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BrownJeffreyF
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New to this
I am located in Bethel Park, PA and was hoping someone could shed some light as to easy places to go, and fish. I am looking to catch some brown trout or rainbow. I am also into bass, pike, ect. I have a kayak, a float tube, and chest waders. I also prefer to use my fly rod. I am just new to fishing in PA and looking for help as to where to go. I was thinking of Slippery Rock Creek.
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Porktown
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 09:27:14
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☄ Helpfulby TheBlueLagoon 2014/10/10 11:05:45
I'm on the other side of South Park from you. Not really many good options close & easy. The Yough is relatively close, and able to get use out of your kayak, fly rod and waders. Local clubs stock trout in the closer areas of the Yough, but you're most likely to get into smallmouth bass now. I think most of their trout don't survive the Spring stringers and Summer heat, definitely some hold overs. A further away from town, towards Ohiopyle, the state stocks with trout, and cooler waters help keep them year round. Chartiers Creek is even closer, but water quality isn't the best. It's kind of urban/suburban for most of it. There are nice stretches in USC, that are relatively undeveloped. Again, mostly warm water species. Not really big enough for kayak. Slippery Rock Creek is nice, it's used for white water kayakers, so not really advised to fish from kayak, unless you know the creek. Can wade and catch trout & smallmouth. Unless you take a vacation day or fish on the weekend, it really isn't an "easy" place to go, if you are looking to get out for an hour or two after work. Getting there after work would likely take you two hours, an hour during weekend/off traffic hours. Nashannock Creek is less than 1/2 hour past Slippery Rock Creek, and has a nice fly fish only section. Other more local places are Cannonsburg Lake (also kind of nasty, but stocked with trout) and Peter's Township Park which isn't stocked with trout, but much nicer atmosphere (less trash floating around and doesn't have as much sediment smell). Can take your kayak out and might see 1-2 other fishermen. Will see 50 joggers or hikers. You always have the Mon too. A ton of fish, but not very clean. Personally, I mostly fish Lake Arthur now days. I boat fish 90% of the time. Good wading now for largemouth and panfish and definitely a good lake to kayak. The panfish seem to be more interested in meat right now, but definitely can be had on the right streamers. I do pretty well on a bluegill fry immitation when they are really active, but quick to spit now. I fish them under a bobber with spinning gear, since my boat has too many hang up spots for my fly casting skills. With waders, you have a good bit of room to get the flyrod out. Just be careful wading back in the cove areas, there are some soft spots that you can drop down knee deep. Most of the main lake is pretty rocky though and relatively easy to wade. Basically, anything worth while is an hour drive without traffic. Most places aren't worth even trying to get to after work (especially when getting dark at 7PM).
post edited by Porktown - 2014/10/10 09:49:24
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trout man
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 11:15:16
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Hello Brown Welcome. Here are a couple places. One place to take advantage of your kayak is North Park Lake. Plenty of room. Stocked with trout, and plenty of pan fish and bass. Also you might want to try Pine creek for your wading needs. It flows out of North Park Lake all the way to the river near Etna and is stocked with trout. There is a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section, see the regs if your not familiar. Deer Park lakes, There are 3, but they are shore fishing only and get weed choked in summer. Deer Creek is fishable from Rt 910 near Gibsonia to the river in Harmer. Also stocked with trout. Also has a DHALO section. And lets not forget the 3 Rivers. Good luck and let us know how you do. Tight Lines Trout Man
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Porktown
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 11:52:21
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I clicked on your profile and I'm assuming you work out near the airport? Montour Run out by there has trout, but also much like Chartiers Creek (and much of Pine Creek), it is very suburban/urban fishery. Racoon Creek State Park (lake and I think some stream fishing) is a relatively easy jump from the airport area, and less of the urban/suburban feel to it. They stock with trout and a bunch of other species. Like all mentioned that are stocked, they are all mad houses the first few weeks of trout season. After the first few weeks clears, there are stock truck chasers, but have a bit more elbow room. North Park is great if you have kids. Racoon too. Both have playground areas to take a rest from fishing if they aren't biting.
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SpreadEagleBeagle
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 12:33:55
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Cross Creek is pretty good for bass and panfish. I don't remember ever seeing kayakers so you may want to make sure they are allowed. Healthy crappie and bass populations. There are saugeye too but I have never caught one. Probably about 45 min from you but a cleaner and more scenic fishing spot than Canonsburg or Chartiers.
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BeenThereDoneThat.
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 13:03:10
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Nice reports....... yinz all deserve big attaboyz for taking the time to answer the mans question and making me happy too. Happy (and thankful) I live outside the 'Burgh' and can be on water in any direction of any kind within a half hour and there is no traffic to speak of. Not braggin'....... just happy........ happy........ happy.
Nice to read info from real sportsman. Good fishin' to yinz.
Goooo Stellers!! Pens Too!!!
Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~ Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way.
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Porktown
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 13:26:20
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When did they put an ocean in NWPA? Ha, ha. I hear you though, fishing wise, South Hills of Pgh is pretty bad for quality water, easy to get to. North Hills & Western suburbs have many more options. When my kids are done with school, I'd love to get out of Dodge, within 10 minutes of a quality fishing lake. I don't use the city ammenities like I used to. Although being within 20 minutes of 10 highly rated hospitals and 10 minutes from any store that I could ever need is nice, not to mention a ton of job options. Also, going above I-80 is too cold for me. Heck, being between I-70 & 76 is almost too cold as it is. One more to add, Peter's Creek, although I'm not a fan of it. Some others like it, and parts of it are much more remote than Montour/Pine Creek. It's stocked by a private club, so should donate if you use a lot. The creek smells (like Montour Run, Pine Creek and Chartiers - not a fan of any of them), and a ton of string algae. There are old tires and other debris, but some holes are really nice. Depending on what part of Bethel, you can probably be on the creek in under 15 minutes. http://tcaa.peterscreek.org/ Maybe I should do some work today...
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BrownJeffreyF
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 21:52:18
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@, that is pretty awesome. I just traveled back down to North Carolina today. Your reply is amazing and very informative, I appreciate it alot! When I come back up, maybe we can link up and you could show me around? My treat for lunch or whatever we decide!! @, i will be checking that out when I get back up there! Thank you very much!!! @, I too, am happy with the answers and help!!!
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BeenThereDoneThat.
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Re: New to this
2014/10/10 23:12:01
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Porktown When did they put an ocean in NWPA? Ha, ha. I hear you though, fishing wise, South Hills of Pgh is pretty bad for quality water, easy to get to. North Hills & Western suburbs have many more options. When my kids are done with school, I'd love to get out of Dodge, within 10 minutes of a quality fishing lake. I don't use the city ammenities like I used to. Although being within 20 minutes of 10 highly rated hospitals and 10 minutes from any store that I could ever need is nice, not to mention a ton of job options. Also, going above I-80 is too cold for me. Heck, being between I-70 & 76 is almost too cold as it is. One more to add, Peter's Creek, although I'm not a fan of it. Some others like it, and parts of it are much more remote than Montour/Pine Creek. It's stocked by a private club, so should donate if you use a lot. The creek smells (like Montour Run, Pine Creek and Chartiers - not a fan of any of them), and a ton of string algae. There are old tires and other debris, but some holes are really nice. Depending on what part of Bethel, you can probably be on the creek in under 15 minutes. http://tcaa.peterscreek.org/ Maybe I should do some work today...
Ocean is about eight hours (depending on traffic (lol)) to the east. I'd live in 'burbs' of the 'Burgh' before I moved to the East Coast. All kidding aside I am fortunate in that I can be on Lake Wilhelm, Sandy Lake, Conneaut Lake, Shenango Lake, Pymatuning Lake, Shenango River, French Creek, Sandy Creek, etc. within 30 minutes. Am I bragging; no but, I sure am gloating.(and luckey(lol)). Once again you fellas deserve a 'high five' for taking the time to answer a question about where to fish.
Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~ Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way.
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mook14
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Re: New to this
2014/10/11 00:50:03
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Cross Creek is very good for a kayak see more and more of them every time I go , very good bass and panfish lake stop and see Mike at the baitshop he will point you in right direction
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