UTERBrown trout fishing in Pennsylvania freshwater
In Pennsylvania freshwater, brown trout peak April–June and September–November and are around year-round, spawning in October–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Spring Creek and the Letort — the limestone hatches.
Pre-spawn browns chase streamers.
Brown trout in Pennsylvania freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeak
- MayPeakSpring Creek and the Letort — the limestone hatches.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberSpawningPre-spawn browns chase streamers.
- NovemberSpawning
- DecemberAround
Where to fish brown trout near Susquehanna River, Spring Creek, Letort Spring Run
Limestone spring creeks, stocked trout everywhere, Susquehanna smallmouth, Raystown's stripers, the Delaware's shad, and the Lake Erie steelhead (see Lake Erie).
What to use for brown trout
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 36–72°F water, best at 50–64°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch brown trout in Pennsylvania freshwater?
Peak season is April–June and September–November, with fish spawning in October–November (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Brown trout are here year-round. May: Spring Creek and the Letort — the limestone hatches.
Where do brown trout hold in Pennsylvania freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, reservoir — around Susquehanna River, Spring Creek, Letort Spring Run, Raystown Lake, Allegheny River, Delaware River.
What is the best bait for brown trout in Pennsylvania freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for brown trout in Pennsylvania freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and change — read the current rule at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat/fishing/buy-fishing-license-permit.
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