Phillips Bait & Tackle

Just a little fun on this snowy day!

Thank you to all who served or are serving our country. Deepest gratitude and appreciation to you all and your families for your sacrifices.

We are out of bait and officially closed for the season. From our family to yours - have a blessed and safe holiday season and, God willing, we'll see you in March!

The retail store is now closed for the season, but the vending system remains open for basic tackle and nightcrawlers. Have a great fall!

If you've been in the shop at all this summer you've probably seen Michelle at the cash register, packing worms, helping her dad load the vending machines, or putting inventory out. Her dance team is holding a fundraiser on October 17th at the Heritage Hills Mini Golf Course and we'd love to see you there! Print out this flyer, or pick one up at the store, and present it at the counter there to earn her dance team some $$ towards competition expenses. Thanks for your support!

PFBC THANKS LAWMAKERS FOR SUPPORTING ANGLERS: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) Executive Director Tim Schaeffer visited my office in Harrisburg this week and brought a commemorative print featuring a Rainbow Trout. Schaeffer is visiting with lawmakers after several pieces of legislation were recently enacted to improve public safety for anglers and boaters and enhance customer service for those who purchase fishing licenses. To find great places to fish and ...boat in Pennsylvania and learn about basic boating safety, use the FishBoatPA mobile app or go to www.fishandboat.com. Also, this Labor Day weekend, Pennsylvania fishing licenses are on sale for just $1.

Good summer bass fishing from our customer using his new baitcasting combo purchased at the store recently. Thanks for sharing your picture with us Max!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking for information regarding a male black bear, weighing approximately 400 pounds, that was killed in the area of Bentl...er Road, in Clifton Township, Lackawanna County. A necropsy of the bear revealed injuries that were consistent with an animal being shot with a firearm. The time of death is believed to be between 10:15 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Anyone with information related to the incident is being asked to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region Office at 570-675-1143 or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at https://bit.ly/3airvh4. All information is kept confidential. Thank you in advance for your assistance and for helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife.

Be careful and investigate unsolicited information that you receive. This company is sending emails/texts pushing mail-in voting for your "safety" but they do ...not tell you that they are endorsing democratic candidates, particularly Joe Biden. In person voting is the only accurate, non-partisan and verifiable way to vote! See more

Be careful and investigate unsolicited information that you receive. This company is sending emails/texts pushing mail-in voting for your "safety" but they do ...not tell you that they are endorsing democratic candidates, particularly Joe Biden. In person voting is the only accurate, non-partisan and verifiable way to vote! See more

Pretty much describes Mike to a "t"!

Celebrate your freedom and independence this July 4th holiday. Give thanks to our founding fathers for their foresight and bravery over 200 years ago.

Celebrate your freedom and independence this July 4th holiday. Give thanks to our founding fathers for their foresight and bravery over 200 years ago.

No license required to fish in PA on Saturday July 4th. All other fishing regulations are still in place. Have a good holiday weekend!

No license required to fish in PA on Saturday July 4th. All other fishing regulations are still in place. Have a good holiday weekend!

40" - 30# catty caught today. Girls fish too!!! Thanks for sharing your pic with us Lynda!

40" - 30# catty caught today. Girls fish too!!! Thanks for sharing your pic with us Lynda!

Drop nets are back in stock with good inventory for bridge or dam fishing. Have a great day and Happy Father's Day weekend to all the dad's out there!

Drop nets are back in stock with good inventory for bridge or dam fishing. Have a great day and Happy Father's Day weekend to all the dad's out there!

NEW Catfish Pro catfish dough bait available in the store and in the vending machines. Liver and shrimp available now - more flavors coming soon!

Now that we're in the YELLOW phase, the retail store is back open for summer hours: Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-7, Saturday 8-5. Self-service system is 24/7.

We have bluegill and some medium shiners back in stock. Small shiners also available along with our other assorted bait & tackle in the self-service vending system. Don't forget your bucket!

Like father, like son...some more nice bass from the pond, this time from the next generation. Eric McNulty

It was a good day fishing on the pond this weekend for these two guys. Great fish! Thanks for sharing your pictures Doug and Eric! Eric McNulty

The catfish bite is definitely ON ! This big beauty, measuring at 43" and weighing just over 42# was caught off the high bridge at the Muddy Run Reservoir this weekend. Thanks Mike Kohr for sharing this picture with us!

Interesting?!?!

In case you didn't know, Muddy Run Rec Lake opened up this weekend. You can fish from shore or bring your own boat, however the boat rentals are not open yet. It was stocked for trout before the season opened, so there should be plenty of great trout fishing for you. Also, it looks like the bass are hitting well, too! Check out this giant caught today! Thanks, Donna, for sharing your picture with us!

Beautiful day ahead...get outside with the family and enjoy the sun and warm temps. We are fully stocked downstairs with all the fishing tackle basics, including nightcrawlers, bluegills, line, terminal tackle, minnows & shiners. Have a good one!

Walleye season opens tomorrow (May 2nd) in PA, 15" minimum, 6 fish per day. We have medium shiners in the self-serve system, just don't forget your bucket. Hooks, line, sinkers & stringers are also available. Still plenty of trout left in the local streams, and power bait stocked in the machines. Open 24/7 - cash or card.

We now have BLUEGILLS in stock. Available 24/7 in the vending machine - bring your bucket - we have water.

We're getting calls from customers looking for hunting licenses. We don't sell the hunting licenses, but you can get them online: https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php It's the same system as the fishing licenses. Pass it on and let your friends know!

Happy Sunshiny Sunday! We're getting lots of calls about fishing licenses. You can get those online at this website: https://www.gonefishingpa.com/ The rules about carrying license have eased up a bit in our current situation, so you only need to show proof that you have purchased your license on your phone - take a picture of it or download it to your phone after purchase. Have a great day!

Check out the latest regional fishing report from Officer Schmidt: https://www.fishandboat.com/Zone1/Pages/SERegionReports.aspx

Check out the interactive map available on the PFBC website that shows stocked streams, lakes, hatcheries, access points and more. This image shows the stocked streams in Lancaster County. http://pfbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html

Not a good day for fishing. Stay home and stay safe as these storms roll thru.Not a good day for fishing. Stay home and stay safe as these storms roll thru.

https://lancasteronline.com//article_b5de6d6a-7a91-11ea-88

Great video from the PFBC. The part starting at 1:07 is especially humourous. Take a quick look. You'll be glad you did!

Just a reminder, only our self-serve vending machines are open, the retail store is not considered an "essential" business to Governor Wolf, so we can't sell you a fishing license right now. You can get your license online and show it on your phone: https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php

Even though the "official" mentored youth fishing day scheduled for today was canceled, don't let that stop you from getting out with your kids today. There's still lots of fish to be had locally - remember to fish close to home - and practice safe social distancing while out and about. Share your pics with us below.

Whew...what a storm last night! Some parts of our state got snow overnight. If you're brave enough to head out in this wind today, post pictures of your catch below. Happy Good Friday to all our friends, family and customers!

The self-serve machines have all the live trout baits that you need: nightcrawlers, fathead minnows, mealworms, wax worms, redworms and garlic crawlers.

Since the wind and the weather might keep you trout fisherman at home today, here's a picture of a slab of a crappie caught on the Susquehanna last weekend. Congrats to Kevin M. Herr on this 2.63#, 15.75" crappie bass. Thanks for sharing your photo with us!

Finally got some minnows in today and they're in the self-serve system. Don't forget you need a bucket for minnows and shiners. Fully stocked baits, trout accessories and terminal tackle in the machines. More live bait arrives tomorrow. Beaver Creek was stocked today, should be some good fishing there the rest of the week.

Good Wednesday morning. Looks like it's shaping up to be another beautiful day, after last nights storms moved through. Creeks might be a little muddy this morning, but hopefully they will clear up quickly. Just a reminder that we have all your trout fishing needs in the 2 self-service vending machines that are up and running now, including Power Bait, many colors and variety, hooks, split shot and line. The machines are available 24/7. Just be sure to keep your distance if other customers are already at the machine. Good luck today and share your catch photos below! I'll start with another of Michelle from yesterday.

Weird opening day, but there are still plenty of fish around for the rest of you LOL. Holes are full, but you might have to walk to find a good one. Michelle had a great day fishing with her dad and they had fun catching and releasing. We reconfigured the self service machines and there will be power bait, trout hooks and other trout tackle available 24/7.

STUNNING NEWS FROM THE PFBC!

INFO AND LINKS REGARDING THE UPCOMING MENTORED YOUTH TROUT DAY: The PFBC is providing this opportunity for youth to fish with their mentors in all trout stocked PA streams and it is not intended as a chance for mentors to get an early start to trout season. Mentors fishing with youth on these dates should follow these guidelines: -Youth should be capable of fishing on their own, with limited assistance from mentor.... -Mentor should be fishing within a reasonable distance of actively fishing youth. -The PFBC is discouraging youth organizations from using this as an opportunity to get a large group of youth fishing, with minimal adult supervision. All youths (under age 16) need either a mentored youth permit (FREE) or a voluntary youth license ($2.90). You can purchase either permit on the PFBC website: https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php All adults (age 16 and older) that are mentoring need a standard annual PA fishing license ($22.90) and trout stamp ($9.90). You can purchase these licenses online at: https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php Regulations: Only youth anglers with a Voluntary Youth Fishing License OR Mentored Youth Permit may possess a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches. Adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout. All other Commonwealth Inland Water regulations apply. Special regulation areas are not included in the program. It is unlawful to fish in waters designated as part of the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program except when participating in the program. The waters included in the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program can be found here: https://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/troutwaters.html To review an online copy of the PA fishing regulations, click here: http://www.fishinpa.com//FINAL-2020-Pa-Fishing-Summary-web

Trout season is almost upon us. We're getting the new inventory set up in the store and we'll be offering phone orders with credit card payment for drive-thru pickup in the parking lot. We'll be posting photos of some inventory to remind you about what you might need and to highlight some of our new products. With the exception of the Gulp trout bait, all the other Berkley Power Bait is $4.99 and under. Stay tuned for more photos!

BRAND NEW Self-Service vending machine is now up and running. Nightcrawlers, NEW GARLIC nightcrawlers, assorted tackle and terminal tackle. Live fish will be available soon. If another customer is already at the machine, please wait in your car to take your turn. Practice social distancing while you're out at your favorite fishing spot too! Stay safe and stay healthy. We hope to see you all in person soon.

Just a reminder...trout season is NOT open yet, folks! Outdoor recreation at any time provides respite from everyday life concerns; nature’s rejuvenator is evidenced presently with the public health concern posed by Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 as anglers and boaters are taking to the Counties streams, rivers and lakes. Regrettably a minority faction is opting to do so in violation of applicable laws and regulations. In particular as it relates to PFBC Stocked Trout Waters ...Lancaster County, multiple individuals have been charged with fishing during the closed period. Moreover, there is amongst this minority a gross misunderstanding of the regulations in that their comprehension is that it is acceptable currently to fish Stocked Trout Waters and either target species other than trout or simply practice catch and release of trout. As delineated in PA Title 30 Section 2102 Regulation 63.3 63.3. Fishing In Stocked Trout Waters. It is unlawful to fish in stocked trout waters regulated under 61.1 (relating to Commonwealth inland waters) from 12:01 a.m. on March 1 to 8 a.m. on the first Saturday after April 11 and in stocked trout waters regulated under 65.12 (relating to regional opening day of trout season) from 12:01 a.m. on March 1 to 8 a.m. on the first Saturday after March 28. As used in this subpart, the term ‘‘stocked trout waters’’ means waters that are stocked with adult trout by the Commission. A listing of stocked trout waters is published in the Commission’s ‘‘Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws,’’ which is available from the Commission at Post Office Box 67000, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-7000. The Executive Director or a designee may, from time to time, supplement or modify the list of stocked trout waters, and additions or deletions will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin Anglers should also be cognizant of Regulation 63.4 63.4. Fishing In Areas Or Waters Where Fishing Is Prohibited. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person is fishing in violation of this subpart if the person has in his possession a fishing line, rod or other device that may be used for fishing while on or in water where fishing is prohibited or on the banks within 25 feet of the waters. Anglers Are Encouraged To Assimilate The Regulatory Information Per The 2020 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary: PFBC TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS REPORTING VIOLATIONS: Illegal Fishing Activity Can Be Reported In Real-Time To The PFBC Southeast Region Headquarters In Elm At [717] 626-0228, Monday Friday [ 8-4] Or At All Other Times To The Non-Emergency Number Of Countywide Communications At [717] 664-1180 Be Certain To Inform The Dispatcher That It Is A Fishing Violation And Request That It Be Routed To Officer Schmidt.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is encouraging boaters and paddlers to take advantage of a wealth of online educational resources. Many of these resources, designed to enhance knowledge of boating regulations and best safety practices, are free of charge, while some providers charge nominal fees for services. This online learning library can be accessed through a computer, phone or tablet. These online educational experiences will help the entire family learn how to be a safe boater and direct them to the best local boating or paddling destinations when you are ready to spend time on the water. For more information, click here: https://www.media.pa.gov//fish-and-Boat-Commission-Details

Fishing and the Corona Virus: https://www.media.pa.gov//fish-and-Boat-Commission-Details

Although many large events and activities have been postponed or canceled throughout the country, local anglers can still look forward to the beginning of trout season on April 18. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is operating under modified procedures to ensure all Pennsylvanians can enjoy one of the state’s favorite pastimes. The statewide opening day for trout fishing will be April 18; there will not be an earlier regional opening day this year. Trout stock...ing will still be completed by PFBC on an accelerated schedule. In order to safeguard public health, no volunteers will be permitted to help stock trout this year. Anglers are encouraged to keep a distance of at least 6 feet between themselves and other people, avoid large crowds and carpooling, and clean all equipment thoroughly. More information is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov//fish-and-Boat-Commission-Details

Hey...you gotta do, whatcha gotta do! Hang in there, hopefully it won't be too much longer! Stay safe everyone!!

Corona Virus update regarding trout fishing. Here's the link to purchase a fishing license online: https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php

03/16/2020 PFBC ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATED STATEWIDE SCHEDULE FOR TROUT SEASON, BEGINS ACCELERATED STOCKING OPERATIONS, ADDS MORE CONVENIENT ONLINE LICENSE PURCHASE AND DISPLAY OPTIONS HARRISBURG, Pa (March 16) Amid concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced several changes to the 2020 trout season intended to protect the safety of the public and staff, while preserving the opportunity to enjoy the fun and recreat...Continue reading

TROUT SEASON UPDATE FROM PFBC: Trout Opening Days & Mentored Youth Program The PFBC will operate under a consolidated statewide schedule for all counties during the 2020 trout season. Under this revised plan, a single Mentored Youth Trout Day will occur on April 11, and a Statewide Opening Day of trout season will take place on April 18.... Read more here: https://www.fishandboat.com/Pages/covid-19.aspx

It's coming....

New regulation from the PFBC

Coming up in May...

The retail store is now closed for the winter. We are sold out of live fish, but we still have nightcrawlers in the self-service vending machine (while supplies last) at 2/$6 and terminal tackle in the 2nd vending machine.

https://hdontap.com//vid/stream/pa-game-commission-elk-cam

Due to the extreme heat & humidity we won't be able to keep the fish stocked in the self-service live bait system this weekend. We should be able to restock on Monday as long as the temps break as expected. We will still have shiners & bluegills upstairs in the shop during normal business hours. The worms and other tackle in the machines will still be available. Sorry for any inconvenience.