USGS stream gage tips

[adam14711993]

I am hoping to gain some insight from others knowledge of the data presented by various USGS stream gages here in pennsylvania. Basically, I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what cfs and/or gage height values indicate good fishing conditions for a given stream. For example, I know that I prefer to fish the first fork of sinnemahoning creek when the gage at wharton states that the cfs is approximately 300 and height of about 4 feet. I also know that above 500 cfs and 5.2 feet and above that stream is borderline unfishable and can be unsafe to wade. I have a lot of streams that I plan to fish this year, some I have fished previously some I have not. Hoping to gain some info so that if I would like to make a day trip to fish somewhere, I can look at the gage and determine if it's worth the trip. Without having been on a body of water, saw the conditions, looked at the gage and been able to say that the gage data correlates to good fishing conditions, looking at the gage and seeing "300 cfs" for example doesn't tell me whether that is a good flow or not for fishing. I know to look for the median historical values and such, but hoping someone here has more info. Some of the streams I would like to know more about the gage data (I know not all of them might have gages) include:



Spring creek (state college area)

Penns creek

Yellow creek (bedford area)

Frankstown branch juniata river

Little juniata river

Bald eagle creek at milesburg

Bald eagle creek at tyrone

Clarion river at johnsonburg

East branch Clarion river

Kinzua creek

Spring creek (marienville area)

Sandy lick creek at Dubois



If anyone is able to tell me for example "Clarion river fishes well when the gage at johnsonburg says *x* amount of cfs or "x" gage height" that would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance, and good luck to all wetting a line!

 

[dudemanspecial]

Looking at the median data on the chart gives a good idea what normal flows are for the time of year you are looking at.

For instance right now Spring Creek shows 56 CFS with the median hovering around 100 cfs (the little gold triangles indicate median), so you know its low for the time of year. If it was at 100 it would be good flows for late Feb.

 

[ROVERT]

This can't be done, IMO. There are too many different comfort levels. I love fishing somewhere at 800-1000 cfs that others don't want to fish above 400.

 

[Cougarbaby]

Wading or floating means a lot on the Clarion ,wading is below 500 cfs at Ridgeway or 300 in johnsonburg, floating is best at 4-600 at johnsonburg

 

[afishinado]

As a general rule, if the streamflow is close to the mean for the date, it should be fishable (see chart linked below). In the spring, flow is generally higher and the mean is lower in the summer and fall and winter for the most part. There is also the "Three Bears" syndrome where what is a "just right" for fishing for one is too low or high for others. Check the gages, check with a local fly shop, and/or check with the guys on here.

Spring Creek near Axemann, PA - USGS Water Data for the Nation

Discover water data collected at monitoring location USGS-01546500, located in Centre County, Pennsylvania and find additional nearby monitoring locations.

waterdata.usgs.gov

 

[sarce]

This can't be done, IMO. There are too many different comfort levels. I love fishing somewhere at 800-1000 cfs that others don't want to fish above 400.

That and "fishing well" is dependent on what technique an angler prefers. A given stream can fish well at one level for dry flies and fish well at a different level for streamers.

The trend of whether flow is rising or falling and how fast it is changing is also a factor. So is clarity which CFS doesn't tell you (but you can make inferences)

 

[dryflyguy]

Best thing to do is to start keeping track of water flow levels at the time you fish them.
And then you’ll eventually get to the point where you know what a good level for you is there.

BTW, not all streams - Yellow Creek for one - have gauges
What I do for that stream, is check nearby Dunning Creek, which usually gives a pretty good idea of Yellow Creeks condition too

 

[nymphingmaniac]

the shape of the curve after a rain event is what I monitor. I am more concerned with clarity.

 

[Broodstock]

clarity, and water temp are bigger impacts on fishing. flows are going to determine if you can wade it - based on your comfort, fitness, and risk profile. flows also function as a driver of fish location within the river, as do temps.

as others have said - the charts show median flows and that is a good place to start. keeping a record of the conditions and monitoring it over time is work - but that is really the best way.

 

[TheDuke44]

Best thing to do is to start keeping track of water flow levels at the time you fish them.
And then you’ll eventually get to the point where you know what a good level for you is there.

I'll second this - I've had banner days when the gauge doesn't necessarily look like that would be the case. Knowing what flows fish well is invaluable, and no data beats getting out there and finding out for yourself.