirkwood, PA. 17536, For even more information call Captain Jim, phone 717-529-2488 or visit his website at http://www.jimsbait.net.  Fishing is only permitted from boats, with a limit of two persons per boat.

If you are looking for some great fishing opportunities while trying to get away from it all, give Octoraro Reservoir in Southern Chester and Lancaster County a try. Octoraro Reservoir is easy to find.

Octoraro Reservoir is about 669 acres in size and is about 29 feet deep at its deepest. It is the property of the Chester Water Authority for providing drinking water. Use of a boat at the reservoir is at your own risk as the reservoir is not a flood control lake. This means that sudden storms can cause sudden rapid rises in water depth so all boats are required to leave the lake in the event of a storm and as always, a United States Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device is required for each person on board. Boats can be rented from Captain Jim at the Fishing Headquarters, with paddles or electric motors, for an additional charge or you can bring your own boat. If you bring your own boat there is a $4.00 boat launching fee. Boats can be stored at the launch as well, contact Captain Jim for more information. You can rent a rowboat for a 1/2 day, (less than 5 hours) for $20.00, or a full day (more than 5 hours) for $30.00. You can also rent an electric motor boat for $45.00 for a 1/2 day, (less than 5 hours) or for $60.00 for a full day (more than 5 hours). Kayaks and canoes are also available to rent, $15.00 for the 1st hour and $10.00 for each additional hour. These prices are in effect at this time and are subject to change at any time. You can catch catfish, (white, channel & brown bullhead), carp, large and smallmouth bass, I have seen smallmouth to 5 pounds, yellow perch, sunfish, crappie, (white & black), have seen these up to 15 1/12 inches long usually caught from mid May to mid June, walleye and some nice pike are also being caught. There is a good forage base in the lake of spotfin and spottail shiner, gizzard shad and golden shiners. Most of the fish population is through natural reproduction at this time and has been for years. The PA Fish & Boat Commission has not stocked the lake since the mid 1980’s, as the populations in the lake have been able to maintain themselves since that time.
The boat ramp area also has a picnic area available for your use, picnic tables, barbecue grills and an area large enough to play outdoor games. There are also a few hiking trails available to walkers and hikers around the area.

A small portion of the reservoir is restricted and may not be entered. A map is available from the Fishing Headquarters that shows these areas. There are also areas that are Restricted Waterfowl Nesting Areas, also shown on the map. The Fishing Headquarters also sells fishing rods and reels, bait, terminal tackle, snacks, PFDs, and fishing licenses as well. All of Pennsylvania's fishing and boating laws are in effect at the reservoir and are enforced. Boat launching is permitted from the Fishing Headquarters only. Drugs, alcohol, camping, campfires, dogs, horses, firearms and littering are prohibited. The Chester Water Authority reserves the right to close access to the Reservoir. Hours for boating on the Reservoir are sunrise to sunset in April, August, September and October, and 6am until 8pm during May, June & July. Call 717-529-2488 for more detailed information.

Remember that fish are a valuable resource and the Chester Water Authority asks you to keep what you need and release the rest. Also, remember to bring along a camera to take pictures of all those fish that you can catch, as well as the wildlife you may see and remember Autumn is on the way with its color and special views. Since all the boats must launch from the Fishing Headquarters and the lake is so large and only allows electric motors you can easily find a quiet spot if you are willing to paddle a little or power a bit to get away from the boat launch.

Fishing from shore is equally productive for some species. Access from shore is from the Rte 472 Bridge, Chester County Side with parking limited to about 15 cars. Between the Spruce Grove Road Bridges, there is parking for about 10 cars, and the Fishing Headquarters parking lot can hold well over 50 cars. A lot of shoreline is available to fish from that parking lot and the first bridge on Spruce Grove Road is within easy walking distance from the parking lot. Good Luck!

Many anglers have been out at Octoraro Reservoir lately, both from shore and boat. Almost everyone catching something, some was catching a lot of what they are targeting. A few carp anglers have been catching big carp and many of them from the Spruce Grove Road causeway using carp dough. A few nice size channel cats caught from the causeways using shrimp and night crawlers. Crappie fishing slowed down but still a couple of 10 to 12 inchers brought to net by boaters using small jig heads tipped with crappie baits or small fatheads. Last, two anglers that each caught and kept a few bass, one had two and one had three. Since Bass season does not open for a few weeks, they both had to turn over the fish and received citations for $148.50 and $168.50.

Lancaster County

Students at Conestoga Valley High School went out last month to collect trash from along the Little Conestoga River. Making time in our busy schedules to clear our local waterways of trash will keep those areas clean and pristine so that we may enjoy our aquatic resources for years to come.

Lehigh County

Some nice trout were caught out of the Lehigh River from Slatington downstream to the Cementon Falls, mostly on minnows.  Additionally, smallmouth are also very active, but be reminded the season is still closed.

Little Lehigh Creek throughout the Parkway is still fishing very well.  Trout are still being stocked every weekend by the co-op nursery through June 15.  The Fly-Fishing Only area is also providing good fishing lately for those with fly equipment.  Baetis, caddis, and some sulfurs have been hatching, primarily at first light in the morning and again late in the evening.  Those fishing in midday are catching fish on ants and beetles.  Jordan Creek through the County park property near Helfrich springs also has many trout left.  Water is low and clear and fish very wary.
Need to sneak up on them, but can be caught on bead head nymphs, and pheasant tails for those who fly fish. Right now that is about all you can catch them on.  Due to low and clear water, everything else spooks them.

N. Montgomery County / E. Berks County

It is that time of year again for the panfish to start hitting up at Lake Ontelaunee in Berks County. Anglers are catching nice sized crappies and some perch back at Peter’s Creek on Small Jigs and plastic grubs. Anglers are also reporting success catching large catfish on chicken liver and worms off West Shore Drive near the old bridge. With the seasonably warmer temperatures during the day, try getting out early in the morning, or later in the day into the evening. Good luck and enjoy!

What a difference a day makes!

After two days of strong winds on Blue Marsh Lake, Memorial Day couldn't be any better. The winds were gone, and the crowds returned. Boat traffic was fairly light for a holiday, and the fishing improved. A nice musky in the above 40 inch range greeted a lucky angler, and bass were hitting on soft plastics. Some large crappies were taken on minnows worked mainly around downed trees.

Check required boating safety equipment prior to launching, especially lifejackets.  If you’re planning to use a small or shallow draft boat, it's better to launch into the no-wake zone at the PFBC Sheidy Access near Bernville.  Blue Marsh Lake gets pretty choppy on the main lake, especially with weekend boat traffic. Have a great summer!

S. Bucks County

Recently local WCO Johnson worked with some Boy Scouts at Falls Twp Lake in Falls Twp, Bucks County.  Watching children catch their first fish is a great experience, and Falls Twp Lake provides a great opportunity for parents and grandparents and any adult to take a child fishing whether for the first time or experienced anglers. There are plenty of and a wide variety of fish and the park is very well maintained and has easy access to the water. 

N. Chester County

There are reports of muskies being caught on buzz baits and crank baits. Bass are taking jigs, buzz and crank baits. They are also being taken on large black, purple or dark green and pumpkin seed rubber worms. Best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers. The bass are on redds now, and it is illegal to target them there. Bluegills and crappies are being caught on mealworms and jigs in the mid shallow areas.

French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creek are still fishing well. The fishing pressure has been very light as of late. Water temps are around the 62 degree mark.

Spin anglers have been doing fair with spinners; a few are having great success with small crank baits. Bait anglers are doing equally well with minnows, small wax and mealworms. Fly anglers have reported taking trout on black caddis, stoneflies, and midges. Small pheasant tail and hares ears nymphs are also producing good results for the fly anglers.

Remember, anglers may never have bait in possession in any of the Special Regulation Areas. The Fly Fishing Area is Catch & Release Only. Anglers may not possess fish in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas until June 15, 2013.

Black Rock area of Schuylkill River - Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing near the Cromby Power Plant outflow has picked up since the warm weather moved in. Crankbaits and live bait are still the best producers. Several anglers have been taking channel cats on liver and flathead catfish on live bait.

Note: Stay clear of the fish ladder at Black Rock Dam. Violators caught fishing within 100’ of that area will be prosecuted.

Delaware County

As temperatures increase, trout fishing has tapered off here in Delaware County. The striped bass run has typically been the next fishing opportunity for Del. Co. anglers, but this year has been a strange year for the stripers.  Last year, the striped bass run peaked out at the beginning of May. This year, cool spring temperatures kept the bass from running early, and when warm weather finally hit, the fish were boiling!  That lasted all of three days, until we got another cold front. The fish seemed to scatter and move north.  Water temperatures are just right, but according to the PFBC biologists, the spawn is ending. Stripers are being caught from Chester Island up to the Airport, but not like they were last year. Lots of anglers catching catfish on the clam bait. Not a bad thing, if you’re just looking to catch fish. The cats have been nice this year, with many in the 24" plus range.

E. Schuylkill County

The Little Schuylkill River near Tamaqua has been excellent for trout fishing.  Good numbers of brown trout are being caught with meal worms.  Live minnows and small spinners have also had some success.  The river has been low and clear, so fish may become ‘line shy’ and easily scared off by the anglers.

Tuscarora Lake has been a good place for crappie fishing. The evenings have been especially good for crappies with live minnows. Anglers reported success near most structure in 4 to 10 ft of water. Pickerel continue to be caught in the lake as well. Minnows, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits have worked for pickerel.

Locust Lake has seen very little angling or boating pressure. Trout are still being caught from the shoreline on a variety of baits but will soon move to the deeper, cooler sections of the lake. There are plenty of bluegill and pumpkinseed panfish along the edges of the lake which can easily be caught with worms. This makes it a great place to take a young kid for entertaining fishing.