Fishing Report For Pinchot Lake, PA

Current Report: Good To Very Good

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has designated Pinchot Lake as a Big Bass Lake. Length and creel limits have improved chances for catching more quality bass, and an occasional trophy fish. With water temperatures in the high 70's, bass have completed the spawn and are aggressively searching for food. They are being caught primarily off shore on points, ledges and creek channels, but they still move shallow for short periods. Bass here feed on gizzard shad, alewives, small sunfish and crawfish. Soon, they will move deeper as the water warms, and feed on shad in the deepest water available. Several lures are catching nice largemouth bass here, with small swimbaits working at all depths, vibrating jigs and crankbaits are effective shallow, jerkbaits are getting bites just away from shore and wacky-rigged stick worms are catching wary bass from shallow to 25 feet.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Crappie fishing is at its peak right now, and the best fishing should last through the Summer. Expect to find crappie in 3 to 6 feet of water. Docks, brush, wood and deep vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Once the spawn is over, and the hot Summer sun warms the shallows, crappie retreat to deeper water, but still hang around cover. Light tackle with 4 lb to 8 lb line is ideal.

Current Report: Fair To Good

With water temperatures in the high 70's, hybrid striped bass are hanging out in the main body of the lake, feeding on shad. Jigs tipped with minnows or a variety of plastics, have been catching wipers for anglers fishing both from the bank, or from a boat. Swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, spoons, live bait and cut bait are all effective here for these wipers. Use electronics and fish finders to locate both bait and hybrid striped bass schools.