Let’s Get Fishin’

April 17th, 2009

Spring welcomes fishing season in the Laurel Highlands. Check out some of the latest catches in the region and share your own big fish stories.

See our YouTube video on Fly Fishing in the Laurel Highlands.


Opening day of Trout fishing begins April 18th.  Walleye season resumes May 2. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission trout stockings continue on the special regulations sections of many streams throughout the state.

Youghiogheny River
Trout is stocked well at the tailrace.

Somerset County

Quemahoning Reservoir
Crappies, including a 14-incher, have been reported to bite well on jigs and minnows. Northern pike have been hitting on shiners.

Laurel Hill Creek
The Delayed Harvest section has been producing well for fly anglers.  Hatches included stoneflies and caddisflies.

Westmoreland County

Loyalhanna Lake
Anglers have been catching crappies, mostly in small sizes (about 8 inches). One angler caught a 15-incher. Some nice bluegills and a 9-inch perch have been spotted. An 18-inch largemouth bass was also reported.

Loyalhanna Creek
Activity continued in the Delayed Harvest section, yielding nice releases of brown and rainbow trout, with a couple of trophy browns in the mix. Anglers reported productive bites during late day-early evening.

Keystone, Northmoreland lakes
Panfishing has been slower than usual for this time of year but anglers reported nice action on stocked rainbow trout on this Early Season Trout-Stocked Program waters.

We welcome your own reports of fishing conditions in the Laurel Highlands. How are water temperatures, what has been your greatest catch, and do you have any tips to share with fellow anglers?  Do you prefer, rod to fly fishing, and what are you using to bait the bite?  Submit your comments or contact us at insider@laurelhighlands.com to be a guest Angler blogger.

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