Fishing Season: January thru June, Sept

Lackawanna River - PA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

50

A & G Outfitters's Tip of the Week

With late winter and early spring rain and snow melt, larger freestones can have large fluctuations. Smaller tributaries, limestone streams or tailwaters can provide more stable flows.

Directions open in app

Map of Lackawanna River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 4/2/26

A cool day Thursday, but then an unseasonably warm Easter weekend. Levels are on the high side, but clear, and certainly fishable. Rain is expected over the next few days, but nothing too significant until Sunday. Bugs overall have been quiet with Olives, Caddis and Stones being seen, but in small numbers. A couple consecutive warm days should produce a good hatch of Olives or Caddis.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/2/26

Nymphing the deeper, slower water and looking for midday risers. Work streamers along slower edges during higher flows.

Local Species Available January thru June, Sept

  • Fish Icon

    Browns

A & G Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Tunghead Pheasant Tail N/A 16-18
Holy Grail Olive 16
Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback N/A 16-18
Elk Wing Caddis Black 16-20
Blue Wing Olive Parachute N/A 18-22
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Blk/Olv 4-6

Tunghead Pheasant Tail

Adding tungsten beads to mayfly patterns is relatively new.

2.99

Item #144J

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A & G Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Lackawanna River

The Lackawanna River begins in the southeast corner of Susquehanna County where its East and West Branches flow into Stillwater Reservoir, just south of Uniondale and about four miles north of Forest City. The final 3 miles of the river before its confluence with the Susquehanna have been too severely scarred by acid mine drainage to support any aquatic life. The remaining 37 miles below the dam contain significant populations of mostly wild, naturally reproducing brown trout, with little to no private water. Nearly 18 of those miles are designated by the PFBC as either "Class A Wild" or "Trophy Trout" water. There is an additional 8 miles of "Approved Trout" water above that. The remaining lower 11 unspecified miles have produced some of the largest fish in the river. Only the 8 miles of "Approved Trout" water are closed from March 1 to the opening day of trout season.

Nearest Airport:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport

Hatches:

BWOs #18-22 Black Caddis #16-18 Black Stones #14-16 Midges #20-24

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

From Forest City through Scranton

Best Access:

Archbald, Jessup, Olyphant & Dickson City