Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Pennsylvania (Full Guide)

Pennsylvania offers some of the best fishing in the Northeast. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in PA can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Pennsylvania are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in PA.

Month	Pennsylvania Fishing Location
January	Lake Arthur is a great location for ice fishing, where you can catch walleye, crappie, and bluegill.
February	Presque Isle Bay is perfect for ice fishing, where you can catch perch and enjoy the scenery of the bay.
March	Spring Creek is an ideal spot for trout fishing with its abundant wild brown trout population.
April	Little Lehigh Creek is a great location for brown trout fishing, where you can find both wild and stocked fish.
May	The Susquehanna River is perfect for bass fishing with its healthy populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass.
June	Raystown Lake is a top location for bass fishing, with its abundance of smallmouth and largemouth bass.
July	Lake Wallenpaupack offers excellent opportunities for catching bass, walleye, and striped bass.
August	The Delaware River is the go-to location for trophy-sized striped bass, and it offers a stunning natural setting.
September	Little Juniata River is a great location for trout fishing, with both wild and stocked trout thriving in its clear waters.
October	The Allegheny River is a top destination for musky fishing, with a healthy population of these elusive fish.
November	The Susquehanna River offers great walleye fishing, with a large and healthy population of these fish.
December	The Youghiogheny River is a perfect location for trout fishing with its cool water temperatures and ample stocks of fish.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Pennsylvania. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Pennsylvania

Penns Creek: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Brook trout

Yellow Breeches Creek: Best months: April and May, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Spring Creek: Best months: April and May, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Little Lehigh Creek: Best months: March and April, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Lehigh River: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Delaware River: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Lackawanna River: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Pine Creek: Best months: April and May, Targeted fish: Brown trout

Kettle Creek: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Brook trout

Slate Run: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Brook trout

Fishing Creek: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Brook trout

Letort Spring Run: Best months: March and April, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Harman Creek: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Brook trout

Muddy Creek: Best months: March and April, Targeted fish: Brown and Rainbow trout

Oil Creek: Best months: May and June, Targeted fish: Brown and Brook trout.

Best Sections of Lakes to Fish in PA

Lake Erie: Great for fishing walleye, steelhead, and perch year-round.

Raystown Lake: Best for bass fishing during the summer months and trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Lake Wallenpaupack: Great for bass fishing during the summer and trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Lake Nockamixon: Best for bass fishing during the summer months and trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Blue Marsh Lake: Best for bass fishing during the summer months and trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Shenango River Lake: Great for walleye and smallmouth bass fishing during the summer and fall.

Pymatuning Reservoir: Best for crappie and bluegill fishing during the spring and fall.

Lake Arthur: Great for bass and musky fishing during the summer and fall.

Lake Wilhelm: Best for bass and walleye fishing during the summer months and trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Marsh Creek Lake: Great for bass and panfish fishing during the summer months and trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Glendale Lake: Best for trout fishing during the spring and fall.

Yellow Creek Lake: Great for trout and panfish fishing during the spring and fall.

Keystone Lake: Best for musky and walleye fishing during the summer and fall.

Laurel Hill Lake: Great for trout and bass fishing during the spring and fall.

Cowans Gap Lake: Best for trout and panfish fishing during the spring and fall.

Recommended Fishing Guides in PA

These PA-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Dog’s Life Sport Fishing	Erie, PA
Old Timer Charters – Lake Erie	Fairview, PA
Ditch Chicken Charters	Erie, PA
Endless Mountains Guide Service	Towanda, PA
Thomas’ Guide Services	West Springfield, PA
Bass Fishing Lake Erie	Erie, PA
Chasing Dreams Sportfishing	Fairview, PA
D.D. Rod Father Sportfishing	Erie, PA

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Brook Trout

If you want to fly fish for brook trout in Pennsylvania, the best time is usually in the spring and early summer, from late April to June. The best time of day is in the morning or late afternoon when the water is cooler, and the fish are more active. Some great locations for fly fishing brook trout in PA include Penns Creek, Spruce Creek, and the Little Juniata River.

Brown Trout

Brown trout can be caught year-round, but the best time to fish for them is from late April to early June and from September to early November.

Early morning and late evening are the best times of day to fish for brown trout. Some of the best locations for fly fishing for brown trout in Pennsylvania include the Lehigh River, Penns Creek, and Spring Creek.

Steelhead (Lake Run Rainbow Trout)

As for steelhead in Pennsylvania, it’s important to know that they are primarily anadromous and will only be found in the state’s tributaries to Lake Erie during their fall and winter spawning runs. The best time to fish for them is generally from October through early December, and then again from mid-March through early May.

During these times, early morning and late afternoon/evening are typically the best times of day to fish. Some of the best locations to fly fish for steelhead in PA include Elk Creek, Walnut Creek, and Twenty Mile Creek.

Rainbow Trout

The best time to fly fish for rainbow trout in Pennsylvania is in the spring and fall months. Early mornings and evenings are usually the best times of day to catch them. Some great locations to fly fish for rainbow trout in Pennsylvania include the Lehigh River, Spring Creek, and Penns Creek.

Northern Pike

The best time to fish for pike in Pennsylvania is from late spring to early summer when the water is warm. Early morning and late evening are the best times to catch pike. Some of the best locations to fish for pike in Pennsylvania include Lake Nockamixon, Allegheny Reservoir, and the Susquehanna River.

Musky

Musky are best caught during the fall months of September through November. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for musky. Some of the best locations to catch musky in Pennsylvania are Lake Arthur, Shenango River Lake, and the Allegheny River.

Crappie

Crappie fishing in Pennsylvania is best during the spring and fall months, particularly in April and May and September and October. They can be caught at any time of day, but they tend to be more active during dawn and dusk. Some good locations to catch crappie include Lake Erie, Pymatuning Reservoir, and Raystown Lake.

American Shad

American shad are migratory fish that run up the Delaware River to spawn in the spring, making April and May the best months to catch them. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for shad, and some of the best locations to catch them in Pennsylvania include the Delaware River near Easton and the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia.

Striped Bass

The best time to fish for striped bass in Pennsylvania is during the spring and fall, typically from April to early June and late September to early November. Striped bass are most active during low light conditions, such as early morning or late afternoon.

Pennsylvania’s best locations for striped bass fishing include the Delaware River, the Susquehanna River, Raystown Lake, and Lake Wallenpaupack.

American Eels

The best time to fish for American eels in Pennsylvania is during the late summer and fall months, typically from August to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for eels when they are most active.

Some of Pennsylvania’s top locations for American eel fishing include the Delaware River, Schuylkill River, Susquehanna River, and Ohio River.

Walleye

Walleye fishing in Pennsylvania is best during the spring and fall months, typically from April to May and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for walleye when they are most active.

Some of Pennsylvania’s top locations for walleye fishing include Pymatuning Lake, Lake Erie, Raystown Lake, and the Susquehanna River.

Catfish

The best time to fish for catfish in Pennsylvania is during the summer months, typically from June to August. Nighttime is the best time to fish for catfish when they are most active. Some of Pennsylvania’s top locations for catfish fishing include the Susquehanna River, Ohio River, Schuylkill River, and Delaware River.

Largemouth Bass

The best time to fish for largemouth bass in Pennsylvania is during the late spring and summer months, typically from May to August.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for largemouth bass when they are most active. Some of Pennsylvania’s top locations for largemouth bass fishing include Lake Erie, Raystown Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, and the Susquehanna River.

Smallmouth Bass

The best time to fish for smallmouth bass in Pennsylvania is during the late spring and summer months, typically from May to August. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for smallmouth bass when they are most active.

Some of Pennsylvania’s top locations for smallmouth bass fishing include the Susquehanna River, Juniata River, Delaware River, and Raystown Lake.

Carp

Carp can be caught year-round in Pennsylvania, but the best time to fish for them is spring and fall. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to fish for carp, and some of the best locations in Pennsylvania for carp fishing include Lake Erie, the Delaware River, the Susquehanna River, and the Schuylkill River.

Yellow Perch

The best time to fish for perch in Pennsylvania is during the spring and fall months, specifically in April and September. The best time of day to catch them is early morning or late afternoon, and some of the best locations to fish for perch include Lake Erie, Pymatuning Reservoir, and Conneaut Lake.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Montana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Colorado. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ontario. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Quebec. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in New York. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Rhode Island. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Connecticut. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Delaware.

Best Fishing in Pennsylvania on Seasonal Basis

Winter

If you enjoy ice fishing, Lake Arthur near Butler is a great place to catch walleye, crappie, and bluegill during winter.
Another great ice fishing spot is Presque Isle Bay near Erie. This bay is known for its perch population and is a great place to catch this species during the winter.
If you prefer open-water fishing, the Youghiogheny River near Ohiopyle is a great place to fish for trout in winter. The river is stocked with trout during winter, and the colder water temperatures can make for some great fishing.
Finally, if you’re looking to catch some monster fish, the Delaware River near Easton is a great place to try for striped bass during the winter. While the river can be difficult to fish during the winter, the potential for catching a trophy-sized striped bass.

Spring

If you’re looking for trout, try fishing in Spring Creek near Bellefonte. Spring Creek is a world-renowned trout stream and one of the state’s best places to fish for trout.
Another great spot for trout is the Little Lehigh Creek near Allentown. This creek is stocked with trout yearly and is known for its large population of wild brown trout.
If you’re interested in bass fishing, the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg is a great place to try. This river is home to both smallmouth and largemouth bass and offers some of the best bass fishing in the state.
Finally, if you want to try fishing for musky, head to the Allegheny River near Franklin. This river is known for its musky population and offers some of the best musky fishing in the state.

Summer

If you enjoy trout fishing, Penns Creek near State College is a great place to try during the summer months. The creek is known for its excellent hatches and is home to both wild and stocked trout.
For bass fishing, Raystown Lake near Huntingdon is a great spot. This lake is home to both smallmouth and largemouth bass and offers some of the best bass fishing in the state.
Another great place for bass fishing is Lake Wallenpaupack near Hawley. This lake is known for its large population of smallmouth and largemouth bass and other species such as walleye and striped bass.
Finally, if you’re looking to catch some big catfish, the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg is a great place to try during the summer.

Fall

For trout fishing, the Little Juniata River near Tyrone is a great spot to try during the fall months. The river is known for its excellent hatches and is home to both wild and stocked trout.
If you’re interested in musky fishing, the Allegheny River near Franklin is a great place to try during the fall. The river is home to a large musky population, and the cooler fall temperatures can make for some excellent fishing.
For walleye fishing, try the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg during the fall. The river is known for its large walleye population, and the cooler fall water temperatures can make for some great fishing.
Finally, if you’re looking for a unique fishing experience, try the Lehigh River near Jim Thorpe during the fall. The river is stocked with rainbow and brown trout and various other species, and the fall foliage can make for a beautiful backdrop while you fish.