The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is slated to stock the following lakes today: Upper and Lower Twin, Indian, Donegal and Laurel Hill. On Tuesday, Northmoreland, Keystone and Upper and Middle Deer lakes were stocked. For a statewide schedule, visit www.fishandboat.com
Lake Erie: With 10 inches of snow on the ground yesterday morning and more snow forecasted, angling pressure had tapered off, although streams were in good shape and there were plenty of scattered steelhead to target. The lakefront was too rough to fish. Numbers of steelhead up to 11 1/2 pounds were reported in recent days. Kenneth Rouser of Slippery Rock landed an 11-pounder on an egg pattern in Twelve Mile Creek Sunday. Mike Gray of New Castle caught an 11-pounder on a minnow on Walnut Creek, Saturday. In Presque Isle Bay, steelhead were hitting at the marina and the waterworks, spots which also were beginning to yield some perch.
Allegheny River (Warren County): Walleyes were hitting in the river, and a few were coming in the lake this week. Smallmouth bass fishing was still good in the river and the lake, with fish up to 17 inches reported. Brown and rainbow trout were reported below the Kinzua Dam. A few northern pike were picked up in the river.
Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): A little early morning skim ice was reported along the edges of the back bays. Anglers were catching dandy crappies off the marina until the frigid weather hit.
Lake Arthur (Butler County): Although cold weather was expected to spur action on walleyes, few anglers were fishing this week. Bob Sarnese of Prospect reported catching a few crappies Wednesday, but none of exceptional size. A little skim ice reported along the edges of the back bays in the predawn hours was gone by 10 a.m.
Allegheny River: The cold snap has put a dent on angling pressure. Before the downturn in weather, nice-size walleyes were reported, along with a few saugers and the occasional smallmouth bass. Neutral and dark color tubes and twister tails were producing best for walleyes.
Monongahela River: A couple of anglers targeting walleyes reported some success at the Charleroi Dam.
Ohio River: Few anglers were on the river this week, and Andy Nguyen continued to catch large walleyes targeting white water with shiners. A few white bass also were reported.
Youghiogheny River, Meadow Run (Fayette County): Fly anglers were hitting the river with nymphs such as Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears (14, 16) and little Black Stoneflies (16, 18), as well as egg patterns, crayfish and streamers. On calm, overcast days, anglers might try little Blue-Winged Olives or BWO emergers (18, 20). Meadow Run was holding nice trout this week. The Youghiogheny Reservoir was extremely low.
Spring Creek (Centre County): Low, clear conditions prevailed Wednesday, and Tan Caddis (16) were hatching sporadically, along with small Blue-Winged Olives (22, 24). Anglers were fishing Green Weenies, Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears nymphs and Zebra midges. Anglers were urged to avoid disturbing spawning brown trout and their beds.
Little Juniata River (Blair County): Low flow was reported Wednesday, and anglers were nymphing with Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears and Green Weenies, or stripping streamers by the banks. Anglers were urged to avoid disturbing spawning brown trout and their beds. For more on these and other central PA streams, visit www.tcoflyfishing.com.
Raystown Lake (Huntingdon County): Striped bass were hitting in the upper end of the lake near Lake Raystown Resort and above. This week, as for much of the past year, smaller stripers 8 to 10 pounds were most plentiful, although some bigger fish were caught, too. Although striped bass become semi-dormant in cold weather, lake trout get active. Lake trout were very catchable this week from marker 10 to the breast of the dam. Sizes ranged from 2 to 12 pounds in 30 to 40 , with 35 feet the best depth. Water was running very clear and about 48 degrees in recent days. A few anglers were still targeting bass, although fishing pressure has lightened considerably.
Report your catch to fishingreport@post-gazette.com. Include angler's name, age (if he or she is a child), place of residence, species, size, body of water, date of catch and phone number (not for publication). Publish your digital fishing photos at www.post-gazette.com/sports/huntingfishing.