Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 32

INTERMEDIATE
FISHING
WHITE
CLAY
CREEK
by Carl Haensel
photos by the author
I
f you are looking for a great afternoon on the water
in early winter, look no further than White Clay
Creek, Chester County. Located just northwest of
the Delaware state line, White Clay Creek has long been
a favorite destination of wintertime anglers. It offers
opportunities for both fly fishing and spin fishing for
trout and hosts a broad suite of options depending
on the season. While the stream lies within an hour's
drive of millions of people, it still feels distinctly rural
when you pull up to a trailhead along the creek. Much
of this feeling of remoteness is due to the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
White Clay Creek Preserve. Many of the 3,212 acres
of parkland is along the stream, and protected land
continues into Delaware across the state line into another
state park. The stream has been so valued that it has even
been protected nationally by an act of Congress in 2000
and is a National Wild and Scenic River.
While all of these attributes make for a picturesque
experience, the trout fishing is the main wintertime
draw. With waters that ice over only in the coldest
conditions, the creek is a good choice when winter is
in full force elsewhere in Pennsylvania. Importantly,
the Middle Branch White Clay Creek is managed as
a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO)
fishery, offering stocked trout for anglers throughout the
year. Under DHALO regulations, fishing may be done
only with artificial lures or with flies and streamers on
spinning or fly fishing gear. Live bait is prohibited and a
current trout/salmon permit is required. The protective
regulations only allow for harvest from June 15 through
Labor Day, ensuring that wintertime trout stay in the
stream for anglers to catch and release. Additionally, the
32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
The East Branch White Clay Creek offers anglers plenty of water
in tree-lined reaches. Prospect in deeper holes that may hold trout
during early winter.
The main stem of White Clay Creek is larger trout water with great
fishing opportunities. The main stem and both the East Branch White
Clay Creek and Middle Branch White Clay Creek are managed as
stocked trout waters, with extended season fishing opportunities
available in the winter.
fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023

Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 13
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 34
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover4
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