The Best Fishing Anywhere! Reel in the Good Times.
Although Pennsylvania may have been named for its woods, our waters are an equal attraction. There are more than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers, along with 4,000 inland lakes and ponds covering 160,000 acres, plus 470,000 acres of Lake Erie. What does this mean to you? There's plenty of great fishing throughout Pennsylvania!
While every angler has their favorite places to fish, we want to clue you in on some of the best places in Pennsylvania to lure a catch. Look no further than the Commonwealth’s established “Pennsylvania’s Best Fishing Waters” program, highlighting the state’s best fishing locations for a wide variety of fish. Species such as wild and stocked trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bullhead and channel catfish, panfish (yellow perch, crappie, bluegill and pumpkinseed), muskellunge, walleye, striped bass and striped bass hybrid have been highlighted within these waters with the best catch rates and widely available public access.
Pennsylvania’s waters have always provided outstanding fishing opportunities for an assortment of popular fish. The Best Fishing Waters program–intended to serve as a valuable reference for anglers–was established by Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission staff biologists who’ve evaluated these waters. Through this program, anglers receive the best recommendations to help them ensure more successful trips and memorable experiences.
Pennsylvania’s diverse fishing locales offer something for everyone
Pennsylvania state parks provide almost unlimited opportunities for fishing and boating fun. Pennsylvania has giant lakes like Erie, Pymatuning, Raystown and Wallenpaupack down to small ponds specifically set aside for children and ADA-accessible fishing. For flowing waters, the Allegheny, Delaware, Ohio, Monongahela and Susquehanna rivers to streams and creeks provide endless fishing opportunities.