Maiden Creek, Berks County

[Troy]

Hi All,
I have not been fishing much lately due to the heat and I am in desperate need to go fishing. I live in Berks county and I want to hit some new smallie water. I know the Schuylkill like the back of my hand, but I want something different. Anyway, I have fished Maiden Creek for smallies around Blue Falls Grove and have done well in the past, but I am thinking of fishing it somewhere different. Have any of you ever fished right below the Ontelaunee spillway or anywhere above the lake? What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Troy

 

[jayL]

Yep. If you do a "from the beginning" search on "ontelaunee", you should get some info. I recall the spillway being discussed about two years ago.

I have only really fished it for catfish, but I've been told that there are good smallie, panfish, and muskie opportunities.

 

[Troy]

Thanks Jay. The 4 inch smallies of the Schuylkill this year just isn't cutting it for me.

 

[jayL]

Link to the thread that I must have remembered.

I definitely remember hearing a few more positive reviews of the WW fishing in the spillway area, but can't find them. I'd just go check it out.

I can tell you that lake ontelaunee is good for wading as well, and holds some large bass and musky.

 

[Troy]

Jay,
I found that same thread. I guess that is what I'm going to do. If the spillway doesn't produce, I always have the lake to try. Like I said, I use to fish below Blue Falls Grove and it was always pretty good for smallies. The last time I went it wasn't that great. I think I know the reason. Many people go there to catch a meal. I couldn't believe the fish this guy had on a stringer.

 

[Troy]

I went to the spillway and caught some panfish and one smallie. They weren't big, but they really fought for some reason. I think I had my fly pretty deep so maybe that enhanced the fight. I did have one fish on that almost took my rod from me because I wasn't expecting it. I lost that fish. I saw some kind of fish about 30 yards from me that was smoothly putting his upper half out of the water. It looked big. It did this 2 or 3 times. I then went over to look and didn't see it. I have no idea what it was, but I would guess Muskie or Carp.

I then headed over to the lake and threw on a popper and had no luck. I left about 7:45 so I might have been a little early with the popper. Anyway, it was a nice day out. I don't know if I will try there again, but it was fun.

Troy

 

[jdaddy]

PFBC study showed lake ontelaunee is filthy with whisker fish. You do any good there Jay? I am feeling the need to sit on a bank with my redneck buddies, drink beer and catch catties.

 

[jayL]

Never fished the lake proper for them. Just the spillway. My cattie spot is a bit south of you. The last two years have sucked for cattie fishing, but I normally do it once every few weeks in the summer.

 

[jdaddy]

This report is from 2003 but there was a ton of catties in there.

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/images/fisheries/afm/2003/6_05-20ontelaunee.htm

Be awesome if we could get toons on it. Blahhh.

 

[jayL]

I hooked a musky there this spring. PM incoming.