[MontourHunter]

Headed up to St. Marys for the holiday weekend and was wondering if anybody has any opinions or advice on Millstone and East Branch Millstone in Elk County. Never fished them but was going to give them a try this weekend. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Trout Traveler]

I haven't fished either of those creeks for years. When I did, they were primarily put and take streams. I believe they are stocked mostly with brook trout, so there is little holdover. There may be some browns that move in from the Clarion River. Since it is a holiday weekend, the area will be loaded with campers and the streams will likely be crowded. If you're going to fish there, I advise you to be on the creek at first light.

Good luck.

 

[troutdoorsman]

I have fished them both many times. I have only ever done well within 24 hours of stocking. There are some terrible AMD problems in that part of the state. The fish literally vanish very soon after stocking and make their way down to the Clarion. Fish do not hold over in either of those streams. For the amount of streams in that area, there are very few that can hold fish for any amount of time. The Clarion holds trout more comfortably until mid june and then it gets too warm below Ridgway. If you do your research, you can find some wild trout streams up that way which are also stocked and those streams fish well all summer long.

 

[TrashPanda]

It's not AMD on those streams, it is acid rain fallout. Elk County is reknowned for that problem. Lot's of streams where the trout move out quickly in search of better water, not just the Millstones.
Still, more than just the state stocks streams in that area. You will catch, brook, brown or rainbow there.
It will be fairly busy fishing that weekend. Wouldn't be difficult finding good fishing closer to St Marys unless you just wanted to fish those two streams in particular.
The lower reaches of the Millstones are known to have rattlers also, not saying you're def going to run into them but I'd keep an eye open. Good luck.

 

[eyefromthesky]

Probably too late for you to see this but I would head downstream of where Millstone dumps into the Clarion and fish. I've had some fantastic trout fishing days doing just that.

 

[MontourHunter]

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. Ended up hitting Millstone where it runs through Loleta campground last Friday morning. The wife and I did great. Both my wife and I caught over twenty trout apiece. All brookies. Everyone was right about being there early. Got there at daybreak and already a few folks on the stream. By eight the stream was packed. After that spent the rest of the weekend on the West Branch of the Clarion. Did great there as well. Also never ran into an rattlers. Thanks again. Can't wait till next Memorial Day to hit them all again.