Harrisburg is the capital city of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA, sits on the Susquehanna River and represents the state’s cultural, natural, and industrial heritage.
In between Harrisburg and Wormleysburg sits City Island, a mile-long island in the Susquehanna River famous for leisure, fishing, and sports activities. Also known as the place of art, Pennsylvania is a great place to go to have fun and relax among its beautiful views.
Above all, Harrisburg, PA, is a top destination to go bass fishing with its many productive waters nearby. It has over 4,000 inland lakes, more than 86,000 miles of rivers and streams, and over 5000 ponds covering 160000 acres. The numerous lakes and rivers mean you’ll always have a new fishing spot to explore in Harrisburg, PA.
Top Fishing Spots in Harrisburg
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River has a strong reputation as one of the best fishing locations in Pennsylvania. It is the most significant waterway on the East Coast and connects popular water bodies from Cheapskate Bay to upstate New York.
It is approximately 444 meters long, making it the 16th-longest stream in the US and the longest on the American East Coast. The Susquehanna River is a top Harrisburg fishing destination, best known for being home to native brook trout and smallmouth bass.
Moreover, the fact that it is shallow and broad simultaneously makes it not just the longest but also the non-commercially navigable river there is. The Susquehanna near Harrisburg has large amounts of catfish, walleye, panfish, and sunfish. However, it is best known for its incredible smallmouth bass fishing and as a home to top-notch trout fishing charters. While on a trout fishing trip on the Susquehanna River, fishers will catch brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout.
The catfish in the Susquehanna River come in all shapes and sizes. Many fishers explore the Susquehanna River’s middle section, searching for trophy catfish or their next meal. The flathead catfish is the largest catfish species in the lakes of Pennsylvania.
Fishing charters on the Susquehanna River attract anglers worldwide to sport fish in deeper water for musky throughout the year.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is another incredible place to go fishing in Pennsylvania. It doesn’t just hold steelhead and rainbow trout; it’s also become one of the most popular areas to catch smallmouth bass. With 46 miles of coastline, Lake Erie is the best area to go during springtime, especially when you want to fish for smallies, because, during this period, smallmouths leave the deep water where they hide and come to the shallows.
Fishing charters targeting smallies in Lake Erie often fish around underwater ledges or drop-offs because smallmouths usually congregate there. You find them there because, naturally, they don’t chase after their prey for long distances. They prefer to stay around boulders, deep stumps, and trees. The best way to reach the spots holding the most fish is by boat.
Other Fishing Spots Near Harrisburg, PA
Lake Redman
Lake Redman in York County is a 290-acre reservoir located near Harrisburg, PA. It is a fantastic fishing spot known as Big Bass Lake and holds various other species, including stripers, pikes, sunfish, muskies, and crappies. It’s an excellent location for the whole family with its park and boating opportunities.
Spruce Creek
Spruce Creek is an exceptional spring creek that holds many large brown trout. It is narrow and bordered by bushes and trees. The creek terminates into the little beautiful Juniata Stream and also flows alongside Highway 45. The valleys surrounding it provide the perfect backdrop for your photos.
The cold temperatures of Spruce Creek produce a high population of trout throughout the year. In slow years, some private fishing clubs stock the rivers with small fish. One of the downfalls of this creek is that a large part of it is private property, and on public sections, access is somewhat limited.
The Allegheny River
The Allegheny River, which spans up to 11,747 square miles in Pennsylvania and New York, is formed by Kinzua Dam, which provides it with a yearly flow of water. The stream is located in the Allegheny National Forest.
It is known for its large mass of monster trout and has many nice fishing spots, but the best area to fish is the Trophy Section, which is about 9 miles long. The brown trout found in this river are large, averaging over 18 inches. Here, public access is pretty easy to find, especially below the dam. To fish successfully in this river, you’ll have to watch the water levels constantly.
Little Juniata River
This stream is also called Little J by residents of Pennsylvania. It serves as a tributary to the larger Juniata River. It is one of the best rivers to visit for fly fishing. The upper part of the tributary is freestone and stricken with many cold-water tributaries.
When fishing in Harrisburg, PA, the best spot to fish is downriver of Tyrone because the water here has nutrients enriched by a few limestone streams, and by the riverbank, you find beautiful towering cliffs. It has a large population of large brown trout because of the abundant food in these waters.
Additionally, all the above locations require a Pennsylvania Fishing License to fish from shore or by boat legally.
Local Charter Captains
To see a complete list of excellent PA Fishing Guides, please click here!
Area Things To Do
Harrisburg, PA, is a great city to visit, attracting visitors year-round with its big-city attractions and small-town charm. The beautiful town of Harrisburg is known for its rich history, having played a significant role in the Westward expansion, the Industrial Revolution, and the Civil War. There is so much to explore in Pennsylvania. Some of the most popular spots to experience near Harrisburg are Riverfront Park, Broad Street Market, the Art Studios at Milworks, and touring the Capitol building.
Exploring The Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River’s shorelines are full of fun options to partake in for the whole family and come to life in the summer. Many people enjoy taking a Susquehanna River cruise along the banks, enjoying music, hand-crafted cocktails, and dinner cruises. The Susquehanna River Beach is a fun and unique way to cool off in the refreshing waters of Pennsylvania. This is also a popular spot for biking and hiking along the many trails.
City Island
Visitors can admire the island’s scenery from the City Island Railroad, a mini version of a Civil War steam engine. Another popular attraction is water golf on City Island, a mini-golf course that leads players along the river. South Mountain Carriage Company, Cafe Huey, and Harrisburg Senators Baseball are among the many other fun options to partake in at this location.
Nearby Lake Destinations
We also have great deals available on the following lakes that match your search criteria.
