Many boaters have been taking advantage of nice weather.  Water levels on the Susquehanna River have been decent which has allowed boaters plenty of freedom of movement.  Now is a good time to get out and see changes in the river channel since last year. 

If you have a blue ‘13 on the registration sticker it’s time to renew.  Don't forget to put that new registration sticker on the boat before you head out!

Zachary Fitzgerald with an outstanding carp caught in the Chemung River near Sayre

Carbon County

A number of anglers fishing the Bowmanstown Pool off the East Penn Boat Launch at the Lehigh River have been catching nice size brown and rainbow trout, some measuring up to 26 inches.  This section of the river received a trout stocking by a local club for a lunker contest held last weekend.  Although, the river had received a good amount of fishing pressure as a result of the contest, there appears to be a good amount of trout left over from the stocking.  

Mauch Chunk Creek also received a trout stocking during the weekend by a local club for a trout derby held last weekend.  This stream also received a good amount of fishing pressure but there are still plenty of trout left over from the stocking.

Anglers fishing the other approved trout waters in the district were doing well catching and seeing trout.  Fly anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek have been doing well catching trout on various sections of the creek. 

Bass action (catch & release only) has been productive on both Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake.  Striped Bass have been active near the dam breast area of the lake in recent weeks.  

As the Memorial Day weekend is approaching, the boating activity will be increasing on Beltzville Lake.  Please take the time to check all the necessary boating equipment on board your watercraft such as PFDs (personal flotation devices), fire extinguisher (if required) sound producing device and any other necessary equipment including a current registration if required.  In addition to the required equipment on your watercraft, please be sure that the equipment is in serviceable condition.  May 18 - 24 is Safe Boating Week.  Don’t become a statistic because you didn’t wear your PFD.  Wear your PFD and encourage others to as well.  Take the Pledge, Wear It Pennsylvania.

Northern Pike County

Anglers have been catching lots of bluegill, perch and bass at Lake Wallenpaupack.  Striper anglers have also been doing fairly well but walleye fishing has been slow.

Anglers at Shohola Lake were doing very well catching panfish, crappies and bass.

Bass anglers are reminded that bass season is closed until June 15th.  All bass fishing is catch and immediate release only until then.

Boaters are reminded to be safe while boating this weekend.

Although the in-season trout stockings have been completed in the district anglers were still seeing and catching a good number of trout on most of the approved trout waters.  Live bait such as minnows, paste baits and spinners have been effective on a number of different approved trout waters.   Nesquehoning Creek recently received a trout stocking by a local club for a fishing event last weekend.  Fishing pressure on most waters has been light due to the recent rainy and cooler weather. 

Anglers were catching nice size bass (catch & release only) at both Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake.  A few pickerel measuring 24 inches have been caught from shore at Beltzville Lake near the Preachers Camp boat access area.  Crappie action remained good at Mauch Chunk Lake along the north shore of the lake just west of the swimming area.  

As the boating season is about to begin and before venturing out onto water, take the time to check all the necessary boating equipment on board your watercraft such as PFDs (personal flotation devices), fire extinguisher (if required) sound producing device and any other necessary equipment including a current registration if required.  May 18 - 24 is Safe Boating Week.  Don’t become a statistic because you didn’t wear your PFD.  Wear your PFD and encourage others as well.  Take the Pledge, Wear It Pennsylvania.

Lackawanna County

Fishing has been sporadic at best over the past week and there's anybody's guess on what the recent cold snap will bring. 

Catch rates at the PA American Water Company Reservoirs have really not taken off yet.  Occasionally the bluegills really turn on but no real success stories to write about. 

The fishing at Lackawanna Lake has been similar and a few nice crappies and blue gills have been caught over the past week.  Boating activity has been almost non-existent but better days are ahead.

A few nice trout were caught at the Roaring Brook and South Branch Tunkhannock over the past week.  Anglers can still catch a limit of trout behind the Lackawanna State Park Lake in the spillway.  Pinhead bait might just do the trick.

Monroe County

The Lehigh River and Tobyhanna Creek were recently stocked and anglers were having good success catching brown trout on a variety of natural and artificial baits.

DCNR Forester Tim Bakos assisted with the stocking at the Bushkill on May 15th. Tim had a small stocking tank attached to the pickup and he helped ensure that the trout were spread out along the stream. A big thank you to Tim and all of the volunteers for their help stocking!

Northern Pike County

Anglers were having good success catching crappies and pickerel using natural baits at smaller impoundments.

Susquehanna County

Water levels have risen at Quaker Lake and several nice sized largemouth bass and bluegill have been seen from the Commission dock.

Water temperatures have remained relatively cold. Even though it is not required this time of year, boaters are encouraged to wear their life jackets. A disoriented swimmer who was recently encountered did not know his name, where he came from, or his birth date. The water temperature was 63 degrees.

Southern Wayne County

Anglers were having good success catching crappies and pickerel using natural baits at smaller impoundments.

Anglers targeting walleye on the upper Susquehanna River & Chemung River had some success but said that water conditions were not optimal.  Some May rain might change that.

It’s a good idea to go over your boating equipment thoroughly before heading out to your favorite water.  A few minutes of checks could prevent a major problem out on the water.  Ensure PFDs are in serviceable condition, check fire extinguishers as needed and make sure you have all of the necessary equipment to enjoy your day.

Carbon County

The fishing pressure has remained light to moderate on most of the streams even though the majority of the approved trout waters have received an in-season trout stocking.  Most streams were flowing low and clear.  Anglers using live bait (minnows and waxworms), paste bait and spinners had the most success catching trout.  Anglers fishing the Lehigh River near Bowmanstown did well catching trout. Stick baits and spinners were effective on the river.  

A few anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake caught nice size crappies.  Live minnows were the bait of choice.  Bass (catch and release) and Pickerel action remained good at Mauch Chunk Lake. 

A number of striped bass and walleye were caught in Beltzville Lake near the upper reaches of the Pohopoco Creek and Wild Creek bay area of the lake.  

Anglers and boaters are reminded that although the regulatory buoys such as Slow No Wake, Ski Area are not in place on Beltzville Lake, the regulations pertaining to the slow no wake and water ski area are in effect and enforced.  Maps are located at each boat launch indicating the regulated areas of the lake.  

A basic boating class will be held at Beltzville Lake on May 14th and May 16th from 6 pm to 10 pm each night at the Beltzville Environmental Interpretive Center.  There is no charge for the course, but all participants must pre-register by contacting the Park Office (610) 377-0045 and attend both sessions.  The boating safety education course is required for all operators of a Personal Watercraft (PWC) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 that operates a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower.       

Lackawanna County

What a difference a week makes.  Warmer weather this past week has created better fishing conditions as plenty of pickerel, blue gills and even the black crappies were starting to bite across the area lakes and ponds.

If you’re a trout angler, plenty of trout were caught on Monday (May 6th) in the Roaring Brook.  The Roaring Brook was stocked in Dunmore and through Scranton with brook and brown trout.  The fish were above average size. 

There are still plenty of trout in the South Branch Tunkhannock and Lackawanna Rivers as well.

Remember a trout stamp is required to fish in approved trout waters (until the end of May), whether you intend to keep any trout.

Manny Gorden Pond in McDade Park, Scranton is also loaded with trout.  The pond was stocked for youth 12 years old and younger through the cooperative nursery program partnership with the Fish & Boat Commission.  Young anglers have had much success over the past week.

It might be time to start thinking about getting your boat ready for the upcoming Memorial weekend.  Make sure all the required safety equipment is on board and is in good serviceable condition and that your registration is current.  Registration renewals can be done online at the Fish & Boat Commission's website.

Northern Luzerne & Northern Columbia Counties

Fish have been biting all over the district.  Crappies were being pulled from Harveys Lake (concentrate on the structure and the inlet).  Nice bluegill and perch have also been caught around the district. 

Harris Pond has started producing some decent bluegill as well. 

Area Approved Trout Waters are still being stocked and in most of them we are putting fish on top of others already there.

Monroe County

Anglers were out in large numbers this past weekend.  The sunny and mild days brought them out in record numbers and even a few boaters were out on kayaks.  Most people seemed to be going for trout with mealworms or regular worms.

Southern Pike & Northeastern Monroe Counties

Shad fishing has been incredible in the district. I have seen a lot of schools of shad at various locations under patrol boat. There was a heavy run of shad on the Delaware River from Bushkill Boat Ramp all the way up to Milford Beach Boat Ramp.

Also more good news, The National Park Service has received contributions and Milford Beach will no longer be closing.

Water flow is low for this time of year but with multiple days of rain in the immediate forecast this should help the situation. Water temperature was at 61 degrees and anglers were taking full advantage of another great shad run.

Northern Wayne County

In-season trout stocking is in full swing.  The streams are full of stocked trout.

Junior Kenyon helps stock Equinunk Creek

The bluegill fishing has been sporadic.  Large crappies were hitting light colored jigs near structure in Prompton Dam.  Chain pickerel were hitting live bait at Miller Pond. An occasional bass has been caught as well.

Becky McKenrick with a large crappie

Chad McKenrick sports a largemouth bass

Southern Wayne County

Anglers were having great success fishing at Fairview Lake and West Branch Wallenpaupack Creek using a variety of natural and artificial baits.  The fish were very cooperative and the water temperature was 60-61 degrees.

Wyoming County

Trout fishing continued throughout the area.  In-season stockings in the county are scheduled to conclude this Thursday. 

Lots of anglers were on the Susquehanna River over the weekend.  Some caught a lot of fish but others said they did not have much luck.  River conditions were good although slightly low for the time of year.  Lots of panfish were caught throughout the area.