Fishing report: Dutch Fork Lake is hot spot for trout
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• Trout season has kicked off across the state, and few areas are seeing as many bites as Dutch Fork Lake, with reports indicating high catch rates for the lake.
• Another hot spot appears to be Lake Wilma. Spinner baits or spoons typically make for a solid option as bait for lake trout.
• In Allegheny County, the Allegheny River is yielding a variety of fish, including smallmouth bass, catfish and carp. The catfish are biting at chicken liver. Minnows are working well as bait for the bass and carp.
• Harbor Acres Lake receives an annual stocking of trout and is open to all anglers. When fishing for trout, spoons and spinner baits make for a decent approach.
• The Shenango Reservoir is hosting a solid population of panfish. However, the reservoir is labeled as a panfish enhancement area, which means crappie catches must be at least 9 inches in length as the creel limit on the fish also drops to 20.
• The Allegheny River in Forest County is teeming with northern pike or muskellunge, with anglers reporting successful casts from boats and from the shore. Fishermen also say they are reeling in solid numbers of muskellunge, and even a few northern pike, in the area where the Allegheny River meets Council Run.
• At Tionesta Lake, the crappie, yellow perch and bluegill are all biting. Anglers are reporting promising rates of success when casting off Nebraska Bridge.
• Browns Creek is shaping up to be a productive spot for anglers to visit as plenty of fish are being caught on brightly colored spinners.
• Muskellunge are still biting from time to time at Pigeon Creek, according to reports. As far as bait goes, small spinner baits, jigs and topwaters would be solid options.
• At Kahle Lake, fishermen are doing well with bluegills, yellow perch and crappie. Live baits such as crickets or worms should garner some attention from the bluegill, and minnows typically do well with yellow perch. Artificial baits probably will be more effective for the crappie.
• The section of the Allegheny River that runs through Clarion County is offering up smallmouth bass to anglers fishing its waters. While the bass are being found throughout the river, there are northern pike and musky sightings near the river’s confluence with Redbank Creek.
• While steelhead are typically rrare sight in April, a few catches are being reported in Elk Creek.
• At Presque Isle Bay, anglers are reporting panfish and largemouth bass catches in large numbers. The best fishing, according to reports, is happening in Misery Bay.