With daytime temperatures hovering around 60, field reports indicate the deer aren’t moving because of the warm weather. But it sure makes for good fishing weather.

Our field reporters indicate that fishing has been exceptionally good all over the area. Willie from Willie’s Bait and Tackle in Cementon, says that the Lehigh River has been yielding some nice trout.

“Guys using night crawlers are pulling in some 15-19 inch brown trout and one guy recently had a 20 and 21-inch rainbow by the falls area,” said Willie.

He also heard good striper reports from Beltzville and Lake Wallenpaupack. As for Leaser Lake, lots of small bass, perch and some sizable muskies, but no trout are being caught. Willie theorizes that the muskies devoured most of the trout that were stocked there during the in season stockings. Of course only trout may be taken there at this time.

Brian, from Archery at the Glenn in Allentown, says the Little Lehigh, Hokey and Monocacy creeks all are holding pockets of trout, and die-hard anglers are catching them on fatheads, baby night crawlers and redworms. Leaser Lake has been giving up a good mix of all fish.

“They (the PF & BC) put in so many feeder fish that the muskies are growing fast. Last winter guys were catching (and releasing) them up to 32 inches, now they’re hooking ones up to 40 inches,” he reports.

He goes on to say that some trout, perch, crappies and small bass also being caught there, predominantly on live bait. The Delaware River too is producing some beautiful (size wise) smallmouth and walleye. Hardcore anglers are taking stripers and walleye from Beltzville and Wallenpaupack lakes, and an occasional large trout from both.

“On Thanksgiving Day I received a text from a friend who caught a 24-inch brown trout from below the Hamilton St. bridge. There are also some impressive size smallmouth in that area of the river. And few anglers are fishing there,” Brian added.

Mike, from Mikes Bait & Tackle in Nazareth says, Lake Minsi was fishing well for a mix of fish including some trout, bunch of pickerel, small perch and bass. He hears the Delaware River has been good for quality walleyes and smallmouth. And he believes the bigger fish are hitting right now.

Mike added that because we had cold weather and now unseasonably warm weather, the fish could be confused and messed up.

“And I know the deer aren’t moving because of the warm weather,” he offers.

Up at Fairview Lake smallies and largemouth were hitting last week on jigs and drop-shots. And at Beltzville Lake, big channel cats were being hauled in. Mike surmises that fish numbers are down, but the quality (size) of them is up.

So anglers should enjoy this warm weather and forego the gun and bow for a fishing rod, as there seems to be good late fall action.

HOLIDAY GIFT

SUGGESTION

For the sportsman or sports gal who has everything, or you have no idea what to buy them, both would certainly appreciate receiving tickets to the upcoming Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg. Commonly called the Harrisburg show, the show is being presented by the Outdoor Channel and is set to run Feb. 6-14 at the 650,000 square foot Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

This NRA-owned nine-day show is the largest consumer sports and outdoor show of its kind and features firearm manufacturers, hunting and fishing outfitters from around the world, archery equipment, fishing tackle, boats, trucks, ATVs, camping and art. It will have more than 1,100 exhibitors including the gamut from outdoor clothing, custom knife makers to specialty food vendors.

Ticket prices are adults, $13, children age 6-12, $6, seniors 65 and older, $11, a 2-day pass is $22 and a group plan of 10 or more people is $11. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.americanoutdoorshow.org/buy-tickets/.