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What
is a Panfish?
The definition of
panfish varies from state to state, region to region. For our
purposes, we will only address the species that are generally considered
panfish in Pennsylvania. They include:
bluegills
carp
pumpkinseed
sunfish brown
bullhead
red ear
sunfish
black bullhead
black crappie
rock bass
white crappie
white bass
yellow
perch
suckers
white
perch
catfish
Of these, white crappy,
white perch, white bass, and black bullhead are species that generally live west of the
Appalachians and are not normally found in Pike County.
Although the name
panfish was derived by the fact that most of these species are small and
can be easily cooked whole or filleted in a frying pan, the Fish and
Boat Commission still considers members of the catfish family to be
panfish. Channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish commonly exceed 10 pounds in size. However, most are caught when
they weigh less than 3 pounds.
Why fish
for panfish?
Panfish are
much maligned by many fishermen. Yet, if one looks past the snobbery
of trout fishing, and the technology of bass fishing, fishing for panfish
can provide much of the same thrills at a fraction of the cost. The
problem with panfish is that they are a fish of the proletariat.
They care not whether you are fishing with a thousand dollar fly rod or a
three dollar cane pole. When hungry they will hit royal coachman or
a garden worm. They don't even seem to care how much experience you
might have, swimming past the experts bait and taking a
child's.
7 Reasons to
pursue panfish ...
1.
Relaxation: Unlike trout and bass fishing, you need only put into
it the amount of effort you desire. You may choose to cast a fly
line or work a spinner around some weeds - or, just put on a bobber and
bait and rest the rod on a forked stick.
2. Low
start up costs: There is no need for a $20,000 fully equipped boat
and a thousand dollars in rods and tackle. The start up panfish
angler could begin with a hand line, hook, and worm. Most anglers
would opt for more equipment. Some even buy $20,000 fully equipped
boats. But, it is by choice and not necessity.
3. Ample
opportunity: Everywhere in Pike County is within one mile of a
body of water that contains panfish.
4. Tasty: No need to elaborate.
5. No
guilt: While trout and bass fisherman argue over "catch and
release" versus taking fish for food, the prolific nature of
panfish make the point moot. In fact, many waters are suffering
from an over abundance of panfish depressing bass size and numbers due
to excessive competition for food.
6. Family
fun: Fishing for panfish is fun for the old an young alike.
It is especially good for families with young children as most kids get
more fun by catching 15 "sunnies" than "not
catching" trout.
7. Fishing
skills tune up: Since you can fish for panfish using the same
techniques as you would for trout, bass or walleye, you can practice
your techniques before the season starts, or in the case of trout, when
the weather is too warm for good trout fishing.
America is
coming back to fishing for panfish. Recently a nationwide crappie
fishing tournament tour (Crappiethon) has been established in a
manner similar to the Bassmasters. Carp (always a top game fish in
Europe) are now being pursued by fly fishermen on western
reservoirs. Fishing charters throughout the South are specializing
in catfish. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, too, has
recognized the value of panfish by designating certain waters (two of
which are in Pike County) to be managed for trophy panfish. And,
serious panfish tournaments are being held on Lake Wallepaupack.
Where to
find panfish?
Generally
speaking, Pike County's panfish are found mostly in lakes and ponds
although there are exceptions. Yellow perch, catfish, suckers, carp,
and rock bass may be found in the Delaware River. Suckers may be
found in any free flowing stream with an adequate supply of water in the
summer. Of course, many anglers have been surprised by where they
have found panfish. Perch have been caught in the Lackawaxen
River. Sunfish have been caught in the Lackawaxen River as well as
in the Shohola Creek. While catching panfish may occasionally occur
in a trout stream, those fishing for panfish would be better off going to the
nearest pond.
Panfish
Hotspots
There are
many great panfish waters in Pike County. Unfortunately, not all of
them are open to the public. The following is a list of a few of the
top panfish
waters that are open to public fishing.
1. Lake
Wallenpaupack - has just about everything. Species available
include bluegills and other sunfish, rock bass, bullheads and catfish,
yellow perch, black crappie, and carp.
Tip - Fish
for rock bass along rocky shoreline in 2 to 4 feet deep water. Use
small worms, meal worms, grubs, or 1 inch minnows for bait. Good
lures are flies (wet or dry), poppers, small spinners or spinner baits
(fished slowly). These fish are very territorial. If the
fish hits but does not get hooked, casting back to the same spot will
usually result in another hit. Daytime fishing is good and fishing
action is less affected by direct sun or lots of chop. Nightfall
increases the action and can produce a lot of fun for those using a fly
rod and poppers.
Tip - The
best fishing for sunfish and bluegills is around the numerous docks that
encircle the lake. Especially productive are those that enter into
deeper water at the head of the lake where trophy fish 1/2 to 1 pound
are regularly caught. Remember, while the shoreline is open to
all, the docks are private property. Ask permission first.
2. Shohola
Lake - This thousand acre impoundment is a panfish paradise!
Species available include bluegills and other sunfish, black crappie,
and yellow perch. Although there is a lot of shoreline, much of it is
very brushy. The near shore areas are fairly shallow and the muddy
bottom makes wading tough. Therefore it is recommended that shore
fishing be limited to the areas near the boat launch and dam. Boat
fishing is the preferred way to fish Shohola Lake. The lake is
limited to electric motors only but with the lake's narrowness and three
launches, canoes and row boats are equally at home.
Tip -
While fishing is usually good all day, large (1/2 to 3/4 pound) sunfish
feed heavily starting about an hour before sun down. Worms, small
minnows, grubs, and meal worms make good baits. Dry flies and
poppers are good artificials. Shohola Lake is shallow, stumpy, and
very weedy. Avoid deep diving lures, most spinners, and anything
that is not weedless!
Tip - As
the sun goes down, the bullheads come out. Tie off to a
stump. Use short casts around the boat to avoid stump tangles.
Best bait - worms. Bring enough, you will need them!
Bonus -
Shohola Lake was the first place that Pennsylvania chose to reintroduce
bald eagles. Watch for these grand birds especially in the early
morning and before dusk. Click
here for more on Shohola's eagles!
Bonus -
Shohola Lake has picnic facilities and an improved trail to a lookout
point to
see Shohola Falls (one of the nicest in Pennsylvania). Its a great
place to bring the family.
Warning -
Shohola Lake is in Pennsylvania Gamelands (public hunting lands).
The land was purchased and developed for hunting with money generated by
hunting license fees and excise taxes on hunting equipment. The
lake was built especially for duck hunting. While the public is
invited to use the grounds, remember, hunters have priority and interfering
with the hunters is a violation of state law. Caution should be
exercised when fishing in October, November, and December.
3. Promised
Land State Park - Both the upper lake and the lower lake are
currently in the state's Panfish Enhancement program. Special
regulations are in effect for yellow perch, bluegills and other
sunfish. Other species available include bullheads and channel
catfish.
Bonus -
Another great place to take the family with boat rentals, picnic
facilities and a beach.
Bonus -
Eagles now nest along the lake in sight of the boat launch. Click
here for more about Pike County's eagles.
4. Greeley
Lake - With access limited to a small boat launch, boat fishing is a
necessity. No gasoline motors. Species available include
sunfish, crappie, and bullheads. Large pumpkinseed sunfish may be
taken with small minnows.
5. Delaware
River - While usually targeted for trout, shad, smallmouths, and
walleye, the Delaware does offer good fishing for some species of
panfish. Species available include catfish, bullheads, yellow
perch, suckers, carp, sunfish, and rock bass.
Tip - Fish
for catfish at the head of large pools so the bait's scent drifts down
the pool.
Tip -
Suckers may be visually located by wading along pools just above
riffles. Best bait - worms, but be sure to bury the hook.
Tip - Carp
may be found in pools throughout the river. Good places to start
looking are the deep pools around bridge abutments.
6. Lackawaxen
River - Another trout hotspot that can provide good sucker
fishing. Best spots, pools with slower current.
7. Community
lakes and ponds - While not generally open to the public, many Pike
County residents and visitors have access to the lakes and ponds within
the private community. While the quality of bass and trout fishing
may vary, most are under-fished panfish hotspots. When given a choice,
try a small pond as they often allow the best shore fishing and the
least interference from other users. Especially good fishing may
be had in Gold Key Lakes, Sunrise Lakes, Conashaugh Lakes, Hemlock
Farms, Wild Acres Lakes, Twin Lakes, Walker Lake, just to name a few.
Best
Baits & Lures
Panfish eat
just about anything! However, certain baits are used more commonly
for certain species. Sometimes it is because the fish prefer the the
particular bait. Sometimes it is because the fishermen prefer to use
the particular bait. Don't be afraid to experiment. Pieces of
Slim Jims, bananas, and even leaves have been known to catch fish at
times. However, the following is a list of commonly used baits by
species:
Bluegills
and Other Sunfish -
worms,
grubs, meal worms, most any insect especially crickets and small
grasshoppers, small salamanders, small minnows
small
pieces of hotdog, corn, small dough balls, small pieces of cheese
dry flies,
wet flies, small spinners, poppers, small rapalas, plastic grubs,
Black
Crappies -
small
minnows, small worms especially when given motion, grubs, crickets and
small grasshoppers, small salamanders
wet flies,
small streamers, small jigs, plastic grubs, rapalas up to 4 inches,
spinners, any small minnow imitation
Yellow
Perch -
small minnows, worms
especially when trolled or retrieved, crickets and small grasshoppers
wet flies, streamers,
small rapalas, any small minnow imitation
Carp -
Worms, minnows,
insects, crayfish, meat from shellfish, salamanders,
chunks of fish, corn,
pieces of hotdog, shrimp, peas, cheese, dough balls, salmon eggs
difficult to catch on
artificial lures.
Brown Bullhead
-
worms, minnows,
crickets and grasshoppers, insects, crayfish, meat from shellfish,
salamanders
small pieces of hotdog,
corn, dough balls, cheese, salmon eggs, chunks of fish,
difficult to catch on
artificial lures
Catfish -
worms, minnows,
crickets and grasshoppers, insects, crayfish, meat from shellfish,
salamanders
pieces of
hotdog, corn, dough balls, cheese, salmon eggs, chunks of fish, chicken
livers, commercially prepared stink baits
difficult
to catch on artificial lures
Suckers
-
worms,
small minnows, crickets and small grasshoppers, insects, meat from
shellfish
small
pieces of hotdog, corn, small dough balls, small pieces of cheese,
salmon eggs, small chunks of fish
bead head
nymphs, wet flies
Rock
Bass -
small
minnows, worms, grubs, meal worms, crickets and grasshoppers, insects,
small salamanders
small
pieces of hotdog, small dough balls,
dry flies,
wet flies, small streamers, poppers, small rapalas, spinners, any small
minnow imitations
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