Fly fishing is a unique angling method that will create loving, lasting memories for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Pennsylvania’s abundance of rivers, creeks, ponds, streams, and tributaries makes it one of the best places for both fly fishing enthusiasts and newcomers learning to catch their first trout. Get hooked at these popular fly fishing spots across PA.
1. Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters Fly-Fishing Guides
Multiple Locations
Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters offers fly-fishing guide services in full or half-day format for smallmouth bass, steelhead trout, northern pike, and carp. This guide is the perfect place to start for those looking to cast a line for the first time. Visitors can explore the rivers, creeks, and tributaries with their friendly service and focus by boat or dock. Guides vary from region to region, but the trips are all memorable.
2. Keystone Predator Outfitters
Sterling Run, Cameron County
Located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds, Keystone Predator Outfitters hosts half-day and full-day fully equipped, guided adventures on the scenic Sinnemahoning Creek watershed, featuring plenty of trout and smallmouth bass. For those looking to make this a multi-day adventure, there are furnished cabins available that are conveniently located and provide a mix of rustic charm and modern comfort.
3. Brown Trout Addiction
Clarion River, Elk County
Imagine the joy of getting to hold a trophy brown trout in your hands while resting along the beautiful Clarion River. Specializing in fully guided all tackle float trips, the unique fishing experience at Brown Trout Addiction offers expert guidance from licensed professionals to help make your fishing adventure a day to remember.
4. Mike Heck’s Trout Guides
Franklin County
Learn the beauty of fly fishing from a true professional. Mike Heck has been fly fishing for over 34 years and has worked as a professional guide for over 20 years. He is the author of “Keystone Fly Fishing” and has been featured on the Discovery Channel show, “Road Trip.” Mike offers full-day and half-day guide trips in South Central PA as well as destination trips.
5. Antietam Outfitters, LLC
Franklin County
The Antietam Creek and it’s major tributary Red Run is stock full of wild brown trout and offers great fishing for beginners and veterans. Whether booking a lesson or a full-day trip, Antietam Outfitters’ guides have more than 50 years of experience with fishing and have what you need for an exciting outdoor adventure.
6. Brodhead Creek
Pocono Mountains
The legendary Brodhead Creek is a 21.9-mile long tributary of the Delaware River, formally known as Brodhead Creek. Go there and see why anglers continue to journey from all over the country for a chance to catch its famous brown trout.
7. Tulpehocken Creek
Reading and Berks County
There is no shortage of trout in this outstanding tailwater fishery! Tulpehocken Creek should be on every fishing enthusiast's bucket list with its pristine wildlife and fascinating history. The dam's bottom release (which creates Blue Marsh Lake) allows cool water to discharge, providing a fertile environment for brown and rainbow trout that can grow over a foot long. Fish may flourish in the cool waters of the 'Tully' but come prepared for a fishing adventure to remember; these fishies are hot when hooked!
8. Fishing Creek
Columbia County
A Susquehanna tributary of more than 29 miles, fly-fishing fanatics and regular visitors will tell you that Fishing Creek lives up to its name as one of the finest trout streams in the state. This creek boasts an abundance of wild brown and brook trout that is regularly stocked by the state and local fishing club. Visitors gather regularly to try their luck at reeling in the big one.
9. Shenango River
Mercer County
The beautiful Shenango River has several picturesque parks, trails, and dams to fish with your friends and family. Come see for yourself why the Shenango was voted PA 2021 River of the Year by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It has breathtaking waterside views, plenty of campgrounds, and areas where you’ll find places to waterski, canoe, and swim, along with bass fishing.
10. Peace Valley Park
Doylestown
As its name might suggest, Peace Valley Park is a great way to unwind, unplug, and enjoy the great outdoors. Throw a line in the beautiful Lake Galena and wait to catch your trophy bass, walleye, catfish, bluegill, and carp.
11. Laurel Highlands Trout Trail
Somerset County
It's no surprise fishermen of all kinds flock to the Laurel Highlands for fly-fishing season. Pennsylvania has more miles of trout streams than any state in the contiguous United States, and Somerset County in the Laurel Highlands is no exception. Rich in trout streams with plenty of creeks to choose from, visitors can spend the day wrangling the big one, and stay the evening at one of the charming nearby bed-and-breakfasts.
12. Honey Creek
Mifflin County
Honey Creek, like the nearby and world-renowned Penns Creek, is often described as a scaled down version of its more famous, larger twin. This creek is a premier, Class A midsized wild brown trout fishery that offers natural food sources like BWOs, sulphurs, grannoms, and terrestrials.
13. Ridley Creek State Park
Delaware County
Ridley Creek runs from Sycamore Mills Dam to the mouth of Dismal Run. A catch and release fly fishing only area, the scenic Ridley Creek State Park is stuffed to the gills with trout and provides excellent angling opportunities for all kinds of fishermen.
14. Erie County
Erie County is the only place in PA to fly fish for steelhead trout in the tributary streams and offers extremely diversified fly-fishing opportunities when it comes to waterways and fish species. The shallow flats of Presque Isle Bay attract large numbers of panfish and smallmouth bass from mid-May to late June. Fly-casting from a canoe or kayak on the quiet waters of either Lake Pleasant or Lake LeBoeuf during summer puts you in a prime largemouth bass environment.
15. Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest stretches across more than 500,000 acres with hundreds of miles of stream trout fishing. From the large tailwater fishery at the base of the Kinzua Dam to the tiny brook trout streams on the Allegheny Plateau, Kinzua Creek is a local favorite.
16. Juniata River
Huntingdon and Mifflin Counties
The Juniata River, a vast collection of tributaries, passes through several mountain ranges and water gaps across Central PA and boasts the perfect river for fishing or floating. From the trout waters of Spruce Creek to the Raystown Lake Region, visitors can enjoy a day of rest and relaxation.
17. LeTort Spring Run
Carlisle
A popular fly-fishing destination within Cumberland County, LeTort Spring Run is one of the finest limestone trout streams in the nation and has been featured on TV and in the book “Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die.” This fisherman’s paradise is as iconic as it is entertaining with lots of nearby sights to see after a fun day of fishing.
18. Yellow Breeches
Boiling Springs
Another Cumberland County classic is Yellow Breeches, the renowned limestone stream that originates on South Mountain in the 85,500-acre Michaux State Forest and runs through Cumberland Valley's farmland, forested areas, and suburbs, and joins the Susquehanna River near New Cumberland.
19. Susquehanna River
Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties
One of Pennsylvania's premier fishing sites, the north branch of the Susquehanna River is an angler's paradise. Along the river and its many mountain stream tributaries, fishing enthusiasts will discover hundreds of miles of stocked waterways to cast off and reel in that prize catch. Local guides and outfitters offer services to help you choose the proper gear for the perfect fishing excursion for all skill sets.
20. Neshannock Creek
Volant
Neshannock Creek is another tributary to the Shenango River that runs for more than 25 miles to Mercer County. In need of gear? Check out the Neshannock Creek Fly Shop nearby that has been in operation for more than 30 years.
21. Little Schuylkill River
Tamaqua
About a 90-minute drive outside of Philadelphia, this “little” destination is actually a 30.6-mile tributary of the Schuylkill River and makes for a pleasant daytrip outside of the city. There are many hidden gems along the Little Schuylkill that are great spots for wading, kayaking, and fly fishing.
22. Bear Creek Environmental Area
Summit Station
Located in Upstate PA, Bear Creek and its surrounding forest area is home to many fishing resources, beautiful trails, and wildlife. Come during late October for the breathtaking fall foliage and then stay for the fly fishing. There’s also great hiking and nature watching for those in need of true serenity.
23. Loyalsock Creek
Sullivan County
Known for its many wide, deep holes and large, pocket-creating boulders, Loyalsock Creek offers fly fishing and trout fishing all season long. In spring, it is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and is home to a population of wild, reproducing brown trout.
24. French Creek
Crawford County
French Creek is a popular fishing destination in Crawford County and for good reason. Not one, not two, but 89 species of fish swim in what is one of the most ecologically diverse streams in the region.
25. Lake Region
Tioga and Potter County
Home to eight lakes including the Tioga, Hammond, and Cowanesque, the Tioga and Potter county lake region is the ideal location for a fly-fishing vacation. While the smaller lakes offer a variety of activities including motorless boating and fishing, the larger Tioga, Hammond, Cowanesque, and Hills Creek lakes offer miles of shorefront to cast off for a fantastic fly-fishing experience.
26. Spring Creek
Centre County
Reel in the catch of the day at Spring Creek located near the historic town of Bellefonte. The most densely populated wild brown trout stream in Pennsylvania, this pristine limestone stream offers a trout fishing experience that is renowned across the country.
27. Lackawaxen River
Pocono Mountains
If you are exploring the Pocono Mountains, make sure you stop for a day of fishing at the Lackawaxen, which flows for 31 miles across northeastern Pennsylvania. This watery oasis offers canoeing, camping, and other fun outdoor activities.
To learn about additional fishing destinations in Pennsylvania, check out the VISIT PA website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more PA inspiration. Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter so you never miss an update.