FishKillFlea Pennsylvania offers over 86,000 miles of streams, 4,000+ lakes, and some of the most legendary trout waters in the eastern United States. From the limestone spring creeks of Central PA to the Lake Erie steelhead tributaries, the Keystone State delivers world-class fishing diversity.
Best PA Trout Streams
Pennsylvania is famous for its trout fishing — over 6,000 miles of stocked and wild trout waters make "PA trout fishing" one of the top-searched topics for the state.
- Penns Creek: Central PA's crown jewel — legendary Green Drake hatch (late May), wild brown trout, and stunning scenery through a limestone valley.
- Spring Creek (Centre County): Spring-fed limestone creek flowing through State College. Wild brown and rainbow trout to 20+ inches in technical catch-and-release sections.
- Letort Spring Run: The birthplace of American terrestrial fly fishing in Cumberland Valley. Extremely selective wild browns in ultra-clear water.
- Pine Creek (Tioga County): "The Grand Canyon of PA" — wild brown and brook trout in a dramatic gorge. Also excellent smallmouth in lower sections.
- Yellow Breeches Creek: South-central PA limestone stream with an excellent spring stocking and year-round fishing.
Lake Erie & Steelhead
- Elk Creek: Premier steelhead tributary — fall through spring runs of chrome steelhead averaging 6–10 pounds.
- Walnut Creek: Consistent steelhead and fall salmon runs. Walk-in access areas maintained by PFBC.
- Presque Isle Bay: Warm-water paradise — smallmouth bass, perch, walleye, and panfish. Family-friendly shore fishing.
- Lake Erie open water: Charter fishing for walleye, steelhead, and bass. The western basin is particularly productive.
Top Warm-Water Lakes
| Lake | Region | Best Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raystown Lake | Central PA | Striped bass, largemouth bass | PA's largest lake entirely within state borders |
| Pymatuning Reservoir | NW PA | Walleye, crappie, bass | 2nd largest lake, shared with Ohio |
| Lake Wallenpaupack | Poconos | Walleye, smallmouth, pike | 5,700 acres in the Pocono Mountains |
| Beltzville Lake | Lehigh Valley | Lake trout, bass, panfish | Stocked cold-water species |
| Blue Marsh Lake | Berks County | Largemouth bass, musky | US Army Corps lake with good structure |
Rivers — Bass & Smallmouth
- Delaware River: Outstanding smallmouth bass (3–5 lbs common), shad runs in spring, and trout in upper sections. Forms PA's eastern border.
- Susquehanna River: One of the best smallmouth bass rivers in the US. The North Branch and main stem near Harrisburg are legendary.
- Allegheny River: Excellent musky, walleye, and smallmouth bass in western PA.
- Youghiogheny River: Trophy brown trout in the upper catch-and-release section, plus smallmouth downstream.
Seasonal Fishing Guide for Pennsylvania
| Season | Best Fishing | Top Spots |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Trout opener, shad run, bass pre-spawn | Penns Creek, Delaware River, stocked streams |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Warm-water bass, catfish, panfish | Susquehanna, Raystown Lake, Pymatuning |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Steelhead runs, fall trout stocking | Lake Erie tribs, Pine Creek, Yellow Breeches |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Ice fishing, winter steelhead, early trout | Pymatuning ice, Elk Creek steelhead, SE PA early trout |
Neighboring trips: Try New York for Lake Ontario Salmon, Ohio for Lake Erie Walleye, or Maryland for Chesapeake Stripers. Get your PA fishing license and start fishing →