Fishing Report For Lake Marburg, PA

Current Report: Good

Thanks to an abundance of white perch in the lake, largemouth bass grow quickly - and to monster size. 5-lb to 7-lb bass are not uncommon, and locals report an occasional 10 pounder being caught.

FALL. Now that late Fall taking over, bass are moving out of shallow coves and shallow bays, following schools of baitfish back into 4 to 16 feet of water. They stage on weed lines, docks, drop-offs, rocky points, stump fields and the outside edges of flats that fall into the main channel. Currently jerkbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, artificial worms, spoons and jigs are catching most of the bass. Later in Fall, as deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons, jigs and drop shots are often good choices in 12 to 18 feet of water.

WINTER. Winter will isolate largemouth around slightly deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. They can be found from 12 to 24 feet deep, around main-lake channel edges, rock piles, stump fields and brush piles. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations are key to getting bites. On warmer days, especially during late afternoons, bass may move shallower to feed.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water nearby spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 2 to 8 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 2 to 5 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water, around 10 to 20 feet deep. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms, jigs, worms, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they will be caught in 2 to 8 feet of water, on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on shad, herring, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 10 to 22 feet deep. Some of the best reports seem to be from anglers fishing around steep rock, under docks, deep wood, humps, and channel breaks.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Perch make for an excellent fish fry, and locals report the lake is loaded with fat perch. These are also a steady food source for bass, pike and muskie.

FALL. Late Fall finds yellow perch feeding in 10 to 30 feet of water. Later in the season, they begin to migrate toward Winter holding areas. Spoons, ice jigs, and jigs tipped with minnows are catching quality white perch, according to reports by locals. These perch are growing to good size due to fertile water and plenty of vegetation and cover.

WINTER. The cold of winter drives perch deeper again in search of food and stable water conditions. Perch often feed in 20 to 45 of water, in the main basin, this time of year. In winter, ice fishing for perch is a popular sport for local anglers. Good catches are being reported using minnows, spoons, and jigs tipped with nightcrawlers.

SPRING. Perch spawn in Spring when the water temperature warms to the mid 50's and mid 60's. Docks, bridges, vegetation, trees and brush all attract white perch in search of a meal. Anglers catch them 2 to 8 feet of water, using spinnerbaits, spinners, minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Late Spring finds perch in 8 to 18 feet of water, on flats and points.

SUMMER. Fat white perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in 8 to 25 feet of water. Seek them out around drop-offs and areas with submerged vegetation. Later in Summer they tend to stay suspended schools along the main channel edges, and near structure breaks.

Current Report: Fair To Good

Cut bait, nightcrawlers and chicken livers (along with a variety of prepared baits) all work well here at Lake Marburg. Locals are catching catfish from Flat Rock Boat Launch area, all the way to the islands. Spring to mid Summer, and again in Fall, are some of the best time of year to catch channel cats.

FALL. Fall is one of the better times of year for catching channel catfish. Early in Fall they cruise the 8 to 12 feet deep shallows, in search of food. Creek channels leading into coves and pockets are a good place to concentrate. Later, in the season they migrate away from the shallows and current, to moderately deep flats and channel edges on the main body of the lake. They can typically be found from 15 to 25 feet deep. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Drift fishing or slow-trolling baits along mid-depth structure is popular and generally productive. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup. Use cut bait, nightcrawlers, shrimp or prepared baits. They remain in these areas and feed aggressively in preparation for Winter.

WINTER. In Winter, the channel cats gather in deep holes and go virtually dormant, especially if water cools into the 40's. They hole up in pockets, deeper channels, ledges, and the basin areas from 20 to 40 feet deep and await warmer water. Slow presentations, especially cut bait, can still entice strikes. Often during mid day, through the afternoon, anglers are catching them a bit shallower on the same structure.

SPRING. In Spring, when water temperatures rise into the high 40's, channel catfish start their migration into coves and up river. Early in the season, look for them in 8 to 12 feet of water, 15 to 20 feet deep during the day. They hold here, and feed aggressively, around relatively shallow cover until water warms into the mid 70's, at which time they begin the spawn process. Anglers are using slip sinkers, 3-way rigs, or Carolina rigs to get, and keep, the bait close to the bottom. Later in Spring, focus on shallower flats into late evening.

SUMMER. In Summer, slow-moving water, at the river end of the lake may draw catfish to feed. Otherwise they are scattering, locating cover in slightly cooler water. Reports indicate the most successful anglers are using nightcrawlers, cut bait, minnows or shrimp. Most channel cats hold in 20 to 30 feet during the day, and 12 to 15 feet during the night. Fishing from late in the day until midnight produces some of the best results, as this is their prime feeding time.