Fishing Season: January thru June, Sept

Lackawanna River - PA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

32

A & G Outfitters's Tip of the Week

"Keep them wet" is a good rule to follow in the winter too, when temps are below freezing. Fish's gills can freeze if kept out of the water too long or placed on the snow.

Directions open in app

Map of Lackawanna River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 1/29/26

Our continued cold snap looks that it'll extend until Monday. At the moment, the river is very low and iced up, with significant shelf ice in most locations. Maybe things will open up a little bit next week.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/29/26

Nymphing the deeper, slower water and looking for midday 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 16-18
TH Zebra Midge Black 18-20
Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback N/A 16-18
Griffith's Gnat N/A 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

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:

BWOs #18-22 Midges #20-24

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

From Forest City through Scranton

Best Access:

Archbald, Jessup, Olyphant & Dickson City