Morning Fishing on Clarion Reservoir
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour guided fishing on scenic Clarion Reservoir targeting multiple speciesExperienced Captain Chuck provides expert guidance for all skill levelsSmall boat accommodates two guests for personalized fishing experience
Captain Chuck Gisselbrecht knows these Pennsylvania waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This half-day morning trip on Clarion Reservoir is where you'll find yourself casting for everything from feisty smallmouth bass to hefty channel cats. The 17-foot Crestliner 1750 gives you plenty of room to work, and with just you on board, Chuck can tailor every minute to your fishing style. Whether you're brand new to the sport or you've been chasing bass for decades, this reservoir delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the reservoir is still calm. Chuck picks you up right at the launch, and within minutes you're heading to his favorite honey holes where the structure holds fish year-round. The Crestliner handles beautifully in these waters, giving you a stable platform whether you're working a crankbait along the drop-offs or pitching jigs into the timber. You'll spend four solid hours fishing the spots that produce, and Chuck adjusts tactics based on what the fish are telling him that day. The one-on-one attention means you're not sharing prime fishing time or competing for the best spots – it's just you, the guide, and whatever's biting.
Clarion Reservoir responds well to a mix of presentations, and Chuck stocks the boat with everything you need to match the conditions. For walleye, you'll often find success trolling crawler harnesses along the deeper channels or vertical jigging when they're hugging bottom structure. The crappie fishing shines with light jigs and minnows around submerged brush piles and standing timber. Bass fishing here calls for both finesse and power techniques – soft plastics work magic in the shallows while spinnerbaits and chatterbaits cover water efficiently when fish are scattered. Chuck reads the electronics like a book, marking schools of baitfish and structure that holds game fish. The boat's setup lets you fish comfortably whether you're casting to visible cover or working deep water with bottom-contact baits.
Largemouth bass in Clarion Reservoir average 2-4 pounds, with bigger fish lurking around the best structure. They're most active in spring and fall, but summer mornings can produce explosive topwater action near weed edges and fallen trees. These fish fight hard in the clear water and often jump multiple times, making every hookup exciting. Spring spawning periods bring them shallow where sight fishing becomes possible around protected bays.
Smallmouth bass are the scrappy fighters that make this reservoir famous among Pennsylvania anglers. They typically run 1-3 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, using the rocky structure to their advantage. Early morning hours are prime time as they move up from deeper water to feed on crawfish and baitfish. The rocky points and drop-offs hold schools of smallies that can keep your rod bent all morning long.
Crappie fishing peaks in spring when they move shallow to spawn, but Clarion holds fish year-round if you know where to look. These slab-sided fighters average 10-12 inches and make excellent table fare. They school tightly around brush piles and timber, so once you find them, you can often catch several from the same spot. Their delicate mouths require finesse, making each fish a small victory.
Walleye are the reservoir's premier eating fish, with most running 15-20 inches and providing firm, white fillets. They're typically found in deeper water during the day but move shallow to feed during low-light periods, making morning trips productive. Their subtle bite requires attention and good rod feel, but their fighting ability surprises many anglers. Peak activity occurs in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate.
Channel catfish provide consistent action when other species are slow, with fish ranging from 2-8 pounds common in these waters. They're active throughout the warm months and will hit both live and cut baits with enthusiasm. These whiskered fighters use their bulk and stamina to test your drag system, often making long, powerful runs. They're most active during overcast conditions and can save the day when bass fishing is tough.
Captain Chuck's morning trips fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hottest. At $150 for a private four-hour charter, you're getting personalized instruction, prime fishing time, and access to productive water that many weekend anglers never find. The free 24-hour cancellation policy gives you flexibility if weather doesn't cooperate, but fair weather means you'll be out there making the most of Clarion Reservoir's best fishing opportunities. Don't wait until the last minute – the best guides book up quickly, and Chuck's reputation for putting clients on fish makes these trips a customer favorite among Pennsylvania anglers.
Your fishing adventure on Clarion Reservoir starts aboard the reliable Crestliner 1750 Series, a 17-foot motorboat built for Pennsylvania's lake fishing. This sturdy vessel handles Clarion's waters with ease, powered by a smooth 20hp Yamaha engine that gets you to the best fishing spots without spooking the fish. The boat's stable design gives you a solid platform for casting lines and fighting channel catfish, crappie, and walleye. With room for your gear and Captain Chuck's local expertise, this boat keeps you comfortable during your 4-hour morning session. The Crestliner's layout maximizes your fishing space while providing the stability you need when that big catfish hits your line.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are the workhorses of Clarion Reservoir - reliable, hard-fighting, and excellent eating. These whiskered bottom-dwellers range from 2-15 pounds here, with their slime-covered bodies and forked tails making them easy to identify. They patrol deeper holes, channel edges, and areas with current flow, using those sensitive barbels to hunt by smell and taste. Warm weather brings the best action since they're more active in temperatures above 70 degrees. What guests love is their strong, steady fight and that sweet, mild meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great for kids since they bite well and aren't too finicky. My go-to setup: slip sinker rig with cut bait or nightcrawlers on the bottom near structure. The secret is fresh bait with good scent - they can smell a meal from way downstream.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are hands-down the best eating fish in Clarion Reservoir. These silver-sided panfish run 7-12 inches and travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Look for them around submerged brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper weed edges in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but they bite year-round. What guests love most is how cooperative they are - perfect for kids and beginners - plus that sweet, flaky white meat is restaurant quality. They don't fight like bass, but the steady action makes up for it. Here's my go-to trick: use a small jig tipped with a minnow and fish it vertical around structure. Drop it down, lift it a foot, then let it fall back. That falling action triggers strikes every time.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the heavyweights of Clarion Reservoir, typically running 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds. These green fighters with dark horizontal stripes love hanging around submerged timber, weed lines, and rocky points. They're ambush predators with mouths that extend past their eyes - perfect for inhaling frogs and smaller fish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they move shallow to feed. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they jump when hooked. They put up a real scrap. For eating, they're decent table fare from clean water like ours. My tip: when fishing around cover, use a Texas-rigged plastic worm and work it slow. These fish can be finicky, but once you find them, you're in for some fun.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the hardest fighting fish in Clarion Reservoir. These bronze-backed scrappy fish average 12-16 inches but pack a serious punch when hooked. They love rocky areas, gravel bars, and points where the bottom transitions from shallow to deep. Unlike their largemouth cousins, smallmouth prefer clearer, cooler water and rocky structure. Spring and fall are peak times when they're active in shallower water, but summer finds them deeper during the heat. What makes them special is that fight - they jump, run, and never give up easy. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key to success is matching your presentation to the conditions. My favorite technique: drag a tube jig along rocky bottom in 10-15 feet. Keep constant contact and set the hook hard when you feel that tick - their mouths are tough.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard for eating in Pennsylvania waters, and Clarion Reservoir holds some nice ones. These sleek, golden fish with the glassy eyes typically run 14-20 inches here, though bigger ones cruise the deeper waters. They're structure-oriented, hanging around rocky points, drop-offs, and gravel bars in 15-25 feet during the day. Low-light periods are money time - dawn, dusk, and overcast days bring the best action. What makes them special is that firm, mild white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not flashy fighters but they pull steady and true. The challenge is finding them since they move with the baitfish. My secret: troll a bottom bouncer with a nightcrawler along the 18-foot contour at sunset. Their eyes give them a huge advantage in low light, so fish when it's getting dark.
Foxburg, PA