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Fishing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Fishing at a Glance
Pennsylvania is a paradise for all kinds of anglers, boasting an impressive 86,000+ miles of rivers and streams, as well as lakes and ponds. With its pristine waters and gorgeous scenery, this state is the perfect spot for a fishing adventure.
But before you jump right in, there are certain laws that need to be observed to ensure that your visit is legal. A license is required if you’re planning on catching any fish — you can pick one up at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website or in person at their offices.
Pennsylvania ranks #34 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 7.65% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Pennsylvania has over 86,000 miles of rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds making it a paradise for anglers
- A fishing license is required for anyone planning on catching fish in Pennsylvania and can be obtained online or in-person at Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offices
- Pennsylvania ranks #34 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita with over 7.65% of the population having fishing licenses
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 13,002,700 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 995,240 |
| Fishing License % | 7.65% |
| Hunters Rank | 34 |
The state of Pennsylvania is mostly private land with just 14.74% of acres considered public land -ranking #20 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 28,684,800 | ||
| Public | 4,228,290 | 14.74% | 20 |
| Private | 24,456,510 | 85.26% | 30 |
| Tribal | 0 | 0.00% | no tribal land |
Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Pennsylvania DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Pennsylvania DNR
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
- (717) 787-4250
The most popular types of fish to target in Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, steelhead, and salmon. Brown trout are typically found in larger rivers and can grow to be quite large, making them a challenge for even the most experienced anglers. Rainbow trout are more widespread and can be found in both large and small streams. They are known for their vibrant colors and fight hard when hooked. Brook trout are the state fish of Pennsylvania and can be found in cool, clear streams throughout the state. They are relatively small but provide a good challenge for fishermen. Steelhead are a type of rainbow trout that spend most of their lives in saltwater but return to freshwater to spawn. They are prized by anglers for their size and strength. Salmon is another saltwater fish that returns to spawn. Salmon can be found in Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie tributaries during the autumn months.
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Fishing private land in Pennsylvania
Fishing on private land in Pennsylvania has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Pennsylvania or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Susquehanna River
2. Elk Creek
3. Kettle Creek
4. Allegheny River
5. Yellow Creek
Fishing private land in Pennsylvania
Fishing on private land in Pennsylvania has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Pennsylvania or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.