The Best Fishing Spots in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers diverse recreational fishing across mountain streams, larger rivers, inland lakes and the Lake Erie shoreline. Anglers can find coldwater trout (brook, brown, rainbow) in many streams, and warmwater species like smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike and catfish in rivers, reservoirs and lakes; panfish such as bluegill and crappie offer easy action, while steelhead run in Lake Erie tributaries. Fishable opportunities include fly fishing, spin casting, trolling and ice fishing, with shore, wading and boat options available throughout the state.
Top Cities For Fishing
Sea Fishing
Abington
(18 km to coast)
Allegheny West
(8 km to coast)
Bensalem
(15 km to coast)
Bustleton
(10 km to coast)
Center City
(3 km to coast)
Chester
(0 km to coast)
Cobbs Creek
(10 km to coast)
Drexel Hill
(11 km to coast)
East Mount Airy
(15 km to coast)
Elmwood
(5 km to coast)
Fishtown
(1 km to coast)
Fox Chase
(11 km to coast)
Frankford
(3 km to coast)
Grays Ferry
(6 km to coast)
Haddington
(12 km to coast)
Hartranft
(3 km to coast)
Holmesburg
(4 km to coast)
Hunting Park
(7 km to coast)
Juniata Park
(4 km to coast)
Kingsessing
(8 km to coast)
Lawndale
(8 km to coast)
Logan
(9 km to coast)
Lower Moyamensing
(3 km to coast)
Nicetown-Tioga
(7 km to coast)
Ogontz
(12 km to coast)
Olney
(9 km to coast)
Overbrook
(13 km to coast)
Oxford Circle
(7 km to coast)
Parkwood Manor
(13 km to coast)
Pennsport
(1 km to coast)
Philadelphia
(3 km to coast)
Point Breeze
(4 km to coast)
Port Richmond
(2 km to coast)
Rhawnhurst
(7 km to coast)
Rittenhouse
(4 km to coast)
Roxborough
(15 km to coast)
Somerton
(16 km to coast)
Springfield
(9 km to coast)
Strawberry Mansion
(7 km to coast)
Tacony
(3 km to coast)
University City
(7 km to coast)
Washington Square
(3 km to coast)
West Oak Lane
(15 km to coast)
Wharton
(2 km to coast)
Whitman
(2 km to coast)
Wissinoming
(3 km to coast)
River Fishing
W. Branch Susquehanna River
Lake Fishing
Lake Erie
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Delaware River
From the cool upper reaches to the broad lower river, the Delaware holds smallmouth bass, walleye, shad, and seasonal striped bass in its lower, tidal stretches; focus on riffle-to-pool transitions and rocky runs near Port Jervis , Easton , and Philadelphia as flows and temperatures shift.
Susquehanna River
A legendary fishery for river smallmouth bass with opportunities for walleye, catfish, and seasonal stripers in lower reaches; target islands, ledges, and grass beds from Harrisburg upstream, with topwater bites peaking in warm months and deeper eddies producing as waters cool.
Schuylkill River
Flowing through Philadelphia and upstream communities, the Schuylkill offers urban-accessible smallmouth bass, flathead catfish, and walleye; target riprap banks, bridge pilings, and dam tailraces, with dawn and dusk windows often best.
Lake Erie
A Great Lakes powerhouse for walleye, steelhead, and smallmouth bass, Lake Erie’s Pennsylvania waters shine from late spring through fall, with nearshore structure and reef edges producing consistent action; winter brings excellent ice fishing opportunities when conditions allow, and nearby tributaries like Walnut Creek and Elk Creek draw migratory steelhead.
Allegheny Reservoir
Also known as Kinzua Lake , this deep, scenic reservoir on the New York border holds smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, and trout; steep shorelines, points, and creek inlets are productive, with fall turnover sparking strong predator activity.
Allegheny River
Clear flows, rocky structure, and lock-and-dam pools create prime habitat for smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge; productive stretches span from Warren to Pittsburgh , with eddies below dams and boulder fields yielding consistent action year-round.
Beltzville Lake
A clear Pocono reservoir known for striped bass, smallmouth, and walleye; trolling open-water basins and working rocky points near Beltzville State Park produce throughout spring and fall transitions.
Blue Marsh Lake
Near Reading , this reservoir offers solid largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish angling; points, submerged roadbeds, and standing timber are prime targets, with productive night bites during summer heat.
Juniata River
A central Pennsylvania gem for smallmouth bass with seasonal walleye and muskie encounters; fish riffle-run-pool sequences and ledges around Lewistown and Huntingdon , with topwater action peaking in summer low flows.
Lake Arthur
Set in Moraine State Park , Lake Arthur offers diverse fishing for largemouth bass, muskellunge, crappie, and channel catfish; coves, weed beds, and submerged timber hold fish throughout the warm months, with panfish schooling near bridge causeways.
Lake Wallenpaupack
A Pocono favorite for smallmouth, walleye, and striped bass, plus strong panfish action; fish rocky points, humps, and mid-lake structure, and look for night bites for walleye and stripers when boat traffic is low in summer.
Lehigh River
From the tailwater below Francis E. Walter Dam to its lower reaches, the Lehigh supports trout, smallmouth bass, and seasonal walleye; pocket water, boulder fields, and dam-release flows create dynamic fishing opportunities spring through fall.
Monongahela River
Lock-and-dam pools and industrial-era structure create habitat for hybrid striped bass, walleye, smallmouth, and big catfish; current breaks below dams and along barge channels near Pittsburgh are reliable producers.
Penns Creek
One of the East’s premier wild brown trout streams, famed for its green drake hatch and technical dry-fly fishing; the cobble-bottom runs and long pools from Coburn downstream reward stealthy approaches and precise presentations through spring and early summer.
Presque Isle Bay
Sheltered from Lake Erie, this expansive bay offers prolific smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing, plus seasonal runs of steelhead and abundant panfish; weedlines, docks, and shallows around Presque Isle State Park are classic targets, with spring and early summer especially productive.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Sprawling and shallow, Pymatuning excels for walleye, crappie, and largemouth bass, with abundant shoreline access and productive stump fields; spring pre-spawn and fall transitions concentrate fish along weed edges and subtle breaks.
Raystown Lake
Pennsylvania’s largest reservoir is renowned for trophy striped bass and quality lake trout, along with largemouth, smallmouth, and crappie; steep banks, deep timber, and creek mouths fish well from spring through fall, with electronics key to finding suspended schools.
Youghiogheny River
Below Youghiogheny River Lake , the Yough features cool flows for trout in the tailwater and excellent smallmouth bass in the lower river; focus on current seams, boulder gardens, and deep bends, especially during stable flows from late spring into fall.