With the new year comes the need for the new fishing licenses and permits. Adults are required to be in possession of a 2019 fishing license and the appropriate permits to fish in Pennsylvania waters. Get details at fishandboat.com.
Lake Erie and tributaries (Erie County) Big brown trout and fresh silver bullets were landed throughout Pennsylvania’s narrow strip of Steelhead Alley. The final hours of 2018 brought heavy rain and blowout conditions to the Lake Erie tribs. Since then flow rates were dropping and little chance of precipitation was expected through the weekend. A few hookups were reported in the deepest pools. Fly anglers drifted single egg patterns, while salmon eggs and skein worked best on bait hooks. James Swearingen of Windgap released hook-jawed browns at Elk and Walnut creeks, while in the bay anglers reported yellow perch and a few walleye were taken from the north and south piers.
Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County) A brief December ice-over was too thin for fishing. Since then some boaters trolling spoons or crankbaits reported good walleye fishing, while others described a lull. Shore anglers took bluegills and yellow perch.
Allegheny River (Forest County) Walleye and muskies were taken by boaters and shore anglers. A muskellunge estimated at 50 inches was hooked, fought and ultimately lost near Tionesta.
Tionesta Creek (Forest County) Muskellunge, walleye and yellow perch were caught by anglers fishing from the wall at the outflow.
Allegheny River (Armstrong County) With water temperatures in the 30s, good fishing was reported throughout the lower Allegheny region. Soft plastics and tubes attracted many sublegal walleye, but some were taken in excess of 24 inches. Keystone Connection Guide Service reported averaging 20 to 30 walleye per trip.
Ohio River (Beaver County) Walleye were caught from shore below the Montgomery Locks and Dam.
Yellow Creek Lake (Indiana County) Brown trout were pulled from the churn immediately below the dam.
Twin Lakes (Westmoreland County) The recent warm spell brought out the anglers and good trout fishing was reported. Bobbers and bait, pastes in a variety of colors and tipped jigs were hot.
Indian Lake (Westmoreland County) Trout were caught on paste baits and live minnows.
Loyalhanna Creek (Westmoreland County) Good-size trout went for live bait above the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area, and Trout Worms were effective in the special regulations stretch.
Virgin Run Lake (Fayette County) Trout went for mealworms under bobbers.
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First Published: January 3, 2019, 10:51 p.m.
