Lakes and rivers are the most productive angling during dog days of summer

This chunky bass was caught on a swimbait at Ontelaunee Reservoir in Berks County. Photo by author

As we’re in the dog days of summer, local fishing on streams and lakes is on the slow side. With high temperatures last week, stream waters were warm as were lake waters. But predicted cooler temperatures this week may perk things up. 

But according to Mike at Mike’s Bait and Tackle in Nazareth, a couple customers are doing good on the Bushkill Creek for trout using predominately minnows and crawlers, especially when the creek recedes and clears. And there’s no one else fishing so they have the stream to themselves. 

Same case for the Delaware River. Mike reports some regular customers are picking up stripers, smallmouth bass and channel cats there on live bait when the river calms down. 

Bob Danenhower of Bob’s Taxidermy and Bait Shop in Orefield, reports he’s selling lots of shiners, fatheads and crawlers for anglers hitting Leaser Lake for perch and nice largemouth bass. Muskie action has slowed as they likely went to deeper water. But a few are occasionally being picked up. As for the Little Lehigh, trout action is virtually nil except for the 42 golden rainbows that were stocked over a week ago in a portion of the stream. The trout  came from Cabela’s in Hamburg and some were in the eight-pound category. 

On the Lehigh River, the only action seems to be coming from the northern section, said Danenhower, meaning up in the Walnutport area that was stocked some time ago by the Lehigh River Stocking Association. Those trout too are looking for meat, meaning live minnows and worms. 

Chris from Chris’ Bait & Tackle in Mertztown, said Ontelaunee Reservoir has slowed a bit but some regulars there are picking up nice largemouths on weedless lures and swim baits as the lily pads are quite thick and you have really have to work for them. Others are throwing shiners. Some snakeheads are being caught while fishing for bass. 

Over at Blue Marsh Lake, largemouth bass action has been good on plastic lures and bait. 

Up at Lake Wallenpaupack, Rick said smallmouth action there is phenomenal. He caught and released 25 smallmouths last week in one day alone from his boat. Striper action has slowed as they went deep, but some boat anglers are picking a few on live trout using downriggers. Back in spring Rick caught one weighing 18.7 pounds. 

Smallmouth fishing is good on the Schuylkill River from boat and from shore. One buddy had 27 smallies in one day on artificials. This river is underfished and is a gem for smallies in particular.

SALTWATER ACTION

If you’re planning a vacation trip to the Jersey shore, be advised the fluke action is doing good in the river and on the rocks and reefs. There are blues and bass to be had as well according to our reporters from On the Water Magazine. Here’s but a sampling of what’s hot at the shore. 

Rick Hebert, at Tackle World in Rochelle Park, said fluke are biting in all the usual spots but you have to weed through a lot of shorts. He has reports of bigger fish on the reefs farther south. 

Capt. Phil Sciortino, at the Tackle Box in Hazlet, said big fluke are on the bite. One customer hooked an 11-pounder off the rough bottom using Fishermen’s Choice salmon strips. There are also plenty of bluefish in Raritan Bay and from the Keansburg Pier. He added that crabbing is also good in the Naversink River. 
 
​

---