Known as the Keystone State, Pennsylvania is a haven for passionate anglers seeking pristine waters and thrilling trout fishing experiences. With its diverse range of ecosystems, picturesque landscapes, and abundant trout populations, this state offers some of the finest fishing opportunities in the United States.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn about the 16 best spots for trout fishing in Pennsylvania. Each waterway has been selected based on its scenic beauty, trout population, angling accessibility, and the overall fishing experience I, and other anglers, have had there.
When and How to Catch Trout in Pennsylvania
Season
The trout fishing season in Pennsylvania typically runs from early April to mid-July. However, specific dates may vary depending on the exact region and the type of waterway you’re fishing in. Always check the Fish and Boat Commission’s website for the latest regulations and updates on any season changes in Lake Erie or other wild trout waters.
Time of Day
Early mornings and late evenings are generally the best times for fishing in Pennsylvania and targeting trout since they are more likely to feed closer to the surface during these times. However, trout can be caught throughout the day, so don’t hesitate to explore different fishing times.
Fly Fishing
Using lightweight fly rods, you can easily imitate insects and other prey species that trout feed on. Effective fly patterns include nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Matching the hatch and selecting the appropriate fly based on the trout’s seasonal feeding behaviors is ideal.
Spin Fishing
Spin fishing is another widely practiced method. You will typically use spinning rods, reels, artificial lures, or live bait such as small spinners, spoons, and soft plastics that mimic the trout’s natural food sources.
Bait Fishing
Bait fishing is a straightforward and effective technique for catching trout in Pennsylvania. Common baits include worms, salmon eggs, corn, and PowerBait. Using small hooks and appropriate weights will present the bait in a natural manner the fish will recognize.
Best Trout Rivers and Streams in Pennsylvania
Letort Spring Run
Location
Carlisle, Cumberland County
Overview
Letort Spring Run is well known for its challenging yet rewarding fishing experience. It is a limestone spring creek with crystal-clear fishing waters, abundant insect life, and some exceptionally sized trout.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with small and delicate dry flies and nymphs are highly effective. I rarely see anyone here that doesn’t fly fish for their trout, but almost 100% of the anglers here practice catch and release.
Trout Species
Wild Brook Trout, large Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Spring Creek
Location
State College, Centre County
Overview
Spring Creek is a popular destination for both local and visiting trout anglers. Spring Creek offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year thanks to its consistent water temperatures and diverse insect hatches.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers is productive. Sight fishing is also common.
Trout Species
Wild Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Penns Creek
Location
Coburn, Union County
Overview
Penns Creek is one of Pennsylvania’s finest wild trout fisheries and one of my personal favorite spots to travel for trout fishing. It spans a long stretch and offers a variety of habitats, including ripples, pools, and pocket water which make it great for catch-and-release practices.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers is recommended. Terrestrial patterns can be productive during the summer months. I’ve had my best luck with dry flies in various color patterns.
Trout Species
Wild Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Wild Brook Trout.
Pine Creek
Location
Waterville, Tioga County
Overview
Pine Creek is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania because it offers breathtaking scenery and absolutely incredible trout fishing. Its deep spring creek pools and challenging pocket water provide a thrilling angling experience for experienced anglers looking for a bit of a thrill.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. Spin fishing with small lures and bait fishing can also work.
Trout Species
Wild Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Native Brook Trout.
Little Juniata River
Location
Tyrone, Blair County
Overview
The Little Juniata River is known for its high amount of aquatic insect hatches and challenging trout. It offers both wild and stocked trout fishing opportunities in a beautiful setting.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Fishing during insect hatches can yield great results, and catch-and-release is recommended but not required here.
Trout Species
Large Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Youghiogheny River
Location
Ohiopyle, Fayette County
Overview
The Youghiogheny River, commonly called the “Yough,” is a very scenic waterway known for its excellent trout fishing and exciting rapids. It offers a mix of stocked and wild trout, along with several great spots for taking photographs or videos.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, streamers, and dry flies is always highly successful. Spin fishing with small lures and bait fishing can also be effective.
Trout Species
Wild Brown Trout, Wild and Stocked Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout.
Yellow Breeches Creek
Location
Boiling Springs, Cumberland County
Overview
Yellow Breeches Creek is a limestone spring creek recognized for its challenging trout and consistent hatches. It flows through beautiful farmlands and offers diverse fishing opportunities. The area is beautiful, but I have found it to be a bit more lucrative for experienced fly fishermen rather than casual weekend anglers.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Sight fishing and match-the-hatch techniques are helpful.
Trout Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout.
Tulpehocken Creek
Location
Reading, Berks County
Overview
Tulpehocken Creek is a tailwater spring creek fishery below Blue Marsh Lake. It provides anglers with year-round monster trout fishing opportunities and consistent water temperatures. This is an excellent spot to bring the whole family since it has a lot of areas that are great for beginners.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. Fishing with small lures can also be productive.
Trout Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Kettle Creek
Location
Westport, Clinton County
Overview
Kettle Creek is a remote and scenic waterway nestled in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania. It offers a mix of stocked and wild trout fishing in a peaceful setting with very few other anglers around. Smallmouth bass can also be found here.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. Fishing pocket water and deep pools can yield good results too.
Trout Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout.
Falling Spring Branch
Location
Chambersburg, Franklin County
Overview
Falling Spring Branch is a limestone spring creek known for its exceptional water quality and diverse aquatic insects. It offers both stocked and wild trout fishing opportunities.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Matching the hatch and presenting imitations accurately is essential for the fish in this location.
Trout Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown, and Brook Trout.
West Branch Delaware River
Location
Hancock, Wayne County
Overview
The West Branch Delaware River is a legendary trout fishery known for its challenging trout and beautiful spring creek surroundings. It offers both wild and stocked monster trout fishing opportunities and is one of my personal top 5 Pennsylvania trout fishing destinations.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Drift boat fishing and wading are common techniques used in this wild trout stream.
Trout Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Clarion River
Location
Ridgway, Elk County
Overview
The Clarion River offers anglers a unique trout fishing experience in a scenic and remote setting. It is a popular destination for fly fishing professionals as well as beginners.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Float fishing and wading are common and very effective methods.
Trout Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown, and Brook Trout.
Cross Fork Creek
Location
Cross Fork, Potter County
Overview
Cross Fork Creek is a remote and pristine wild trout stream nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania’s wilds. It offers excellent fishing for both stocked and wild trout in a spring creek that also has small populations of smallmouth bass.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Fishing pocket water and deep pools can be productive.
Trout Species
Brown Trout, Rainbows, Golden Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout.
Oil Creek
Location
Titusville, Venango County
Overview
Oil Creek is a unique trout fishery known for its history and scenic beauty. It offers a mix of stocked and wild trout, as well as the opportunity to fish in Pennsylvania’s oil region. You’ll get some seriously great fishing here!
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Spin fishing with small lures and bait fishing can also be effective.
Trout Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Little Lehigh Creek
Location
Allentown, Lehigh County
Overview
Little Lehigh Creek is a popular trout fishery in eastern Pennsylvania. It offers a mix of stocked and holdover trout in a picturesque setting, and many fly fishermen have said this is the best trout fishing spot for a hundred miles.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Sight fishing and matching the hatch are essential.
Trout Species
Brown Trout and Rainbows.
Loyalhanna Creek
Location
Ligonier, Westmoreland County
Overview
Loyalhanna Creek is a scenic waterway that offers a mix of stocked and wild trout fishing. It flows through forested areas and features a variety of fishing opportunities.
Best Techniques
Fly fishing with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Spin fishing with small lures can also be effective.
Trout Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown, and Brook Trout.
Trout Species
Brown Trout
Brown Trout are a popular sportfish and can be found in many streams, rivers, and lakes throughout the state. Brown trout have a brown or olive-green body with distinct black and red spots, and they can grow to impressive sizes.
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout are widely stocked in the state’s waterways, making them accessible to anglers across the state. They have a silvery body with a pink or red stripe running along their sides, and they exhibit vibrant colors, especially during the spawning season.
Brook Trout
Pennsylvania’s state fish is native to the cold and clean fishing waters of the state’s mountain streams. Wild Brook Trout have a beautiful appearance with a dark body covered in intricate worm-like markings and vibrant orange, red, and yellow fins.
Are There Good Lakes to Fish for Trout in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania offers several lakes that provide excellent fishing opportunities for trout. While many anglers associate trout fishing with streams and rivers, there are lakes in the state that are specifically managed for trout populations.
Lake Erie, Lake Wallenpaupack, and Raystown Reservoir are three very popular lakes for trout fishing. The first can be extremely crowded during the busy seasons, but Wallenpaupack and Raystown are excellent options for fly fishing or sight fishing.
Do I Need a License to Fish for Trout in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you need a fishing license to fish for trout in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission fishing license can be obtained online through the PFBC website or in person at authorized license-issuing agents across the state.
What Are the Bag Limits and Size Limits for Trout Fishing Pennsylvania?
Generally, anglers can keep a daily limit of five trout, with a minimum size limit of 7 inches. However, there are exceptions and special regulations in place for certain areas, such as Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DH-ALO) sections and Trophy Trout streams, which may have different bag limits and size restrictions.
