Fish Species
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Fishing Creek is all about trout. The upper portion of the creek has enough large wild brown to be considered a Class A Wild Trout Stream and is not stocked. There is a hatchery in Tylersville, and the state stocks the creek south of there, particularly in the designated Trophy Trout Project areas. You'll also find some brook trout.
Locations and Water Flows
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There is an unposted stretch that runs through state game lands, but many of the access points are through private property. Park in homemade pull-offs along the roadway, and follow the paths to the creek. Some owners impose no trespassing rules on Sundays. North of Tylersville, the water is very shallow and dries up in places during the summer. The tree-lined "narrows," accessible from State Road 2002, is the most popular area. The stretch from Lamar to Mill Hall has less fishing pressure, and the creek runs through farms.
Insect Hatches
Dense insect hatches mean consistent trout rises. Early season hatches include Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, Grannom Caddis, Green Drakes and terrestrials. Summer brings Slate Drakes, Sulphurs, Light Cahills and Cinnamon and Green Caddis, as well as terrestrials, including grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. Consult the lists at Fly Fishing Connection and Central Pa Fly Fishing (see References).
Fishing Reports
Because Fishing Creek is an isolated valley, its weather often is different than that at nearby streams. It does not have a U.S. Geological Survey monitoring station on it, so check the unofficial fishing reports on the Internet or contact one of the fly shops in State College.
Pennsylvania Laws
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All of Fishing Creek is subject to Pennsylvania License laws. A total of five miles, in three separate sections, is subject to special regulation. Trophy Trout Project regulations apply on the 0.9 miles south of the Tylersville Fish Culture Station and 2.1 miles near the lower bridge on State Road 2002 to the Lamar Fish Hatchery. Catch and Release regulations apply to two miles between the upper and lower State Road 2002 bridges.
