Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Guide

Feature Streams

(click stream name for more information and detailed name)

  • Elk Creek
  • Falling Springs
  • Lehigh River
  • Little Juniata River
  • Little Lehigh Creek
  • Penns Creek
  • Pine Creek Fly Fishing Report
  • Spring Creek Fly Fishing Report
  • Yellow Breeches

Books, DVDs and Maps

Trout Streams and Hatches of Pennsylvania; A Complete Fly-Fishing Guide to 140 Rivers and Streams (aka, the Bible of PA fly fishing)
Pocketguide to Pennsylvania Hatches
Flyfisher's Guide to Pennsylvania (Flyfisher's Guide Series)
Trout Unlimited's Guide to Pennsylvania Limestone Streams

PA Fly Shops, Fly Fishing Guides and Outfitters

A listing of fly shops, guides and outfitters organized by region is available here.

PA Trout Stream Special Regulations

Catch-and-Release (C&R)

  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season).
  • Fishing hours - one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
  • No Trout may be killed or had in possession.
  • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with flies or streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing equipment.
  • The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural of molded), or any other edible substance is prohibited.
  • Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted.
  • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.

Catch-and Release All Tackle (CRAT)

  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season).
  • No trout may be killed or had in possession.
  • Fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies or streamers, natural bait, baitfish, and fishbait. Spinning or fly fishing gear may be used.

Catch-and-Release Fly Fishing Only (CRFFO)

  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season).
  • Fishing hours - one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
  • No trout may be killed or had in possession.
  • Fishing may be done with artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials, so long as all flies are constructed in a normal fashion on a single hook with components wound or or about the hook. Anything else is prohibited.
  • Fishing must be done with tackle limited to fly rods, fly reels, and fly line with a maximum of 18 feet of leader material or monofilament line attached. Spinning, spincast, and casting rods and reels are prohibited.
  • The use or possession of any natural bait, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible substance is prohibited.
  • Taking baitfish of fisbait is prohibited.
  • Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted.

Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO)

  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season).
  • Fishing hours - one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
  • Minimum size: 9 inches, caught from 1 hour before sunrise on June 15 to 1 hour after sunset on Labor Day
  • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with flies or streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing equipment.
  • The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural of molded), or any other edible substance is prohibited.
  • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.

Trophy Trout (TT)

  • Flies or lures only
  • Minimum size: 14 inches, caught from 8am on the opening day of regular trout season to midnight Labor Day
  • Daily creel limit: 2 trout, combined species (from midnight Labor Day to 8am on the opening day of regular trout season of the following year no trout may be killed)
  • The use of possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible substance is prohibited.
  • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season)

All Tackle Trophy Trout (ATTT)

  • Flies, lures, or bait
  • Minimum size: 14 inches, caught from 8am on the opening day of regular trout season to midnight Labor Day
  • Daily creel limit: 2 trout, combined species (from midnight Labor Day to 8am on the opening day of regular trout season of the following year no trout may be killed)
  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season)

Wild Brook Trout Enhancement

  • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season)
  • No brook trout may be killed or had in possession.
  • No tackle restrictions
  • The regulations apply to brook trout only; all other species, inland regulations apply.

Approved Trout Waters
Defined as any stream, lake, pond, or reservoir that meets the criteria qualifying them to be stocked with trout by the Fish and Boat Commission. They are open to trout fishing during the "extended", which includes all approved trout waters and their downstream areas and all lakes and ponds, January 1 to midnight February 28, and September 7 to midnight December 31.