Whether you prefer trout, largemouth bass, or catfish, Pennsylvania’s bounty of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams reward millions of anglers with big catches every year.
Hills Creek Lake in Hills Creek State Park
Wellsboro
What to Catch: Muskellunge, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Carp, Yellow Perch, Catfish, Bullhead catfish, Bluegill, Crappie
This 137-acre body of water in Tioga County brims with warm-water fish, including largemouth bass weighing up to eight pounds. Several fishing piers and boat launches are available for a premier fishing spot near New York.
Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park
Portersville
What to Catch: Largemouth Bass, Pike, Muskellunge, Channel Catfish, Hybrid Striped Bass, Walleye, Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie
Lucky anglers hook jumbo-size walleye, perch, pike, channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, muskellunge and largemouth bass at Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park – a 3,225-acre, warm-water fishery with 10 public boat launches. While some of the best fishing is available on the lake’s 42 miles of shoreline, boat rentals are also available.
Slippery Rock Creek at McConnells Mill State Park
Portersville
What to Catch: Trout, Bass
Not too far from Pittsburgh's city limits, the rock-strewn Slippery Rock Creek is famed for its trout fishing and offers a tranquil place to take in McConnells Mill State Park’s expansive green spaces. Fishing is allowed anywhere in the park (except dam structures), and hiking paths along the creek supply access to the water. The creek is also the only Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission catch and release fly-fishing location that is open year-round
West Branch of the Susquehanna River
Clearfield
What to Catch: Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Brown Bullhead
Clearfield County is home to more than 100 miles of the 228-mile West Branch of the Susquehanna River, the only portion of the waterway stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Wade into the boulder-strewn waters for the best chances to wrestle in a big one.
Allegheny River
Tionesta
What to Catch: Muskellunge, Walleye, Catfish, Pike, Bass, Trout
Giant musky are known to swim in the portion of the Allegheny River (part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System) that flows through the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Laurel Highlands Trout Trail
Somerset
What to Catch: Trout
The Laurel Highlands Trout Trail in southwestern PA encompasses 70 miles of bountiful trout streams, which were established through partnerships with state parks, local businesses, and Trout Unlimited – a cold-water conservation organization. Drop a line in one of the trail’s streams or attend an event.
Lake Chillisquaque
Montour County
What to Catch: Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Channel and Bullhead Catfish, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Crappie
Stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Lake Chillisquaque’s waters offer a good fishing spot near Elysburg with a wide variety of potential pole-bending catches. Local anglers recommend using live bait such as minnows, night crawlers, and crawfish at the 165-acre lake.
Lake Wallenpaupack
Hawley
What to Catch: Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Rainbow and Brown Trout, Catfish, Pickerel, Yellow Perch, and a variety of Panfish
The Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center’s fishing tackle loaner program allows individuals to borrow rods, reels, and tackle boxes to use in the area. Fifty-two miles of shoreline supply loads of places to set up shop at the 13-mile-wide, man-made reservoir.
Upper Delaware River
Beach Lake
What to Catch: Trout, American Shad, Black Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Striped Bass, Muskellunge, American Eel, Sea Lamprey, Bluegill, Sunfish
Part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Upper Delaware is a Pocono Mountains gem. Muskellunge hang out in shallow, weedy water, while walleye are typically found in deeper holes and eddies. For the best trout fishing, drop a line in late spring, early summer, or fall.
Lake Erie
Erie
What to Catch: Steelhead, Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Catfish
With Erie County previously recognized in Bassmaster Magazine as one of the Best Bass Lakes 2024: Northeastern category, it’s no surprise why fishermen hook about 1.5 million catches each year in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and their tributaries. Yellow perch, the most sought-after species in Lake Erie, can be caught year-round from piers, shoreline, and boats. Lake Erie’s shallow waters make it a premier destination for anglers hoping to reel in panfish, yellow perch, bass, muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, crappies, and steelhead.
Meanwhile, nearby Presque Isle Bay is known for rewarding persistent fishermen with bluegill, largemouth bass, and crappie.
Conneaut Lake
Crawford County
What to Catch: Muskellunge, Largemouth and smallmouth bass, Bowfin, Pike, Bluegill, Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch
Crawford County boasts Pennsylvania’s largest glacier lake, a natural body of water formed from glacial meltwater. Massive muskellunge are known to swim in fishing lake in PA's sapphire waters; a whopping 54-pound musky was caught in the 1920s, and anglers still report taking home 40-pound giants.
Northern Susquehanna River
Tunkhannock
What to Catch: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge, Flathead Catfish, Carp, Northern Pike, Pickerel, Sauger
Named “2016 River of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the northern branch of the Susquehanna River that runs through the heart of the Endless Mountains is a favorite of fly fishing enthusiasts.
Raystown Lake
Huntingdon County
What to Catch: Catfish, Striped Bass, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Blue Gill
The 8,300-acre lake’s striped bass, known as stripers, can be up to 50 pounds and are especially coveted by anglers. Spring is a prime time to fish for stripers, while May, June, October, and November are favorable for trout fishing.
Spring Creek
State College
What to Catch: Brown Trout
Densely populated with wild brown trout, thousands of anglers arch their lines in Spring Creek every year. The legendary Fisherman’s Paradise area between State College and Bellefonte and the Benner Springs stretch (accessible off PA Route 150) are popular with fly fishermen.
Yellow Breeches Creek
Boiling Springs
What to Catch: Trout
Boasting a mix of wild and stocked trout, this popular fly-fishing stream meanders through Cumberland Valley’s attractive farmland and forests. Make your way to the stream in the early morning, when you’ll also view an array of birds, including warblers, wrens, and hawks.
Conococheague Creek at Caledonia State Park
Franklin County
What to Catch: Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout, Warmwater game fish
Padded by lush forests and stocked with brook trout, Conococheague Creek is a popular fishing in PA experience for families. Other angling spots in Caledonia State Park include Rocky Mountain Creek and Carbaugh Run.
Tulpehocken Creek
Reading
What to Catch: Rainbow and Brown Trout
Nicknamed the “Tully” by locals, Tulpehocken Creek is a renowned year-round fly-fishing locale. The creek is stocked with more than 10,000 brown and rainbow trout annually and catches typically range between 12 and 14 inches. Pick up equipment and advice at Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters Fly Shop in Reading.
Green Lane Park
Green Lane
What to Catch: Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Yellow perch, White perch, Crappie, Bluegills and Carp
This 3,400-acre park in Montgomery County offers three side-by-side fishing holes: Green Lane Reservoir, Deep Creek Lake, and Knight Lake. Deep Creek Lake is stocked with trout in the spring and fall, while Green Lane Reservoir is ideal for those who enjoy deep-water fishing (has a maximum depth of 66 feet.) Try your hand at this fishing spot near the Lehigh Valley this spring!
Manatawny Creek
Pottstown
What to Catch: Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Rock Bass
Two covered bridges and blooming bluebells and violets enhance the peaceful scenery for spring and summer anglers at Manatawny Creek. The waters are stocked with trout in late April or early May, supporting great fishing throughout the summer months.
Bushkill Creek
Tatamy
What to Catch: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Lehigh Valley’s Bushkill Creek is stocked with thousands of trout to prepare for the spring fishing season. Other perks include plenty of parking and easy access to the water.
Cedar Run
Cedar Run
What to Catch: Brown Trout
Packed with deep pools and dense trout populations, Cedar Run starts in Tioga County and flows for more than 11 miles into Pine Creek in Lycoming County. There’s easy access from the road to a number of small fishing spots along Cedar Run, where anglers often find plenty of fish.
Oil Creek
Oil City
What to Catch: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trou, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish
The site of the world’s first commercial oil well, Oil Creek, along with several of its tributaries, is one of Pennsylvania’s top trout and bass streams with the creek carving a valley of deep hollows, steep hillsides, and wetlands. The best access to the water for fishing is in Oil Creek State Park, between Titusville and Oil City. The water here offers beautiful pools, riffles, and runs. While in the area, be sure to stop in the visitor’s center at Oil Creek State Park, which tells the story of the early petroleum industry by interpreting oil boomtowns, oil wells, and early transportation.
Slate Run
Cedar Run
What to Catch: Brook and Brown Trout, Blacknose Dace, Longnose Dace, Slimy Sculpins, and White Suckers
Slate Run has become one of the most well-known freestone trout streams in the eastern United States. Wild brook trout and a few brown trout reside in the upper part of the stream, and wild brown trout reside in the lower part.
LeTrot Spring Run
Carlisle
What to Catch: Brown Trout
The legendary LeTort Spring Run is a limestone spring creek that has attracted anglers for decades and is sure to offer fly fishing at its best. The wide range of freshwater crustaceans providing nutrient-rich food together with the stable water temperature year-round has resulted in an active and healthy trout population that fishermen come from miles around to experience. A popular fly fishing destination, this is one of the finest limestone trout streams in the nation, known for large wild browns that are particularly wily.
Monocacy Creek
Bethlehem
What to Catch: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout
For the seasoned anglers looking for a challenge, Monocacy Creek features sizable wild browns that roam the creek and are no easy task to pull in. With great fishing offered throughout the year, the Monocacy is a good fishing spot near Allentown to come with a spinner rod or fly gear.
Wissahickon Creek
Philadelphia
What to Catch: Brown Trout
Wissahickon Creek proves that anglers don’t need to travel to remote locations to enjoy great fishing near Philadelphia. More than 50 miles of rugged trails offer hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians the opportunity to explore the park’s dense forests, open meadows, and shaded creeks. Parts of Wissahickon Creek are stocked with trout every spring, luring fisherman to its banks, while birdwatchers migrate to the restored Andorra and Houston meadows to witness the arrival of dozens of bird species. The creek is in one of the areas that mark trout season’s opening day on April 5, so anglers eager to get an early start, take note.
Youghiogheny River
Confluence
What to Catch: Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Catfish
Anglers can try their hand at float fishing on the famous Youghiogheny River outside Pittsburgh, where excellent trout and smallmouth bass fishing opportunities exist along the massive waterway. The Youghiogheny River provides some of the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery. The Youghiogheny features a nine-mile, all-tackle trophy trout section, and easy access at Ohiopyle State Park.
Penn's Creek
Winfield
What to Catch: Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Penn's Creek is Pennsylvania’s longest and largest limestone influenced stream. Bubbling from a cave located about 15 miles east of State College, the stream stays modest in size until it reaches Spring Mills where it is joined by Sinking Creek. At this point, Penns Creek becomes larger in size, and an excellent trout stream for wild brown trout, as well as stocked rainbows. This magnificent scenic stream boasts great March Brown and Sulphur hatches, and the Green Drake, which brings anglers from all over the country.
Looking for more fishing holes in Pennsylvania? Be sure to check out the VISIT PA website and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, and Instagram for more PA inspiration. Do not forget to sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter so you never miss an update.
You might also like: Pennsylvania Fishing Spots That Will Get You Hooked