Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania
Famous limestone spring creeks, a Green Drake hatch on Penns Creek, more than a thousand wild brook trout streams and Lake Erie steelhead: Pennsylvania is one of the great trout states in the East.
- 1,397River guides
- 19Game fish
- Apr–JunPrime season
Top rivers in Pennsylvania
Lehigh River
- Stream Sections Supporting Wild Trout Production
- 118 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Normal
Conneaut Creek
- Stocked Trout Waters
- 42 access points
- 1 hatch in November
- Below normal
Penns Creek
- Class A Wild Trout Streams
- 47 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Normal
Yellow Breeches Creek
- Stream Sections Supporting Wild Trout Production
- 55 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Much below normal
Kettle Creek
- Class A Wild Trout Streams
- 21 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Below normal
Codorus Creek
- Class A Wild Trout Streams
- 44 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Much below normal
Tulpehocken Creek
- Stream Sections Supporting Wild Trout Production
- 39 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Normal
Little Juniata River
- Class A Wild Trout Streams
- 37 access points
- 2 hatches in November
- Normal
Check the water before you go
Live flows, hatches and fishability ratings for every one of these rivers, in the free FlyFishFinder app.
When to go
How busy the hatches are each month across Pennsylvania, from the watershed hatch charts.
- Fewer to more hatches
- Prime season
- Runoff
- This month
Typical hatches in Pennsylvania in November
-
Blue-Winged OliveMayfly
Delaware River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Lick Run, Roaring Run
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Autumn CaddisCaddis
Delaware River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Lick Run, Roaring Run
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Autumn SedgeCaddis
Laurel Run, Carbaugh Run, Conococheague Creek(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
-
Fall BWOOther
Conneaut Creek, Elk Creek, Raccoon Creek
Starting next month: Winter Midge
Smaller streams often see lighter or later hatches; check local reports.
Fish in Pennsylvania
Tap a fish to see every Pennsylvania river that holds it.
Brook Trout
In 689 river guides
Brown Trout
In 557 river guides
Common Carp
In 6 river guides
11 more game fish
Fly fishing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's limestone spring creeks are some of the best-known trout streams in the country. In the Cumberland Valley, the Letort, Falling Spring Branch, Big Spring Creek and the Yellow Breeches are cold, clear and full of wary brown trout. In central Pennsylvania, Spring Creek near State College and the Little Juniata hold good numbers of wild browns.
Penns Creek is known for its Green Drake hatch in late spring, and freestone rivers like the Youghiogheny hold trout through much of the year. Across the mountains, a huge number of small freestone streams hold wild brook trout, the state fish.
In the northwest corner, Lake Erie tributaries like Elk Creek get runs of steelhead from fall through spring. In summer, the Susquehanna and other big rivers are known for smallmouth bass on the fly.
Tips for fishing Pennsylvania
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Go light on the limestoners
Use long, fine leaders and small flies on spring creeks like the Letort and Falling Spring. Stalk the fish and keep your shadow off the water.
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Fish the Green Drake hatch
On Penns Creek, the drakes typically come in late spring. Expect crowds, and fish into dark for the spinner fall.
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Bring terrestrials in summer
Ants, beetles and hoppers are standard on the limestone creeks from midsummer into fall. Fish them tight to the grassy banks.
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Explore brook trout streams
Small mountain streams in the state forests hold wild brookies. A short 2 to 4 weight rod and a few dries are all you need.
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Head to Erie for steelhead
Elk Creek and the other Lake Erie tributaries fish best after rain from fall into spring. Bring egg patterns and small nymphs.
Find the right Pennsylvania river for today.
- Top Waters Today ranks the rivers near you on live conditions
- Every access point and parking area on one map
- Live flows from every USGS gauge in the state
All Pennsylvania river guides
Pennsylvania fly fishing FAQ
Where is the best trout fishing in Pennsylvania?
The limestone spring creeks, including the Letort, Falling Spring Branch, Big Spring and Spring Creek, along with Penns Creek, the Little Juniata and the Yellow Breeches.
Do I need a trout stamp in Pennsylvania?
Yes. You need a trout permit on top of your Pennsylvania fishing license to fish for trout or salmon.
When is the Green Drake hatch on Penns Creek?
It typically comes in late spring. Exact timing changes with the weather, so check local reports before you go.
When can you fly fish for trout in Pennsylvania?
Many streams are open for most of the year, and some special regulation areas have their own seasons. Check the state wildlife agency's current regulations for each stream.
What flies work on Pennsylvania spring creeks?
Sulphurs, tricos and small olives during hatches, scuds and cress bugs below the springs, and ants, beetles and hoppers in summer.
Can you fly fish for steelhead in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Lake Erie tributaries like Elk Creek get steelhead runs from fall through spring, and they fish well with egg patterns and nymphs.
