Fishing Season: January thru June, Sept

Lackawanna River - PA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

50

A & G Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Focus your attention on a stocked stream, smallmouth or steelhead until brown trout spawning season is over.

Directions open in app

Map of Lackawanna River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 10/22/26

Cold, crisp mornings, but beautiful fall afternoons for the next week or so. Unfortunately, this dry stretch is dropping our water levels across the region again. Things are still ok at the moment, but by the beginning of next week, it might be tough finding some good water to fish.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/22/26

Nymphing the faster runs and riffles and looking for afternoon risers.

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 18
Holy Grail Tan 16
TH Zebra Midge Black 18
Elk Wing Caddis Tan 16-18
Griffith’s Gnat N/A 18
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Blk/Olv 4-6

Tunghead Pheasant Tail

Adding tungsten beads to mayfly patterns is relatively new.

3.99

Item #144J

Buy Now

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:

Tan Caddis #14-16 BWOs #18-20 Midges #20-22

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

From Forest City through Olyphant

Best Access:

Archbald, Jessup, Olyphant & Dickson City