At $22.90, a Pennsylvania fishing license is a great deal, offering the opportunity to enjoy 365 days of angling for less than the cost of one month’s cellphone bill.
On July 4, however, angling in the Keystone State is even more of a bargain when the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission offers its annual Fish For Free Day. If you’re thinking of heading out, here are 14 great options to consider:
Little Lehigh Creek
The creek offers plenty of trout thanks to its cool, spring-fed waters. For the past two years, the Little Lehigh has given up the largest golden rainbow trout in the state, including a new state record this spring. Its fly-fishing only stretch in the Lehigh Parkway, from Fish Hatchery Road to Bogart’s Bridge in Allentown, has long been popular with anglers from near and far.
Lehigh River
The Lehigh Rivers’s lower stretches through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton offer angling for fish such as smallmouth bass, catfish and the occasional muskellunge. And the stretch from Jim Thorpe to Northampton is stocked with trout by the Lehigh River Stocking Association. For trout, try fishing at the Cementon Falls or the stretch below the Treichlers Bridge off Route 145. Allentown Canal Park, Sand Island in Bethlehem and the Route 33 Access in Palmer Township are all great spots for launching a canoe or kayak.
Delaware River
The longest undammed river on the East Coast, the Delaware is home to smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and even anadromous American shad and hefty striped bass. Its waters can be accessed from several locations including Delaware Canal State Park and Scott Park in Easton; Frost Hollow County Park off Route 611 in Forks Township; and Wy-Hit-Tuk Park in Williams Township. The confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware rivers is always a popular spot, especially during shad season.
Leaser Lake
This 117-acre lake in Lynn Township is stocked with trout. And it’s also home to emerging largemouth bass and muskellunge fisheries thanks to the recent restockings of the lake by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission following dam repairs (warmwater fish can’t be kept). Leaser is reached via Route 143 in northern Lehigh County; the paved parking lot off Follweiler Court offers access to two fishing docks, one of which is fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Ontelaunee Creek
Flowing for 12 miles through Lehigh and Berks counties, this creek is home to stocked brown and rainbow trout, as well as wild browns in its headwaters. Looking for a good starting point? Try the stretch off Route 143 near Wanamakers in Lynn Township.
Beltzville Lake
Easily accessible via Pohopoco Drive in Franklin and Towamensing townships, this 949-acre Carbon County lake is f5 miles east of Lehighton. It offers angling for large and smallmouth bass, perch and other panfish. It’s also home to some substantial-size striped bass and walleye, often targeted by anglers at night. The water is popular with recreational boaters, so look to early morning or evening for prime angling opportunities.
Lake Nockamixon
Located in Nockamixon State Park off Route 563 near Quakertown, this 1,450-acre impoundment is home to a variety of warm and coolwater fish including smallmouth and largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge and panfish. A good starting point is the fishing pier in the park’s day use area; there’s also an ADA accessible fishing platform near the Haycock Boat Launch.
Cedar Creek
This stream is stocked with rainbow trout three times each spring from its mouth to Lake Muhlenberg in Allentown. You’ll find good access at Union Terrace Park. The upper stretches in Cedar Creek Park also hold wild browns, offering a unique angling opportunity in an urban environment.
Lehigh Canal
Flanked by the Lehigh Canal towpath for much of its length, this is a great water to bike along and get off the beaten path. It’s part of the 165-mile D&L Trail, formally known as the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Two great starting points are Sand Island in Bethlehem and Canal Park in Allentown. Want some guaranteed action? Drift a nightcrawler or red worm below a bobber for hungry panfish; other species include largemouth bass and chain pickerel.
Trout Creek
It may be small, but it’s teeming with wild brown trout. Easily accessible via Trout Creek Park in Allentown, this water is considered by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission to be a Class A Wild Trout Water, the highest designation awarded to wild trout streams in the state.
Saucon Creek
Trout are stocked from the stretch from Reading Drive in Bethlehem down to the High Street Bridge, with great access via the Saucon Rail Trail. There’s also a 2-mile-long Trophy Trout section in Saucon Park that’s home to wily wild browns. If you fish this stretch, note that only artificial lures and flies can be used, and a fish must be at least 14 inches to keep.
Jordan Creek
Considered one of the best stocked trout waters in the state by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, this creek flows for more than 30 miles before emptying into the Little Lehigh. Popular places to try for its browns and rainbows include Jordan Park in Whitehall Township, Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall Township and Trexler Nature Preserve in North Whitehall Township.
Wehr’s Dam
The Jordan Creek receives more trout than any other water in Lehigh County and this spot in South Whitehall Township’s Covered Bridge Park is an excellent destination for a family outing thanks to convenient parking, picnic tables and other amenities close by. To latch onto a few trout, fish live bait such as worms or minnows. Or for a different approach, try throwing an inline spinner like a Panther Martin or Blue Fox.
Kern’s Dam
Historic Kern’s Grist Mill and dam in North Whitehall are popular with trout anglers well into trout season, with the large pool above the dam offering plenty of room for people to spread out. Both stocked browns and rainbows can be caught at this location, which is easily accessible from Kernsville Road just west of Orefield.
More information on fishing is available at www.fishandboat.com Fishing licenses can be purchased online at GoneFishingPa.com.
Mark Demko is a freelance writer.
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