Fishing in Pennsylvania
Let the lure of a quiet weekend of fishing in the Great Outdoors Region of Pennsylvania draw you to our beautiful lakes and streams this spring. Cast yourself into every angler’s dream. Miles and miles of apparently endless streams, lakes and rivers will beckon you to Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest and Jefferson Counties.
Put out the “Gone Fishing” sign and pack your bags, come stay with us a while!
Our region offers fishing for walleye, trout, bass and muskellunge. Wild trout are abundant in cold streams and fast flowing rivers. The Tionesta Creek (near Tionesta) and the upper Clarion River (near Wilcox) are two good locations. Smallmouth bass can be found in the Allegheny River (near Tionesta), Foxburg, and East Brady) the Tionesta Creek (near Tionesta). Largemouth bass are plentiful in Buzzard Swamp (near Marienville), Kyle Lake (near Falls Creek) and Kahle Lake (near Knox). Muskellunge are catchable throughout the Allegheny River Basin and the Tionesta Reservoir.
Anglers will appreciate the variety and abundance of clean mountain streams; two nationally designated Wild & Scenic rivers and the several lakes in the area. The Allegheny National Forest is home to more than 71 species of fish. Most popular are walleye, small mouthed bass, muskellunge, northern pike, yellow perch and trout.
Both native and stocked trout fishing are popular in Clear Creek and Cook Forest. Trout are stocked in the East Branch of the Clarion River at Bendigo State Park while native varieties are found at the headwaters of Tionesta Creek and the upper Clarion River.
Catch and Release more your line? There are trout waters where only catch-and-release or limited harvest fishing are permitted. Tackle restrictions apply on these waters and some are for fly-fishing only. If you’re interested, consider the tail waters of Big Mill Creed near Ridgway, West Branch Clarion River near Johnsonburg, and North Fork Red Bank Creek near Brookville. An all tackle trophy trout area is designated at the junction of the East and West Branches of the Clarion River.
Anglers will want to discover Sizerville State Park, hidden between Elk and Susquehannock State Forests. The east and west branches of Cowley Run, which flow through the park, contains brook and brown trout. Cowley Run is a wonderful stream offering mountain freestone fishing at its best. In fact, it's not unusual to catch "native" brook trout in these waters.
Fishing licenses and online maps are available by county for boating and fishing through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. You can access their website at http://www.fish.state.pa.us to print a map. Fishing licenses are available online or at more than 75 issuing agents in our area. Licenses can also be purchased from the treasurer’s office in any of our county courthouses and at most outdoor supply stores. A valid license is required for persons age 16 and older to legally fish or angle for any species of fish.
