SW REGION REPORTS
REGION COUNTIES -- Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland (County Guide)
July 29, 2020
Western Allegheny County
The Pittsburgh boating pool has been very busy, during this hot and relatively dry summer. There are many new boaters out enjoying everything that the Three Rivers has to offer.
Please take a minute and review your safety equipment before hitting the water. Life jackets are the single most important piece of safety equipment. You must have enough properly fitted, serviceable, wearable life jackets for each person on board.
Take a second to ensure that your fire extinguisher is mounted and fully charged.
A coach’s whistle secured to your life jacket is an inexpensive way to always make sure you have a mechanical sound producing device.
Make sure your throwable PFD is out and immediately available to the operator while you are underway.
Finally, while a Boating Safety Course is required for anyone operating PWC or born after January 1, 1982 that is going to operate a boat with greater than 25 HP; the course is strongly recommended for all boaters regardless of age or experience.
Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass from the shore at Keystone Power Dam. They are using various swimbaits. Anglers from boats have had much luck in Reefer’s Cove catching Smallmouth Bass. Boaters should be aware that water levels are beginning to drop at the lake and should be aware of the various hazards while boating.
Anglers at Yellow Creek Lake are finding success in catching carp, catfish, and pike at the Sailing Launch and at the North Shore Boat Launch. Anglers have been utilizing various types of bait including shiners, wax worms, and nightcrawlers.
Fayette County and Southern Westmoreland County
Fishing within the district is slow, which is expected with the high water temperatures, but anglers on the Youghiogheny River are finding bass on swim baits. Anglers are catching Muskellunge on large stick baits. Anglers are catching Walleye and Sauger off of sandbars with bright color swim baits.
Donegal Lake has been stocked with fingerlings of various species. The future looks bright for the lake with the habitat projects being planned.
The heat did not stop boaters from coming out and enjoying the 4th of July. There were record numbers of boaters out this year. Boaters of all kinds came out to enjoy the warm weather and the refreshing water.
The 90⁰F days are keeping many anglers inside. However, the anglers that find shade in the early mornings and evenings are catching Walleye, panfish, and Muskellunge on the Allegheny River.
Competitors in bass tournaments on the Allegheny River are limiting out on Largemouth Bass.
Washington County
The Monongahela River between Lock 2 and Lock 4, in Washington County, is currently running with minimal debris. However, the river’s edge is still stained from a large amount of recreational boat traffic. The river should be clearing nicely and nearly perfect for recreational boating by the weekend.
The Monongahela River is fishing well for catfish, particularly at night, and bass in the early mornings. The Flathead Catfish bite is starting to pick back up since the spawn. The best baits have been Creek Chubs, suckers, Bluegill, cut Skipjack Herring, and chicken livers.
Bluegill and Largemouth Bass are biting at Cross Creek Lake, with some anglers still catching crappie in the early morning and late evening on structure in deeper water off the points. Bass anglers are doing fairly well with soft plastics. Bluegill anglers are doing well fishing structure near the shoreline using live bait. Anglers are reminded that Cross Creek Lake is regulated as a Panfish Enhancement Program lake and is also part of the Big Bass Program.
Smallmouth Bass are biting artificial lures in area creeks, such as Pigeon Creek, Pike Run, and Chartiers Creek.
R
eports compiled by Miranda (Mandy) Smith (RA-FBSWFISHNRPT@pa.gov), Southwest Region Education Specialist, using information provided by Waterways Conservation Officers, Area Fisheries Managers and other PFBC staff.