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 Fishing all over Western Pa in Rivers and Streams  in search of Smallmouth Bass. The Youghiogheny River in South Western Pennsylvania the 2008 river of the year is the place where we fish the most. The scenery is great while you wade, float or walk on the Yough Trail. It's a Mid-Size River with lots of Good Smallmouth Habitat and a healthy supply of bass in this great River. With Rocky bottom and slow to fast moving water with lots of Pockets and structure to ambush there prey. Fish in the 18 inch class and Larger are taken out of the Yough regularly we promote CATCH AND RELEASE and BARBLESS HOOKS for these big bronze backs. The future of large bass seems like its only going to get better with great spring and summer conditions the last few years  in three to four years there should be Lots of fish in the river that are twenty inches plus. There is also a great population of Trout through out the river with trophy Brown Trout waters near the tailwaters. Local groups stock the river downstream of Connellsville and the P.A. fish and Boat Commission stock it from the tailwater down to Ohio Pyle State Park.  Many other great species of fish like Sauger, Walleye, Carp, Catfish, and if you get lucky a Muskie or a Northern Pike can also be caught out of this river. I'm hopeful that the info we provide will help you catch more Fish. Check out the photo section and see some of the fine fish we have found on this great river. We also fish many other waters in P.A. including the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River there is some excellent fishing in these two rivers. You have a chance to catch massive Smallmouth in these rivers along with Flathead Catfish, Hybrid Stripers, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Gar, and Paddlefish these rivers are amazing and we are going to try and fish evey inch of them wish us luck see you on the water.
Recent News

Recent Photos
Elite Angler Award        Elite Angler      
  • 7-01-09 Allegheny Update The river was in good shape still a little stained but the bite was alot better than yesterday we managed about 40 smallies between two people biggest was 18in we also lost a few nice ones most using tubes
  • 6-30-09 Allegheny Update The water was stained a little the action was a little slow we got a few decent Smallies the biggest was an 18in fat body
  • 6-29-09 French Creek Update The water was stained and up a bit rained most of the day we got 23 smallies between two people biggest was 17in
  • 6-28-09 Yough Update The water was perfect the action was a little slow got 1 nice bass 16in
  • 6-25-09 Yough Update The river is fishable there is a stain still to the water it was 5.1 at the Sutersville Gauge I got 3 Smallies in about an hour and half biggest was a 14in skinny fish.
  • 6-21-09 Yough Update The river is high and muddy the gates are open at the dam not sure when they will close the gates looks like a few more days at least till I can wade again.
  • 6-18-09 Yough Update The river is blown out from the recent storms I doubt it will be fishable this weekend we are going to get more rain and just when the bite is starting to pick up. Looks like I'm gunna try a few lakes and ponds
  • Genetic study shows some Bass more likely to be caught 
  • 6-16-09 Yough Update The river is perfect and the Bass are chomping I got 19 in three hours biggest was 17inches all on soft plastics
  • 6-13-09 Yough Update They Lowered the water flow at the dam the river is on it's way back down
  • 6-12-09 Update I have been fishing streams with good success for smallies the last few days brown was a hot color. With the recent rain I'm not sure how the fishing will be with water flow.
  • 6-08-09 Yough Update The river is up a bit they are releasing water from the dam
  • 6-07-09 Update Fished a river today the action was great for Smallmouth seems as though the spawn is over here in South Western PA
  • 6-05-09 Yough Update River is stained and fishable but it's on the rise not sure how high it's gunna get. I fished for 3 hours and got 11 smallmouth biggest one was 15 inches.
  • 6-03-09 Yough Update River is still muddy but I picked up a few smallies near the bank on grubs
  • 6-01-09 Yough Update River is still muddy fished a stream caught a few nice Bass all on grubs
  • 5-30-09 Yough Update The river is muddy the depth isn't that bad I fished for about 1 hour I got a rock bass on a Rooster Tail
  • 5-28-09 Yough Update The river is muddy and predicted to go up to 6 foot by Friday afternoon. I fished for 2 hrs got a few smallies they were small also got a few rock bass looks like the river will be shut down for 4 days or so.
  • 5-27-09 Update The River was up a bit and since it has been slow due to spawning I went to a pond with a friend and did really well we used rage tail worms and ragetail shad and caught about 20 Largemouth biggest was a 22 incher it was a good day the weather was on and off rain showers
  • 5-24-09 Yough Update The River looks great the water is cystal clear and perfect for wading fishing is still a bit slow with the spawn and post spawn happening it should be picking up any day now
  • 5-19-09 Yough Update The River is pretty much perfect the Trout bite is real good right now got them on artificials pink and orange were hot colors
  • Paddlefish a big catch for anglers
  • Commission focuses on paddlefish program
  • 5-16-09 Yough Update The River was down a bit 4.6 and clear fished for 3 hours got 12 Smallmouth biggest was 14 inches it was a nice morning before the storms moved in.
  • 5-15-09 Yough Update River is dropping fast the fishing was slow ended up getting 4 smallmouth biggest was 15 inches also got 2 Rainbow Trout both were about 17 inches got a Walleye on a mister twister was 18 inches.
  • 5-14-09 Yough Update Fished for 2hrs today got 5 smallmouth a rock bass and a sheephead and also got my first Crappie out of the Yough it was about 10 inches  the water is dropping a little bit but it is still pretty high and stained a bit looks like the weekend might have promise they stopped leaving so much water out of the dam so it should come down some.
  • 5-11-09 Update Fished a Tributary of the Yough did ok in the two hours of fishing got 9 smallies biggest was 15inches
  • 5-10-09 Yough Update Water still high
  • 5-06-09 Yough and Mon Update More rain the levels are still unfishable my guess is that the rivers will be unfishable at least untill the middle of next week
  • 5-04-09 Yough and Mon Update Flash Flood Warnings Lots of rain has blown out both rivers and made them unfishable
  • 5-03-09 Yough Update River is running high and muddy
  • 4-30-09 Yough Update Water is 4.48 and clear but with the rain it is going to rise, fishing was ok I got into a group of rock bass 7 total also got 1 smallie about 14in in two hours of fishing.
  • America's 10 most endangered Rivers, Laurel Hill is Number 7
  • 4-27-09 Yough Update Water is up they are letting water out of the Dam
  • 4-22-09 Yough Update Windy day and cool 45 degrees with rain showers water was 5.4 and muddy fished for 2 hours got one smallie about 15 feet from shore.
  • 4-20-09 Yough Update All Day Rain today water level was 4.4 and temp was 50 degrees fished for trout and got 7 in a bout an hour and a half. Then went for Smallies got 3 biggest was 14in.
  • 4-18-09 Opening Day It was a great day sunny and warm 70 degrees lots of people on the yough today seen everyone catching Trout I went after Smallies landed a 19in and a few other nice ones also got 5 Sheephead (drum)
  • 4-17-09 Yough Update Warm and sunny got 10 smallies biggest 18in water was a bit high 5.01 and stained a little.
  • 4-15-09 Yough Update little bit of rain today we fished for a bout 2 hours got three smallies two around 15 in then headed down to help stock before opening day on Saturday we put two big brownies in 7 lbers they were nice fish water temp is 48 degrees.
  • 4-13-09 Mon and Yough Update It Was a Cloudy cool day in the low 50's Mon was clear and cool 44 degree water temps got a Two Smallies on a downed tree. Also fished the Yough got 6 smallies biggest was a nice 20 incher the fish seem to be eating well there bellies are full.
  • 4-12-09 Yough Update River is on the rise still pretty clear got two nice Smallies biggest was 18in was a cool sunny day 52 degrees but the wind was howling fished for 3 hours.
  • Anglers primed for beginning of trout season
  • 4-11-09 Yough Update Stocked Smithton today put two Brown Trout in 7lbs 27 inches and many other nice trout water was 44 degrees and 4.48 level. Got a few Smallmouth all were around 13 inches.
  • 4-10-09 Yough Update Showers and 53 degrees water was 4.6 and 43 degrees . Got a few nice Smallies today biggest was 16 inches also got three sheepshead and a sucker got seven total fish.
  • 4-9-09 Yough Update Full Moon, the river level was 4.7 today the water was clear and temp was 44 degrees. The weather was great 60 degrees and mostly sunny with a bit of wind. We had a good day we caught 12 fish and it was a mixed bag we got Suckers,Sheephead,Carp,Smallmouth, and Trout. The biggest Bass was 17in the Trout were 10 inch Rainbows. Was a good day
  • 4-8-09 Yough and Mon Update The rivers are clear the Yough is up a bit but dropping fished for 2 hours didn't get a bite we fished from the bank so we were limited. It was windy and mostly sunny 50 degrees.
  • Gas leak halts stocking of Turtle Creek
  • 4-6-09 Raystown Lake The day started with 50 degree temps and heavy rain at 7am and ended up with temps in the 30's and 20-30 mph wind gusts it was a tough day. We got two hits in 8 hours of fishing the water was muddy and water temps were 49-52 degrees. We would like to thank Dan DiFava From Dan's Guide Service for the great fun on our trip. 
  • 4-5-09 Juniata River Fished the Juniata today it was a mild day with temps in the mid sixties the water was high and muddy we managed to get Four Smallmouth around 15 inches in about two hours of fishing.
  • 4-4-09 Yough Update Stocked Smithton Today with some nice brown trout and some rainbows put about four hundred in. The water was up to around 6.1 and Muddy so the fishing would be tough.
  • 3-30-09 Mon Update Fished the river today in the afternoon water was green and about normal levels used jigs and got a white bass and a 10 inch Smallmouth saw some carp and a catfish it was a chilly day and windy.......
  • 3-29-09 Yough Update The river is on the rise after overnight rain up about 2 feet with mud coming in on the tributaries fished about 2 hours no luck
  • 3-28-09 Yough Update Stocked the river today with lots of hungry trout the water was a foot or so above normal with minimal stain
  • 3-26 -09 Yough Update Mild in the mid 50's and an all day rain fished from 5:30pm-7pm got four fish with a 20 incher as a highlight was a good two hours
  • 3-24-09 Yough Update Mild 55 degrees and Sunny fished from noon till Six water was 44 degrees and clear Level was 3.3 at Sutersville. Did really well got 9 Smallmouth two 19 inchers and three 17 inchers they were chompin hard on anything brown the fish seem to be moving in shallow. Saw alot of fish jumping today seems like all fish are starting to get really active.
  • 3-23-09 Yough Update Cold 43 degrees sunny water temp was 43 degrees. Caught two smallies one was 10 inches the other was a 19 incher Doug got was a slow day fished in the evening
  • 3-22-09 Yough Update Mild Today 58 Degrees and Sunny the water was low and clear 43 degrees we started at 10am it was slow until around noon and then we started to get some action got a total of 8 Fish a nice 20 inch Walleye.But the surprize of the day was a Personal best 20 inch Smallmouth Doug reeled in what a fish, Pete also got a 19 inch smallie. It was a great day on the river.
  • 3-21-09 Yough Update Stocked the River today with Smithton Sportsman they put in a Brown Trout that weighed 7 lbs and a Rainbow that weighed 7 lbs. After that we headed out for some smallies we got 8 and missed alot biggest was 16 inches.
  • 3-20-09 Yough Update Was a cold afternoon 38 degrees around 2pm warmed up as the sun came out up to around 44 degrees water was clear and 3.4 level at Sutersville. It Was a good day got 7 smallies all in deeper water 7ft plus they were fighting hard and jumping out of the water biggest fish was 17 inches Green was the color.
  • 3-18-09 Yough Update Water level is still low 3.5 in Sutersvillie it was a warm day today 70 degrees was cooler in the morning. Started at 8am fished till 11 am and got six smallies biggest was 17 inches. We went back out at 5pm and fished till 7pm and got one 21 inch Sauger.....
  • 3-15-09 Yough Update Was 55 degrees and cloudy Fished for trout in the morning just got a few bites. We headed out in the afternoon for some Smallies ended up getting 6 bass biggest was a fat 17incher Mike pulled in. we also got a carp and a small walleye.
  • 3-14-09 Yough Update Second Stocking in Smithton it went great we put alot of nice fish in the river. We headed out for smallmouth in the afternoon and got 3 12 inchers was a slow day.
  • 3-12-09 Mon Update Fished for an hour was cold and windy used jigs from shore no luck
  • 3-10-09 Yough Update We got out to fish for trout today and got 3 small ones. Was a bit cold and some rain they were hitting on orange
  • 3-07-09 Yough Update We did great in our first trip out for smallies with two real pigs caught by Doug and Mike they were 19 inches these were some real fat fish the smallest of the day was 15 in we ended up with 12 total fish these bad boys put up one hell of a fight. What a great early day for smallies....
  • We would like to thank the great guys from Smithton Sportsman for the warm welcome they gave us at this years first stocking we look forward to helping them stock the rest of the year and beyond.....
  • 3-06-09 Mon Update water was clear and low no fish temp was 62
  • 3-01-09 Mon Update The river was in perfect condition but the weather was very cold we saw some carp and had something hooked but it got off weather is warming so im hopeful the action starts to heat up
  • 2-25-09 Mon Update 50 degrees today the water was greenish and lower than it has been fished in Mckeesport used grubs got two carp was a great day.
  • 2-25-09 Erie Update Fished the mile creeks and did great got about 15 landed was a great day weather wise it was 45 degreess and sunny what a great day
  • 2-14-09 Mon and Yough Update Both rivers are running high and muddy
  • 2-09-09 Mon Update 45 degrees and cloudy Fished today the water was a bit up and stained due to the thaw. Hooked a 16 carp on a rattle trap first time that happened. Also had a few bites on chicken livers
  • 2-08-09 Mon Update Fished warm water discharge no action used cranks and soft plastics
  • 2-07-09 Yough Update 38 degrees and partly sunny Fished the river today was tough ice flows rolling down river the warmer temps melting everything no action.
  • 1-29-09 Yough Update The river is frozen in Mckeesport
  • 1-28-09 Update Winter Storm
  • 1-23-09 Mon Update Fifty Degrees today we got out and fished from 4pm-6pm didn't get a bite. The water was normal level but was starting to cloud up a bit from snow melt.
  • 1-22-09 Mon Yough Update Temps are above freezing today and tomorrow the yough is frozen in Mckeesport the mon is running a bit high
  • 1-15-09 Mon Yough Update COLD Ice is starting to form on the Yough
  • 1-12-09 Mon Yough Update The Monongahela River is running high and muddy in Mckeesport and the Youghiogheny is high but greenish.
  • 1-09-09 Erie Update Weather is bad heavy snow blizzard conditions 20 degrees but the fishing is great 10+ landed by noon started at 7am ended up being a great day they were hitting on pink biggest fish was a 10.3 lber.
  • 1-08-09 Mon and Yough Update Water was on the rise both rivers were blown out
  • 1-04-09 Erie Update Started out slow but we found a nice group of fresh Steelies and got a lot between four people 20 pluswas a great two days. They were hitting on Orange trout worms we fished the mile creeks Elk was frozen over in most of the better holes.
Monthly Reports

  • May 2009 Started out pretty good on the pre spawn bass got some real nice fish on soft plastics and crankbaits. The bite slowed down around the second week the fish were starting to spawn we still picked up a few fish in the faster water in about 3-4 feet of water they were all juvenile fish we got a decent amount. Please do not target spawning bass they have enough going against them they don’t need people messing with them in the spawn. This pattern went on for the rest of the month most of the Bass were from 8-12 inch that we got remember to smash your barbs down on your hooks no reason not to do this my hooks are all barb less and I catch my share of fish you will miss fish sometimes but in the long run this will help you, less injury to the fish. Well looks like post spawn is here hope it end quickly prey for warm weather and less rain and we can get into some nice fish again good Luck.      Pete

  • April 2009 This is one of the best months of fishing I’ve had in a long time the Smallmouth fishing was great big fish and lots of them. Most of the Smallmouth were close to the bank in shallow water they were biting  in all weather conditions the hardest time to get bites was when the water was muddy but I still got a few here and there. The water temperature was between 50-56 degrees and water levels were a bit above normal on the Yough streams were running about normal for this time of year. I fished rivers and streams this month both were productive hot baits were soft plastic,spinners, and jerk baits. There was one thing that really got me this month it was the Sheephead bite they were really chasing lures and hitting them hard I got 16 this month the biggest was about 18 lbs I couldn’t even pick it up was a great fight. The Smithton stockings went great with at least 5 Brown Trout going in 6lbs and bigger also got a limit of trout all the fish were about 13 inches got one Brownie that was 14 inches. I hope May will be as good as this April has been hope everyone got out and enjoyed the fishing.  Pete

  • March 2009 The month started off well with big smallies in deep water drop offs these fish were hungry after a long winter. The weather was great with some days topping out in the mid to upper 60's water temps ranged from 39 degrees up to 45 degrees in the shallows. We helped stock trout with Smithton Sportsman with the biggest trout going in topping 7 lbs the stockings were every saturday.As the month went on the water was getting really low down around the levels that fall would produce. I think this was a factor in getting the bigger bass we got because we could wade in spots we normally could not get to this time of year.This was the best fishing I have done in March for Smallmouth. Late in the month the action was still hot the fish were even more active some were moving to the shallows. The last week of March we got rain and the river rose about two feet and we slowed down. I'm looking forward to a great April....  Pete
  • February 2009 Was a cold month was hard to get out when we did didn't get much success fishing the Monongahela River we got a few small carp using grubs. Fished Erie once and did well the water was open a bit landed around 15 few bigger ones biggest was 10lbs. Overall the weather was the the factor to not getting out and catching fish. Pete 
  • January 2009 Started out great in Erie on the Mile Creeks got a lot of good Steelhead . We used Berkley Trout worms to get almost all the fish. We fished at night and did well also the conditions were not great 20 degrees and Ice on the water with lots of snow. The weather only got worse the rest of the month single digits and lots of snow we were not able to do any fishing on streams they were all iced over or the rivers they were either too high or iced up . We got out four times this month the weather was the reason I'm hopeful of a better February.    Pete
 
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Pa Fish and Boat Commission Information
Susquehanna Smallmouth Management
  • Youghiogheny River Regulations
  • ALL TACKLE TROPHY TROUT –Open to fishing year- round (no closed season)
     9.0 miles; from the confluence with Ramcat Run downstream to the Route 381 bridge at Ohiopyle
  • Minimum size – 14 inches, caught on, or in possession on, the waters under these regulations from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout season through Labor Day.
  • The daily creel limit is two trout – combined species – from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout season through Labor Day except during the period from the day after Labor Day to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout season of the following year when no trout may be killed or had in possession on the waters under these regulations.
  • Fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies or streamers, natural bait, baitfish, and fishbait. Spinning or fly fishing gear may be used in these areas.
  • A current trout/salmon permit is required.
  • The regulations apply to trout only; all other species, 
  • (1 mile) From reservoir downstream to confluence with Casselman River.
    Closed season on trout- April 1 until 8 am first Saturday after April 11.
    Daily limit- 8am on opening day of trout season to Labor Day- 5 trout
    Daily limit- day after Labor Day to midnight March 31 of following year- 3 trout.
    All other species- inland Regulations apply. 
  • From the confluence with Casselman River downstream to the confluence with Ramcat Run and from the pipeline crossing at the confluence with Lick Run downstream to the mouth of the river.
    No closed season on trout.
    Daily limit-Opening day of trout season to Labor Day- 5 trout;
    Daily limit-day after labor Day to midnight opening day of trout season the following year- 3 trout.
    All other species-Inland Regulations apply.
  • Bass - Rivers and Streams Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted
    Jan. 1 through April 11 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31     15 inches  4 (combined species)
    April 12 through June 13                                          NO HARVEST - catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted)
    June 14 through Sept. 30                                         12 inches  (6 combined species)
    Additional regulations may apply- see 
 
Fishing Information
 

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