it's been a while since i've posted.  i fullfilled life long dream of relocating to the region from clevland last year. today my dad and i did some smallmouth fishing in the cook's forest area. my dad caught one smallmouth on a tube jig about 13". a week of nice weather and the bass fishing should start to heat up. i usally start doing rally well on the bass around the opening of trout.  my #'s for the clarion last year were 481 bass, 38 trout, 2 catfish and 1 walleye.

dumpsterbear, i heard of some others catching walleye on the clarion last year as well. i have never personally caught any on there, just trout and bass. usually a ton of bass. interesting to hear you caught an eye on there as well.

On good Friday a neighbor caught a 21 inch Brown and an 18 inch brown near Heath Pump Station....

YEP... it's that time of the YEAR !!!!!

I'm aware of Walleys from Cook's Forest Area down.. BUT two years ago I caught one near Hallton that even the local WCO said was a RARE catch..

a few years ago the fish commision started stocking walleye fry at cooksburg. i caught my first one 2 years ago. there either from the stockings at cooksburg or there comming upstream from the ones they stock at piney dam.

I am confused i thought any approved trout waters are closed right now unless other wise posted?

The Clarion (as such) is not an approved trout stream.. just some of the tribs. All trout caught at this time IN THE RIVER .. MUST be returned safely a.s.a.p

they stock fingerlings??  that would make it approved trout water?  Plus it is really some of the best trout fishing around.

I do not believe the PFBC stocks TROUT fry or fingering into the Clarion River.... Years ago the Feds did (Brown trout) but the river is not on the lsit of approved trout waters.... and I do not think even the feds put trout in it anymore...but not sure on that one...

i've fished the clarion river numerous times for bass  before the opening of trout and have had my license checked by wco's and i've never been told it could not be fished before trout.

Yeah I do know it is TOTALLY legal to fish there now, never been check but Rick ( local WCO) told me so years ago... just have to make you don't injure any trout you catch and release them safely..

That's why.. IF.. I do fish there this time of the year I make sure I do not TARGET trout.. i.e... I do not use a #10 hook with a maggot or meal worm...

good to know looks like i might be fishing it next year for Smallies on some warm march weekends.

I have been catching walleyes on the river regurally and my partner has got a couple of tiger muskies as well. last fall I got a legal walleye at state road ripple.  

First, I would like to say thanks for this forum - I have been browsing for a year or so, and finally registered today - it is fantastic!  I live in Butler County, but fish the Clarion as we have a camp near Spring Creek.  Our WCO down here was in charge of the lower Clarion several years ago, and he claimed the flowing water section from Cooksburg to the dam was one of the best walleye fisheries around.  Also, the Clarion is not considered approved trout water, but is stocked annually with 1000's of brown fingerlings from Johnsonburg to Cooksburg by the PFBC.  You can access this info at PFBC page under Fingerling Trout Stockings.

Spring creek is a great place. Last spring my wife had her one day old ultralight snapped at the mouth of the creek. she said it was a huge brown.  

Glad to see after a year of visiting you finally decided to regitster and post..

Welcome aboard !!!