South Hills Winter Fishing

Hello all. First I want to thank everyone here for their knowledge and helping me have the best year of fishing I've ever had. I have been lurking around this forum and I have just had a blast learning and putting things into practice.

With that said, I don't want the fishing to end just because it's gotten a little cold. Does anyone have some input or thoughts on bank fishing in the South Hills area during the winter? Obviously we aren't seeing any ice anytime soon and I'm stuck on the bank doing what I can.

I am thinking about going to Cross Creek this weekend and fishing the dam end of the lake because it seems to be much deeper than the bait shop end. I am thinking that the water temps have dropped and the fish have moved to that deeper water. Perhaps I am wrong. 

If anyone has any thoughts on a direction to take for fishing over the next few months I would be even further in your debt.

Thanks all!

I too fish SWPA waterways, mostly from the shore. For the last month fishing has been pretty solid for crappies and gills. That being said, winter fishing can be frustrating. One day I put a bunch of crappie on the bank, the next day I really work hard for a few bites, at least I'm fishing. I also know they are catching walleyes on the Mon
 
PT2

Good deal on the fishing Pork.

I had visions of doing said same trout outing around here, but decided (with my wife’s help), that the warm temperatures were also the prime opportunity to give the three pointers a mid winter bath.

They were really happy to get some muddy winter off of them, although I’m sure they will be slopped right back up in a few days.

Good luck on avoiding the skunk.

Below Canonsburg Dam is pretty steady all winter for bass, panfish, trout. Chartiers Creek has been blown out more than it's been fishable, but it's kept fishing pressure low. Anybody fishing Dutch Fork lately?

KJH807
I have a love hate relationship with below Canonsburg dam...
 
1. It is extremely close
2. I tell myself I should fish it more
3. I say F-it and go
4. I get there and I'm disgusted by the trash, smell, nasty water, ect
5. I swear never again
6. Few yrs pass and I start back at point 1. in the cycle

That pretty much sums up Canonsburg for me too, except 1/2 hour drive, so not extremely close.  
 
South Hills options that don't include point #4, are pretty much non-existent... 

Hello again all. Well I did manage to get out that Saturday the 5th. I didn't get to hike to the dam because my daughter wanted to join me so we to Thompson Hill park and fished off the pier there (well I fished, she rode her scooter up and down the walk and when she did fish she managed to donate her Elsa fishing pole to the gods of the lake.....). Didn't get a single bite but it was a gorgeous day, a bit windy but sunny, and we enjoyed the day and the park. I fished a drop shot off the bottom along with a slip bobber just trying various depths. I tried Gulp Minnows, Crappie Nibbles, curly tailed grubs. Just trying various things. No luck, but still a good day. 

I am definitely going to take some of these suggestions a run with them. I enjoy Canonsburg lake well enough for what it is. Like a lot of guys, its close so that takes it from "meh" to "ok". Ive had fun catching smaller channel cats, tons of bluegill, and the odd carp which is fun on lighter tackle and get pretty big. The kids have fun with all of the bluegill so that's something lol. Its nice enough to get out after work during the week and just sit down with a cigar. If I catch something, then great. If not, the cigar was good.

I need to get out and try the spillway here soon since that seems promising. I am certainly going to look at the other suggestions and plan outings to see what things are like.

Thank you all again. 

Keep an eye out from the 6'-8" guy, about the size of a Sasquatch, and smoking a cigar. That'll be me.

I definitely want to fish the rivers but it has a been a long time since I have and I just don't know any spots in the area let alone any that arent super sketchy. I grew up around Steubenville OH (dont worry, Ive been cultured since then), and used to know where to fish the Ohio, where the outlets were from power plants/the mills, close parking etc. I just haven't put in the leg work to drive around, walk around, and see what spots are out there so that's on me for the most part. 

Without spot burning or whatnot, any suggestions on somewhere to check out? I would be willing to go as far up the Mon to, oddly enough, Monongahela or so I think. I would be around 45-60 mins away from there depending. Thanks.  

Kevin_A
I definitely want to fish the rivers but it has a been a long time since I have and I just don't know any spots in the area let alone any that arent super sketchy.

In the warmer months, I do a fair amount of fishing down on the North Shore, on the Allegheny.  There's a trail there, to get to spots and parking.  I especially like fishing outside PNC Park, at River Rescue.  I've caught 3-3.5 pound smallies, and a muskie or two, there, plus a few Walleyes for good measure.

"Where are these numerous launch ramps that you mention? There aren't many boat ramps on the Mon. You have south side and Braddock and then way down in Elizabeth. Then you have maybe McKeesport and New Eagle."
 
While you have missed a couple---what's wrong with 5 sites? 

At this point most lakes are gonna have at least skim ice. And yinz guys must’ve catching the rivers juuust right, because they have been mostly high and muddy when I’ve looked. For me there’s nothing in winter around here that’s 1. Good enough 2. Close enough 3. With a wife and kids if I’m using one of my “going fishing” passes (limited lol) then I’m going farther away than round here during winter. Spring-fall is a different story, good options abound if you fish the rivers.

fisherofmen376
At this point most lakes are gonna have at least skim ice. And yinz guys must’ve catching the rivers juuust right, because they have been mostly high and muddy when I’ve looked. For me there’s nothing in winter around here that’s 1. Good enough 2. Close enough 3. With a wife and kids if I’m using one of my “going fishing” passes (limited lol) then I’m going farther away than round here during winter. Spring-fall is a different story, good options abound if you fish the rivers.

Pretty much same situation here.  The limited passes must be used wisely.  Either knowing the odds of having a good day (either catching or enjoying the weather) or just NEED to get out and relieve stress from work/parental responsibilities.  Spring and fall unfortunately, have good options just about everywhere.  Winter and mid summer seem to only have a few specialized options available.  That said, bring on spring!!!

In my endeavors of finding the ultimate answer to successful fishing. Having stumbled through field, forest and stream. One day, I came upon a wise old fisher sitting upon the bank of the mighty Allegheny.

Old wise Fisher sitting upon the bank, I sez, what is the ultimate secrete to making a successful angler?

Setting a lit match to the bowl of his pipe, the guru of angling peering over his polarized sunglasses, sez to me.... how the hell do I know, first time out of the house myself!!!

Well, having had time to digest the results of my adventures I have come to the conclusion, the ultimate secrete could be. Spring and fall it's catching while winter and summer it's fishing. But then again.... how the hell do I know?? Brilliant!!

Walleye jigs
So that was you that bothered me while I was relaxing on the bank!

How the hell do I know?? 😉😄😄🍻


Howdy howdy Jigs, I hope all is well with you.

Jigs that would be super to hear ya can get out and wet a line.

But in the spring, it's called "catching".

Then again, what the hell do I know?