21 Best Places to Fish in Pennsylvania for Bass and Trout

Fishing in Pennsylvania is an angler’s paradise, with over 86,000 miles of streams, 4,000 lakes, and a legacy of stocking trout that makes it a premier destination. Whether you’re targeting largemouth bass in sprawling reservoirs or chasing wild trout in pristine creeks, the Keystone State delivers.

In this ultimate guide, I’ve expanded my list to 21 of the best fishing spots in Pennsylvania for bass and trout, paired with local lodging options like bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and resorts that are Instagram and YouTube worthy! Places that you may remember as much as the fishing! I traveled a lot for my career, so I tend to avoid hotels and look for more memorable Bed and breakfasts.

If you’re looking for the best places to fish in Pennsylvania, this is your roadmap to epic catches and memorable stays. Let’s hit the water!

1. Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park – Portersville

Lake Arthur, a 3,225-acre warm-water fishery in Moraine State Park, is a bass fishing haven. Largemouth bass dominate, with trophy-sized fish lurking in grassy flats and deep channels. The lake’s 10 boat launches make access easy, and nearby Slippery Rock Creek offers year-round catch-and-release trout fishing, perfect for fly anglers targeting brown trout.

Lake Arthur is where this September lure challenge video started:

Pro Tip: Use spinnerbaits for bass in late spring mornings. For trout, try streamers in Slippery Rock Creek during May’s caddis hatch.

Stay Nearby: Paper Mill Pines Bed and Breakfast

Paper Mill Pines Bed and Breakfast in Huntington Mills, a short drive away, offers glamping on a 27-acre property with a 4.5-acre pond for fishing. Their canvas tent with a queen bed and propane grill is ideal for anglers. Partnering with them could showcase their unique glamping to my audience.

2. Susquehanna River – Multiple Access Points

The 444-mile Susquehanna River is a smallmouth bass powerhouse, especially near Holtwood and the White Cliffs of Conoy in Lancaster County. Its shallow, broad waters also support trout in colder tributaries like the North Branch, stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Kayak or shore fishing is popular, with guides enhancing the experience.

There is a reason there are national fishing tournaments held on the Susky. It is a smallmouth destination for so many fishermen.

Stay Nearby: Hollinger House Bed & Breakfast

Hollinger House Bed & Breakfast in Lancaster County offers historic charm and modern amenities. Its proximity to the Susquehanna makes it a great base.

3. Oil Creek – Titusville and Oil City

Oil Creek in Oil Creek State Park is a well-stocked trout stream, plus it’s also known for smallmouth bass in deeper sections. Its pools, riffles, and runs make it a fly fishing gem, set in a valley rich with oil industry history. It also offers two delayed-harvest sections, one of those being a Keystone Select designation. This means it is stocked with larger than average fish.

Two feeder streams along the northern end offer wild brook trout: Boughton Run, Toy Run, and Jones Run.

Pro Tip: Fish in October for trout under the Keystone Select program (14- to 20-inch fish). There will be less anglers than there are in the spring.

Stay Nearby: Twin Grove Campground

Twin Grove Campground in Pine Grove, about an hour away, offers 218 RV sites, cabins, and family amenities like pools. A partnership could promote their resort-style camping to my audience.

4. Yellow Breeches Creek – Cumberland Valley

Yellow Breeches Creek, a limestone stream in Cumberland Valley, is a fly fishing mecca with wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout. Its catch-and-release section near Boiling Springs is ideal, while smallmouth bass thrive in deeper pools near the Susquehanna.

And if you’re lucky, you may see some of the mermaids of the Yellow Breeches. It’s true. I’ve met one of them. I was talking to her around the 15-minute mark of this video:

Pro Tip: Use nymphs in summer for trout. I have personally used streamers and inline spinners in the gin-clear water as well. Fish soft plastics for bass near New Cumberland in early fall.

Stay Nearby: Pump House Bed and Breakfast

Pump House Bed and Breakfast in Bloomsburg offers historic charm from the 1878 oil pipeline era.

5. Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay – Erie

Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay are renowned for smallmouth bass, with the bay’s shallow waters also hosting steelhead trout at times. Piers, the Perry Monument, and boat landings provide access, while tributaries like Elk and Walnut Creek offer a small run of pre-spawn smallmouth in the spring.

If you really want steelhead, the tributaries in the fall are the spot to be. And there are some impressive walleye in the lake as well. But for me, Lake Erie is synonymous with Smallmouth bass. Finding a charter trip is probably your best bet.

Stay Nearby: Spencer House

The Spencer House bed and breakfast is arguably the best place in Erie PA. I’m sure they could help plan not only your fishing trip, but maybe a fun winery tour as well! Erie has some great wineries.

6. Cedar Run – Tioga and Lycoming Counties

Cedar Run, flowing over 11 miles into Pine Creek, is packed with deep pools and dense trout populations, including wild brown and brook trout. Smallmouth bass are found in lower sections, with easy road access to fishing spots.

Stay Nearby: Book a cabin

There are so many cabins you can rent in the area. Do that, and hit #15 on our list the same trip!

7. Neshannock Creek – Lawrence County

Neshannock Creek, a 20-mile freestone stream, is a fly fishing favorite for stocked brown and rainbow trout. Smallmouth bass inhabit its lower reaches, with prime spots from the waterfall to the Main Street Bridge. The section upstream from Neshannock Fly Shop to the covered bridge is also another Keystone Select section.

This is one of my favorite trout streams close to home.

Stay Nearby: Parkside Motel

The Jacqueline House, in Wilmington, near Neshannock Creek, offers budget-friendly rooms. Stay for a weekend, and hit Lake Arthur or Slippery Rock Creek as well!

8. Spring Creek – Centre County

Spring Creek, near State College, is a wild trout fishery with trophy-sized brown trout, especially at Fisherman’s Paradise. Smallmouth bass are present in warmer sections, making it versatile. This is one of the spots that fly fishermen flock to for some top quality action.

Stay Nearby: The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle

The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle in Howard offers eco-friendly lodging near Spring Creek. It’s on FJ Sayers Lake as well – which is another great fishing spot.

9. Slate Run – Lycoming County

Slate Run is a top trout stream with wild brook and brown trout. Its clear waters and diverse pools make it a fly fishing hotspot, with smallmouth bass in lower sections. This one is on my personal bucket list. Haven’t been there yet!

Stay Nearby: City Hall Grand Hotel

There aren’t many cooler places to stay than a once grand city hall that has been converted into a great hotel experience. Whuch is why it’s called the City Hall Grand Hotel! Located in nearby Williamsport, PA. Note: Avoid the time of year of the Little League World series, unless you want to add that – and then book well in advance!

10. Youghiogheny River – Ohiopyle

The Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park offers trophy trout sections with brown and rainbow trout, plus smallmouth bass in warmer waters. It also offers some musky fishing, and produced the state record walleye. It’s arguably the second-best smallmouth river in the state. Its trails provide easy access.

Stay Nearby: Falls Market Inn

The Falls Market Inn offers a great place to stay in the heart of it all. Close to numerous water falls, more than a handful of small native trout streams, and Fmous landmarks like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.

11. Penns Creek – Centre County

Penns Creek is a fly fishing legend with trophy-sized brown trout. Its limestone-influenced waters also support smallmouth bass in lower reaches, offering variety. But the main section to fish is between Coburn and Cherry Run near Weikert, PA. This is trophy trout section. It’s heavily pressured, but can be very rewarding.

Stay Nearby: Penns Creek Cabin

If you can get it, the Penns Creek Cabin is right on the water, in Weikert. Just walk out the door and start working your way upstream!

And as a side note, one of my favorite brewpubs ever is not far from here: Selin’s Grove Brewing. Well, it’s 45 minutes. But it’s also right near the Susquehanna River! So maybe make it a bass and trout trip!

12. Raystown Lake – Huntingdon County

Raystown Lake, an 8,000-acre reservoir, is a bass fishing hotspot with largemouth and smallmouth bass. Its deep waters also support stocked lake trout that get up to 20 pounds, making it versatile. What I really think of when I hear Raystown Lake are Hybrid Striped bass. So it really offers a wide selection of species.

If you’re after trout or Stripers, maybe find a guide or charter service. Those fish can be hard to pinpoint.

Stay Nearby: Lake Raystown Resort

Lake Raystown Resort offers cabins and RV sites. Many with spectacular water views.

13. Pymatuning Reservoir – Crawford County

Pymatuning Reservoir, a 17,000-acre lake, is a largemouth bass haven with smallmouth bass in rocky areas. Trout are stocked in nearby streams, adding variety. It’s also known for walleye, pike, and crappie. It’s true a great fishery that straddles PA and Ohio. Double check the regulations, but I’m pretty sure a license for either state will keep you legal!

Which reminds me -I need to write about the top places to fish in Ohio too!

Stay Nearby: Wester Farm

Wester Farm B&B is hard to beat! Either stay in one of their cottages (which are all named after favorite cows), or go the traditional B&B route and stay in a suite in the main house.

14. Allegheny River – Warren County

The Allegheny River below Kinzua Dam is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, with smallmouth bass thriving downstream. Its scenic beauty enhances the experience. While I personally probably rank it thrid for smallmouth below the Susquehanna and the Yough, that’s up for debate. The upper reaches of the allegheney are spectacular, and the waters can produce mammoth smallies.

Stay Nearby: Allegheny River Campground

The Hazeltine Boutique Hotel in Warren PA is top notch. There are also a lot of cabins and rentals near Tidioute, PA.

15. Pine Creek – Tioga County

Pine Creek in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is a trout-stocked fishery with brown, rainbow, and brook trout. Smallmouth bass inhabit warmer sections.

Stay Nearby: Book a cabin

There are so many cabins you can rent in the area. Do that, and hit #6 on our list the same trip!

16. Lake Wallenpaupack – Pike County

Lake Wallenpaupack. Say that three times fast! What? You don’t even know how to pronounce it? Thanfully, it’s just as it looks. Wall-in paw pack. 🙂

Wallenpaupack, a 5,700-acre reservoir, is known for smallmouth and largemouth bass, with trout in nearby streams. Its northern section is bass-heavy. It’s in the heart of the Romantic Poconos.

Stay Nearby: The French Manor Inn and Spa

The French Manor Inn and Spa near Lake Wallenpaupack offers luxury lodging. This is a great way to get your better half to go on a fishing trip if she’s not an angler. You fish, she hits the spa, and you enjoy a romantic getaway together.

17. LeTort Spring Run – Cumberland County

LeTort Spring Run, yet another limestone creek, is a challenging fly fishing spot with wild brown trout. There are 56 of these limestone creeks in the state, but only a handful offer top-tier fishing. The others are less well known, and I’m not going to be the one to ruin that. 😉

Smallmouth bass are found in lower sections near Conodoguinet Creek. It is fun to hit these fly-fishing destinations with my BFS gear though!

Also, if you’re into classic cars, this stream is near Carlisle PA. Carlisle is kind of famous for its car swap meets.

Stay Nearby: Carlisle House Bed & Breakfast

Carlisle House Bed & Breakfast in Carlisle offers historic charm.

18. Clarion River – Clarion County

The Clarion River, a National Wild & Scenic River, offers smallmouth bass and trophy brown trout. Its rubble-strewn bottom is ideal for wading or floating. I really need to film a video here this year! The Cook Forest area is just so beautiful.

Stay Nearby: Cook Forest Top Hill Cabins

Cook Forest Top Hill Cabins near the Clarion River offer rustic lodging. I’m sure there are campgrounds as well, but the cabin is a nice blend of roughing it and still having walls and some comforts.

19. Monocacy Creek – Northampton County

Monocacy Creek, near Bethlehem, is a scenic trout stream with wild brown trout over 15 inches. This is another of those fabled limestone creeks that PA is famous for when it comes to trout fishing. Because it flows into the Lehigh River, Smallmouth bass inhabit its lower reaches, offering variety.

Stay Nearby: Historic Hotel Bethlehem

Historic Hotel Bethlehem offers luxury near Monocacy Creek. yes it’s a hotel – but it was recently voted the BEST Historic Hotel in the entire United States! I mean, you almost gotta stay there, right?

20. Juniata River – Mifflin County

The Juniata River, a Susquehanna tributary, is loaded with smallmouth bass, especially from Lewistown to Mifflintown. Trout are stocked in colder tributaries. Not sure what lures will work best? Check out my free e-book for the best bass lures for every month of the year.

Stay Nearby: Brookmere Winery

Brookmere Winery and Inn offers three guest suites in the Bed & Breakfast.

21. Wissahickon Creek – Philadelphia County

Wissahickon Creek in Wissahickon Valley Park offers urban trout fishing with stocked brown and rainbow trout, plus smallmouth bass in warmer sections. The Wissahickon flows through a nice park area and into the Schuylkill. If you’re in Philly, it’s either here or the Schuylkill or Delaware Rivers. Those are your best bets

Well, as a Pittsburgher, maybe your best bet is to avoid Philly. 😛

Stay Nearby: Chestnut Hill Hotel

Chestnut Hill Hotel in Philadelphia offers boutique lodging near Wissahickon Creek. You can walk to the creek from the hotel if you choose.

Plan Your Ultimate Fishing Trip to Pennsylvania

Fishing in Pennsylvania is a bucket-list experience, with these 21 spots offering top-tier bass and trout fishing amidst stunning landscapes. From Lake Erie’s smallmouth bass to Penns Creek’s trophy trout, there’s a fishery for every angler.

Make your trip even more memorable with a stay at one of the local bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, or resorts listed. Grab a Pennsylvania fishing license, check regulations (including trout stamps and Lake Erie permits), and start planning.

Did I miss your favorite spot? Do you have a tip for PA fishing? Share in the comments, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fishing adventures!