Fishing and Hunting

Fishing

Central PA's Susquehanna River Valley offers countless opportunities to fish. 

Fishing Licenses

Fishing Licenses are required for anyone over the age of 16. Tourists can purchase a 7-day, 3-day, or 1-day License.

Rates are as follows:

Fishing Licenses are available at the following locations:
Union County
Snyder County
Northumberland County

For additional information, please visit the PA Fish and Boat Commission website.

The Susquehanna River

Perhaps the top fishing location in the entire state of Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna River flows approximately 444 miles long running through the states of PA, Maryland, and New York. The Susquehanna is the largest river on the East Coast, and ranks as the 16th largest in the entire United States. The Susquehanna is connected to many well-known bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay, Otsego Lake, and the Wiconisco Creek.

The Susquehanna River can be fished at its best through private tour guides. The Susquehanna is well-known for its large mass of smallmouth bass. The Susquehanna is also filled with a great deal of walleye, catfish, and smaller panfish. Other fish consisting of musky, northern pike, pickerel, American shad, and much more are found within the bases of the river. Due to the smooth flowing water of the Susquehanna and its large population of fish, the Susquehanna ranks among the top of rivers in PA.

Permitted Fishing Guides in the Susquehanna River Valley:
Permitted by the PA Fish & Boat Commission

Northumberland County:
Lone Goose Guide Service
Jonathan R Else
2135 Airport Road
Box 234
Elysburg, PA 17824
570-814-6501

Northumberland County:
Southside Sports
Kenneth S Maurer
1051 South Front Street
Sunbury, PA 17801
570-988-0360

Snyder County:
J and J Outfitters
Jamie Brown
253 Kreamer Avenue, Apt 2
Middleburg, PA 17842
570-374-0170

Snyder County:
Frank W. Angelo
2234 Stull Road
McClure, PA 17841
570-658-7174

Approved Trout Waters:
Northumberland County

• Mahantango Creek
• Little Shamokin Creek
• Schwaben Creek
• South Branch Roaring Creek
• Zerbe Run Rod & Gun Club Pond

Snyder County

• West Branch Mahantango Creek
• Kern Run
• Middle Creek (headwaters downstream to 0.5 mile downstream of SR 0522 Bridge at Middleburg)
• North Branch Mahantango Creek
• North Branch Middle Creek
• South Branch Middle Creek
• Swift Run

Union County

• Buffalo Creek (T-366 Bridge downstream to confluence with Rapid Run) Halfway Lake
• Laurel Run
• North Branch Buffalo Creek
• Penns Creek (0.3 mile downstream of confluence with Cherry Run downstream to SR 0235 Bridge in Glen Iron)
• Rapid Run (from outflow of Halfway Lake to mouth)
• Spring Creek
• Spruce Run
• White Deer Creek (from Cooper Mill bridge to mouth)

For additional info: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/troutregs_nc.htm

Fly Fishing

Penns Creek

Penns Creek was voted one of  "America's Top 100 Trout Steams" and continues to be publicized due to its great fishing. The major reason why this creek is so popular is its large Green Drake hatch May through June.

Penns Creek is known for its inconsistent waters ranging from still to some of the most rapid moving waters in the entire state. Penns Creek ranks among the very top in fly fishing within the state of Pennsylvania. Penns Creek is swarmed with numerous amounts of trophy sized trout.

For more info, check out these helpful websites:

• http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/greatrivers/penns/
• http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/penns.html
• www.centralpaflyfishing.com/Penn's Creek.html

Fly Fishing Seasons on the Susquehanna River:

• June and July - Smallmouth are adjusting to their summer habits. Mayflies bring exciting surface action. From late July into early August, the white fly appears. This is dry fly fishing at its best. 
• August - Shady shoreline and rocky areas provide daytime action. The white fly continues providing evening feeding. 
• September - With the right conditions, all day surface action with poppers and hair bugs is possible. 
• October - Smallmouth are at their prime. This is a good month for trophy smallmouth.

Hunting

Hunters are welcome in Pennsylvania State Parks. About 487 acres of R. B. Winter State Park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, bear, wild turkey, woodcock, squirrel and grouse.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

191,858 acres of the surrounding Bald Eagle State Forest are also available for hunting and trapping.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission web site.