Pennsylvania Fishing Spots That Will Get You Hooked
03/17/25With more than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers, 4,000 or so lakes, reservoirs, and ponds, and Pennsylvania’s 75-mile shoreline along Lake Erie, providing a wide range of habitats and fish species, it’s easy to find a prime freshwater fishing spot in PA. One of the best times to reel in a big catch is during one of Pennsylvania’s two Fish-For-Free Days in 2025, May 25 and Jul. 4, where no fishing license is required. Get ready to kick back and reel in some big catches all season long!
It’s important to note fishing licenses are required to fish in Pennsylvania waters, and many areas have special regulations and creel limits on fishing. Anglers are encouraged to study the current regulations for their favorite fishing spots that get updated on an annual basis.
1. Presque Isle Bay
Erie
A fishing trip to the Keystone State wouldn’t be complete without casting a line into Lake Erie’s Presque Isle Bay, the oldest harbor on the Great Lakes. With the bay’s northern shore bordered by Presque Isle State Park and the bay’s southern shore by the city of Erie, the area’s piers, Perry Monument, lagoons, and boat landings are all popular fishing locations for local and visiting anglers. 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.
2. Slippery Rock Creek
Portersville
Not too far from Pittsburgh’s city limits flows a stream known for its incredible trout and small mouth bass fishing. Heading south into Beaver River, Slippery Rock Creek has remote, gorgeous stretches that can be accessed by trails in McConnells Mill State Park. The creek is also the only Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission catch and release fly-fishing location that is open year-round.
3. Cedar Run
Cedar Run
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.
4. Susquehanna River
Wilkes-Barre
The Susquehanna River is arguably one of the top fishing locations in the entire state of Pennsylvania, flowing from upstate New York state to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and connecting to many well-known bodies of water. At approximately 444 miles long, it is the longest river on the U.S. east coast and the 16th longest in the United States. The river’s broad, shallow waters provide perfect habitat for smallmouth bass along with walleye, catfish, muskellunge, and panfish.
5. Lake Arthur
Prospect
The 3,225-acre Lake Arthur is a warm-water fishery located in Moraine State Park. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stock muskellunge, walleye, and hybrid striped bass and common wild species include northern pike, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
6. Oil Creek
Oil City
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.
7. Spring Creek
Spring Creek
Spring Creek, just outside State College, is known as an angler’s dream location and is full of pristine trout fishing hotspots. A favorite destination along the creek is Fisherman’s Paradise, which offers solitude and lots of wild and aggressive fish. Surveys conducted by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission have consistently shown Spring Creek to be one of the most densely populated wild brown trout streams in PA.
8. Slate Run
Cedar Run
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.
9. LeTrot Spring Run
Carlisle
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.
10. Yellow Breeches Creek
Mechanicsburg
Yellow Breeches is arguably one of the most popular streams in Pennsylvania and a premier fly fishing trout destination. One of the more heavily fished steams in the nation, the waterway emerges from various springs near the Huntsdale Hatchery and the source of the creek. A large stocking program bolsters the creek’s fish population, attracting numerous anglers along its entire length.
11. Monocacy Creek
Bethlehem
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 perfect place to come with a spinner rod or fly gear.
12. Wissahickon Creek
Blue Bell
Wissahickon Creek proves that anglers don’t need to travel to remote locations to enjoy great trout fishing in Pennsylvania. 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.
13. Youghiogheny River
Confluence
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.
14. Penn's Creek
Winfield
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.
Find more places to fish in PA, follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Threads, TikTok, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state.
You might also like: Top Places to Fish in Pennsylvania