Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2020 - 25

photo-Terry Malloy

Caldwell Creek offers a 2.75
mile stretch in the Catch and
Release Artificial Lures Only
Program from the West
Branch Bridge upstream to
Three Bridge Run. Many of
Caldwell Creek's tributaries
offer anglers the opportunity
to fish for wild Brook Trout.

Wild Brook Trout

streams that may be fished in the winter. Most of the wild
trout fisheries may be fished successfully in the winter.
We will take a closer look at three geographically scattered
streams, each with different regulations. This list is, by no
means, comprehensive.
Allegheny River, Warren County
This 8.75 mile stretch of the Allegheny River offers
anglers the opportunity to fish big water for Brown Trout.
Stretching from the base of the outflow downstream to
the confluence with the Conewango Creek, this section
has special regulations (see sidebar). Pennsylvania Angler
and Boater writer Mike Bleech offered this advice in his
March/April 2014 article, "Serious Trout Fishing on the
Allegheny" in the Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine,
"...use big trout tactics to catch big trout." According to
Mike Heck et al, in Keystone Fly Fishing, "There are two
'seasons' for fly fishers on the Allegheny-streamer season
and the dry fly season. Streamer season is long lasting,
stretching from October through May; it's when large
trout feed on abundant baitfish" (Heck 13). This is big
water with big fish potential.
Caldwell Creek, Warren County
This stream is managed with Catch and Release
Fly-Fishing Only regulations for 1.49 miles from Selkirk
highway bridge downstream to approximately 0.5 miles
upstream of the Dotyville Bridge. Described by some as
a "meandering stream", its slow, deep flows offer many
undercut banks and deep holes. A parking area near
the Selkirk highway bridge provides access, and Flat
Road parallels the stream. In addition, the West Branch
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Oil Creek, Venango County
Oil Creek is a long, large
tributary of the Allegheny
River. With over 40 miles
of creek, there is too much
to cover in one article. So,
I will focus primarily on
section 7, which is a 1.55
mile stretch in the Keystone
Select Stocked Trout Waters,
Delayed Harvest Artificial
Lures Only Program from
the bridge at Petroleum
Center downstream to the
railroad bridge at Columbia
Farm. This section is stocked
heavily early in the season but does warm up in the
summer, hence the value of it being designated as Delayed
Harvest Artificial Lures Only instead of catch and release.
But, this section is slated to get stocked in October, so
there should be fish through the winter. The section also
offers easy access and parking at the Drake Well Museum
and Park. The Oil Creek Bike Trail offers a path to follow
the stream between the Drake Well Museum and Park and
Petroleum Center.
When the days get shorter, grab your rod and give
winter fishing a try.

Regulations
Allegheny River below Kinzua Dam, Warren County
Allegheny River - 8.75 miles from the outflow
of the Allegheny Reservoir downstream to the
confluence of Conewango Creek.
From 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular
trout season through Labor Day, the minimum
size for trout is 14 inches, and the daily limit is 2
(combined species).
From the day after Labor Day until 8 a.m. of the
opening day of the trout season of the following year,
no trout may be killed or had in possession.
It is unlawful to fish in rivers and streams
designated as stocked trout waters open to year-round
fishing without a current Trout Permit or Combo
Trout Lake Erie Permit.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2020

25
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2020

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