SW REGION REPORTS
REGION COUNTIES -- Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland (County Guide)
November 6, 2019
Eastern Allegheny County
Deer Lakes and the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) section of Deer Creek received a fall trout stocking on October 22, 2019. Success has been spotty at Deer Lakes, with paste baits catching the most fish. Small spoons are working as well.
With the recent rains, the trout stocked into Deer Creek have been able to move around quite a bit. Explore the Delayed Harvest section that is away from the usual stocking points. You never know what you will catch.
Anglers have been catching several large Muskellunges from the Allegheny River in the recent weeks. This is the time of year when the fish of "10,000 casts" seems to be a little easier to catch. Large swim baits produce, but remember that casting one all day requires some stamina.
Except for a few diehards, the 2019 boating season is almost over. Many boaters have already put their boat away for a long winters nap. If you are going to venture out on the water, then please wear a personal flotation device even if not required to do so. Sudden immersion into cold water will quickly take your energy and quite possibly your life.
Boaters are reminded that the mandatory cold weather life jacket regulation is now in effect (November 1 to midnight April 30) on ALL KAYAKS, CANOES, PADDLEBOARDS and ALL BOATS LESS THAN 16 FEET IN LENGTH.
Beaver County
Raccoon Lake was stocked with Rainbow Trout the last week of October. Many anglers showed up for the stocking and were delighted with the size of the fish. The anglers were also excited because the trout were biting soon after the stocking. Gold spinners were catching the most trout.
The Flathead Catfish bite is starting to slow down on the rivers with the drop in water temperatures.
Brady's Run Lake is scheduled to be stocked with trout at 1 p.m. on November 19, 2019.
Indiana County
Anglers at Blue Spruce Lake are taking advantage of the recent stocking. Many anglers are catching Brook Trout, averaging around 10 inches. All anglers catching trout have been using live bait.
Anglers at Two-Lick Reservoir are catching their limit of Yellow Perch. They are using minnows and wax worms.
Somerset County
Laurel Hill Lake was stocked with Brown Trout on October 29, 2019. The average size of the trout stocked was really nice.
Both of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) sections of Laurel Hill Creek were stocked on October 29, 2019.
The water level is down approximately 6-7 feet at Quemahoning Reservoir. Northern Pike are biting well for the few anglers who have been out pursuing them.
Anglers are catching some pickerel and bass at High Point Lake.
October 30, 2019
Central Allegheny County
Anglers are finding Duck Hollow on the Monongahela River (on the East Side, at the end of Old Browns Hill Road) to be a great fishery within the City of Pittsburgh. One angler recently caught Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Hybrid-Stripped Bass using minnows.
Northern Westmoreland County
Keystone Lake, Northmoreland Lake, and Loyalhanna Creek's Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters portion of the stream were all freshly stocked last week. For some reason the website showed postponed, but the fish were stocked.
Anglers at Northmoreland Lake were catching the fish, as soon as they were stocked, on spinners and various tackle.
Keystone Lake anglers have been catching fish on minnows and paste bait suspended from the bottom about 6 inches. The fish that were stocked were Rainbow Trout, so garlic scented baits are really working well.
Loyalhanna Creek's Delayed Harvest/ Keystone Select section is between Route 711 and Two Mile Run Road. Anglers are not allowed to use any type of bait in this section. This section right now is artificial lures only and you are not allowed to keep any trout in this section during this time of year. If you would like to harvest trout go to one of the freshly stocked lakes in the area. Anglers are reporting success on various flies, spinners, and plastic scented jig tails. The water is slightly off color, but you are still able to see the fish. Good luck out there and if you see the WCO on the water, let him know what is working for you.
Reports 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.