Persistent drought - has when and where you fish changed?

[wgmiller]

With persistent drought conditions the past several years, have you had to shift gears on when and where you fish for trout? Living in Lancaster County, while not a trout mecca, I was always able to find trout water in various parts of the county (River Hills, etc.). In recent years, many of those waters have been running so low that I've had to shift gears and find fishable water elsewhere. Much of the fishable water for me sees me hopping in the car and driving an hour plus to find good water. We all live in different parts of the state (and beyond), so you may have always had to drive to find good trout water (think SW PA). Conversely, you may be blessed to live in an area that has seen average or slightly below average rainfall with excellent trout waters. It just seems to me that in the past several years I've really had to shift gears due to persistently low waters in my part of the state. Curious if others have seen a fundamental shift in when/where they fish as well.

WGAL stat from today. Rainfall is recorded at HIA in Middletown. Looks like 2025 isn't off to a great start.

USGS gauges from this afternoon.

 

[Tabasco-Joe]

I voted somewhat. I check gauges (if available) before I go. If I get to a stream and its too low (in my opinion) I'll go to an alternate.

Was just up scouting a local stocked stream and the flow is nice. Hoping that's the case once the season opens.

 

[Forestfishin]

Voted no based on trout fishing since it seemed that’s what you were talking about in your post. Can’t remember really changing anything the last few years.

Will add that I stopped kayak fishing for smallmouth on the lower Yough (Connellsville and downstream) last summer because it was so low. Kinda worried about this summer because it’s only a few inches above mid to late summer levels right now. Not sure if that’s maybe due to allowing the reservoir to replenish but hopefully this summer is better than last.

 

[wildtrout2]

No, nothing has changed for me. I fish the same streams I've fished for the last 20+ years. I travel an hour and a half to fish my closest stream, and a few hours to my other streams. I pay attention to the USGS map to give me an idea of stream flows/levels in those areas, and plan my trips accordingly. I'm as flexable as the weather is unpredictable. 😉

 

[wgmiller]

Voted no based on trout fishing since it seemed that’s what you were talking about in your post. Can’t remember really changing anything the last few years.

It was a trout-centric post, for sure. While I also warmwater fish, low water conditions seem to be less of an issue for that type of fishing compared to trout. Granted, a long, hot summer with low flows can also put a damper on warmwater fishing to some extent as well. It certainly makes floating and fishing a bit more of a challenge!

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Yes. When more than where.

 

[Swattie87]

We seemingly have this conversation several times a year now. Periods of low flow are normal. Are periods of low flow becoming more common, maybe, but flows are a very short term function…the last two weeks is what matters for PA, outside of a pure limestone spring creek maybe.

Low flows are bad in July and August. Lower Spring time flows are often more fishable than “normal” Spring time flows, which are often very high. Get out and enjoy the modest flows now (where you can legally now) and after the opener. Who knows if we’ll have a wet or a dry Summer, but flows now will have no meaningful effect on it. I’ll take a rain check on the rain now, if it means a wet July and August.

 

[Swattie87]

Additional thought. The fact that we go from talking about high flows, to drought, all in a matter of a few weeks, illustrates the point. The last two week window is what matters.

 

[wildtrout2]

Additional thought. The fact that we go from talking about high flows, to drought, all in a matter of a few weeks, illustrates the point. The last two week window is what matters.

Agree. Extremes can change quickly. I think I recall you saying, a stream is as good as the last rainfall, or something to that effect?

 

[Swattie87]

Agree. Extremes can change quickly. I think I recall you saying, a stream is as good as the last rainfall, or something to that effect?

If I didn’t, I’ll take credit for it!

 

[tjsingle]

Nope, doesn't change where I go. Tactics change though. I've used a dry dropper more often this past month than I typically would.

This time last year we enjoyed some great flows in the first quarter of the year. Like all things, it ebbs and flows. Things in PA are more so dictated on recent weather, whereas out west snowpack and runoff dominate the water levels.

Ironically enough, last October I had one of the best fishing months in spite of the low flows. I had just came back from Montana, and ended up catching some of the biggest trout I've caught all year in some of the creeks I frequent. Go figure.

 

[drakeking412]

I guess this is more geared towards trout but I have little time to fish anymore so the days of driving far looking for good flows are over. I just fish warm water more often than not as there’s less pressure and it’s closer to home.

 

[DaveKile]

We are certainly off to a dry start to the year, but we had some similar situations last June of 2024. It is interesting to consider from a short term situation how to play it. A good question @wgmiller, but I don't think I will change any of my plans.

Penns Creek is at 502/cfs tonight which while it's below average for this time of year, is looking pretty good to fish. It's just a rain storm away from getting blown out for a week. It will be only a matter of time until we get slammed with some heavy rain. Like I'm pretty certain, on average, most Spring Jamborees...it will rain.

Not a big fan of how often the news sensationalizes the weather. Too alarmist for me and honestly not a freaking thing I can do about it. I don't mind the facts, but the innuendoes seem to be always written by Chicken Little.

These things usually change especially in the spring and Mother Nature has a way of balancing things out over the course of most every year. For how dry it was last June, 2024 and summer, the annual precipitation for the state averaged out a little above normal for the 2024 year. (2024 annual precipitation map below)

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Not even a little.

 

[DomR]

Additional thought. The fact that we go from talking about high flows, to drought, all in a matter of a few weeks, illustrates the point. The last two week window is what matters.

Sounds like spring 2023, if I remember correctly April into mid-May had weekly rain events that kept water on the high side then the spigot turned off after mother's day and by mid-June the streams were very low and very warm for the most part, freestone season took a pause.

 

[Solitariolupo]

I fish the stocking for a month or 2 then on to other fish. So wherever they dump a bucket or 2. Even if it’s a foot of water.

 

[Bamboozle]

As long as the temps are suitable, I like fishing over skittish fish in skinny spooky waters so the answer is NO.

 

[afishinado]

It really depends where your live. SEPA, where I live, has in been pretty much under drought conditions from last summer to now. The maps list my area as being under an "extreme drought". As far as trout fishing, I have very limited places to fish nearby. So the drought has caused me not to be able to trout fish very much close to home. Last year and early this year fishing when I have only a couple of hours to get out was limited, given it makes no sense to drive a hour or more and spend more time driving than fishing.

Like others have said, I too fished more for warmwater species like smallies and panfish. I am looking forward to better water conditions this year to do some trout fishing. One can only hope.

 

[Frederick V. C.]

Also live in Chester Co. so my situation mirrors afish's. As a rule I won't bother fishing near home under these conditions with the possible exception of the Tully, but that's flow dependent as well. Fortunately there are several decent pan fish lakes nearby, so it's easy to take out my yak or wade for some Crappie, Gills or Perch.