Gated Roads?

[Smith_pafly]

Does anyone know if Fishing creek road that follows the west branch fishing creek (sullivan co, SGL13) is gated/closed? I planned on fishing all the way up to hemlock/slip run and I have a sudan so fitting my mountain bike in there is a process. lol

 

[Swattie87]

It was still gated down low, just above the confluence with Painter Run, last time I was there. Don’t exactly remember when, other than that it was during Covid still. So 2020 or 2021 probably. May-ish 2021 seems about right. We walked the road back and they were doing a lot of grading and replacing culverts on it, above the gate, which made me think they’d likely be opening it, but haven’t been up that way since.

I’d count on it being closed, and be pleasantly surprised if it’s open.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

It used to be open during spring turkey season. Not sure of current status. PGC has a map online that shows when gates are open.

 

[5footfenwick]

It was gated last time I was there, probably 2 years ago.

 

[HopBack]

Open gates on state game lands usually correspond with hunting seasons. Sometimes gates remain closed and are only used for access to stock birds, maintain fields or timber cutting.

 

[moodyblues]

It used to be open during spring turkey season. Not sure of current status. PGC has a map online that shows when gates are open.

This! They open those gates for deer season and spring gobbler as well. I was all the way to the top on the day before halloween in 2023. Had the entire place to myself that Sunday.

 

[troutbert]

IDoes anyone know if Fishing creek road that follows the west branch fishing creek (sullivan co, SGL13) is gated/closed? I planned on fishing all the way up to hemlock/slip run and I have a sudan so fitting my mountain bike in there is a process. lol

I once saw a PFBC stocking truck slowly bumping up that narrow, rough road to do an inseason stocking.

The road has been open when I've fished it, which was probably in May.

 

[Swattie87]

I once saw a PFBC stocking truck slowly bumping up that narrow, rough road to do an inseason stocking.

The road has been open when I've fished it, which was probably in May.

OP - Given that several other posters are indicating the road is seasonally open, check the PGC website for when it’s open. I was there in May too, but they were working on the road, above the gate, and had several pieces of heavy equipment up there. I suspect that’s why it was closed when I was there.

 

[wildtrout2]

It used to be open during spring turkey season. Not sure of current status. PGC has a map online that shows when gates are open.

That's generally the only time the SGL gate at Emmons is open. It was locked last summer when I was up there. In fact, I've never seen it unlocked in the many trips I've made up there over the years. Always in the summer though.

 

[henrydavid]

Take some photos if you go. I was up the opposite way years ago - Heberly Run. I've always wanted to head up the West Branch.

 

[moodyblues]

Does anyone know if Fishing creek road that follows the west branch fishing creek (sullivan co, SGL13) is gated/closed? I planned on fishing all the way up to hemlock/slip run and I have a sudan so fitting my mountain bike in there is a process. lol

Road is currently closed, reopens 4/25/2025

 

[lycoflyfisher]

If you do drive up the road, be sure to enjoy tge view at the very top!

 

[wildtrout2]

If you do drive up the road, be sure to enjoy tge view at the very top!

I believe there's a fire tower at the top. What a great view that would offer!

 

[lycoflyfisher]

There may be, but I believe most of the towers are Dep of Defense communications towers.

 

[wildtrout2]

The one I mentioned (SGL 13) is a fire tower, I looked it up.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

There is a lot more than a fire tower up there and the view is worth the drive whether you fish along the way or not.

 

[wildtrout2]

There is a lot more than a fire tower up there and the view is worth the drive whether you fish along the way or not.

Yep, from the gate at Emmons, it's about 7 miles up to that tower. A lot of trout in those 7 miles. 😉