Fishing Season: January thru June, Sept

Lackawanna River - PA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

A & G Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Mid October through mid December is spawn time for browns in the Lackawanna and most of our area's popular waterways. We'd strongly recommend avoid wading in rivers and streams with natural reproduction until the spawn is over. Alternative fishing options this time of year are: stocked trout waters, bass fishing and great lake tributaries for salmon and steelhead.

Directions open in app

Map of Lackawanna River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 10/22/25

The fall feel is here with nights in the 30s and days in the 50s. We're still sitting in a pretty tough drought, with not much relief coming until maybe the end of next week.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/22/25

Nymphing the faster 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
Bead Head Caddis Pupa Tan/Green 16-18
Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback N/A 16-18
Elk Wing Caddis Tan/Olive 16-18
Flying Ant Blk/Cinn 16-18
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 #18-20 Flying Ants #16-18 Tan Caddis #16 Olive Caddis #16

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

From Forest City through Scranton

Best Access:

Archbald, Jessup, Olyphant & Dickson City