The species include channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and even that behemoth of fish, the muskellunge.

Geoff Smith, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Warm Water Unit Leader, talked about ongoing research along the West Branch, including studies of species displacement during a recent presentation to the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Since 2018, he and other officials have captured catfish in drop nets, turning up fish as large as 12 pounds.

Good-sized fish have been captured in the West Branch from Lock Haven south to Northumberland, he noted.

Anglers listen to Geoff Smith of the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission gives a presentation on the West Branch Susquehanna River specifically on the warm-water fisheries during a meeting of Trout Unlimited at Lycoming College recently. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Anglers have long fished the river for smallmouth bass, and studies are trying to determine how bass fishing tournaments are impacting their populations in the stream.

“We’re not really sure how the long-term displacements are,” he said.

The northcentral region of the state is one of the most popular areas of the West Branch for the tournaments.

Future studies call for tagging fish and determining if tournaments need certain restrictions to protect bass populations.

Jason Detar, Fish and Boat Commission Area 3 Fisheries Manager, noted that the West Branch between Williamsport and Lock Haven and lower sections of Pine Creek have been stocked with muskellunge this year and in 2023.

Muskellunges, known as muskies, prefer slow water and deep pools, and can feed on the white suckers and fall fish which populate those streams, he said. They also prey on frogs, muskrats, and even ducks.

Muskies are elusive and dubbed “the fish of 10,000 casts.” They typically grow up to four feet and weigh up to 36 pounds, and if hooked provide an angler with a memorable fishing experience.

“We will see how things work out on Pine Creek,” he said.

Detar noted that this year marked the introduction of a Delayed Harvest Area section on Muncy Creek between Picture Rocks and Hughesville.

The landowner, he noted, agreed to open that portion of stream for catch-and-release angling for trout.

Delayed Harvest Areas on the state’s streams and lakes are open to angling year-round and restrict fishing to be done with artificial lures only with either fly-fishing or spinning gear.

The daily creel limit is three trout from June 15 to Labor Day. No trout may be harvested at other times of the year.

He urged those fishing the Delayed Harvest Area to respect the property previously off-limits to anglers.

Detar said various Loyalsock Creek tributaries such as Scar Run continue to hold healthy populations of wild trout.

“Scar Run has a very good brook trout population,” he said.

The stream, he said, could eventually be designated as a Class A Wild Trout Stream.

Class A streams are those with a population of wild (natural reproduction) trout of sufficient size and abundance to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery.

Detar noted another stream in the Loyalsock Creek Watershed, Shanerberg Run, holds both wild brook and brown trout populations.