Fishing in
Pennsylvania
9,304 named waters · 1 stocked in the last 30 days
Pennsylvania's Lake Erie tributaries see a massive fall and spring steelhead run that draws anglers from across the Northeast to small creeks that swell with fish for a few months each year. Limestone spring creeks in the central part of the state, like the Letort and Penns Creek, hold some of the most technical wild trout fishing in the East, and the Susquehanna River carries a strong smallmouth bass fishery through the middle of the state.
Pennsylvania holds 9,304 fishable waters on the books. PFBC has logged 5,418 stockings in the last year, led by rainbow trout. The biggest water in the state is Pymatuning Reservoir at 13,926 acres.
Loading the map…
When does Pennsylvania stock?
Stocking peaks in March and April, going by every record on the books.
Scheduled ahead
Sep 3, 2026 — Youghiogheny River · Rainbow Trout
Sep 3, 2026 — Youghiogheny River · Rainbow Trout
Oct 1, 2026 — Letterkenny Reservoir · Golden Rainbow Trout
Oct 1, 2026 — Kettle Creek Lake · Rainbow Trout
Oct 1, 2026 — Letterkenny Reservoir · Rainbow Trout
Oct 1, 2026 — George B Stevenson Reservoir · Rainbow Trout
Published schedule — agencies adjust for weather and water.
What you'll catch here
- Rainbow Trout557 waters
- Golden Rainbow Trout429 waters
- Brown Trout415 waters
- Brook Trout50 waters
Freshest stockings
Full report →- Youghiogheny RiverBrown TroutJul 2, 2026
- Youghiogheny RiverRainbow TroutJul 2, 2026
- Youghiogheny RiverBrown TroutJul 2, 2026
- Youghiogheny RiverRainbow TroutJul 2, 2026
- Youghiogheny RiverRainbow TroutMay 21, 2026
Most-stocked waters, last 12 months
- Kettle Creek67× stocked
- Fishing Creek57× stocked
- Lehigh River54× stocked
- Buffalo Creek47× stocked
- Oil Creek42× stocked
- Laurel Hill Creek42× stocked
- Lackawaxen River42× stocked
- First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek40× stocked
- Muncy Creek40× stocked
- Middle Creek34× stocked
Biggest waters
- Pymatuning Reservoir13,926 ac
- Allegheny Reservoir12,222 ac
- Raystown Lake8,136 ac
- Lake Wallenpaupack5,461 ac
- Shenango River Lake3,485 ac
- Lake Arthur3,075 ac
- Youghiogheny River Lake2,916 ac
- Foster Joseph Sayers Lake1,676 ac
Major rivers
- Allegheny Riverorder 8 · ~18,419 cfs
- Beaver Riverorder 8 · ~3,426 cfs
- Monongahela Riverorder 7 · ~12,386 cfs
- West Branch Susquehanna Riverorder 7 · ~9,495 cfs
- Juniata Riverorder 7 · ~3,912 cfs
- Kiskiminetas Riverorder 7 · ~2,931 cfs
- Schuylkill Riverorder 7 · ~2,560 cfs
- Chemung Riverorder 7 · ~2,421 cfs
Waters by county
All counties →Lycoming (316) · Pike (275) · Monroe (273) · Clearfield (272) · Luzerne (258) · Wayne (257) · Clinton (256) · Tioga (247) · Susquehanna (234) · Bradford (228) · McKean (227) · Warren (223) · Elk (217) · Somerset (213) · Schuylkill (197) · Potter (197) · Chester (195) · Westmoreland (194) · Fayette (186) · Lackawanna (184) · Allegheny (182) · Jefferson (168) · Centre (163) · Berks (163) · Forest (155) · Greene (155) · Indiana (152) · Sullivan (150) · Washington (145) · Lancaster (145)
Seasons, limits, and rules are Pennsylvania's call — read the official regulations and buy your license from the state, not a middleman. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Explore nearby states
Pennsylvania fishing — FAQ
Where does Pennsylvania stock fish?+
PFBC logged 5,418 stockings across Pennsylvania in the last year, led by rainbow trout, golden rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. Browse the map and most-stocked waters above for exact locations.
When does Pennsylvania stock fish?+
Stocking in Pennsylvania peaks in March and April, going by every record on the books. See each water's page for its own seasonality.
Do I need a license to fish in Pennsylvania?+
Yes — Pennsylvania requires a fishing license for most anglers. Buy one from the state agency and check current seasons and limits before you go.
How many fishable waters are in Pennsylvania?+
Pennsylvania has 9,304 named fishable waters mapped on FishableWaters, from stocked reservoirs to wild streams.