Fishing Season: All Year

Penn's Creek - PA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

70

TCO Fly Shop's Tip of the Week

Penns remains low and clear, more rain and cooler temps slated for the next few days is needed. Fish the riffles and catch & release quickly. Trout are looking up for trico, blue quills and assorted caddis. Terrestrial season is here, get those ants, beetles and greenie weenies dusted off. Temps are getting critical(upper 60's)by mid afternoon, please DO NOT FISH over 68 degrees. Have a thermometer and use it, OR drive down below Weikert and do some smallmouth fishing.

Directions open in app

Map of Penn's Creek

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 8/9/22

Please call for the most current weather and water levels. 814-689-3654

Techniques & Tips as of 8/9/22

The early bird gets the worm, or trout. Get out early in the day. Nymphing will produce best if nothing is actively feeding on top. A dry-dropper rig is a good bet to search water during summer flows.

Local Species Available All Year

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout with occassional rainbows and brooks

TCO Fly Shop's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adam's Purple Parachute N/A 10-12
Sulphur Emerger N/A 14-16
Bead Head Stonefly N/A 12
Tunghead Zug Bug N/A 10-14
Slump Busters N/A 6-10
Walt's Worm N/A 10-16
Bead Head Prince N/A 8-12
Chuck and Duck Sculpin N/A 6-10

Adam's Purple Parachute

Tie on this deadly purple parachute dry fly to show trout something unique.

2.49

Item #7R6K

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TCO Fly Shop's Recommended Gear

Description: About Penn's Creek

With 35 miles of trout water, Penn’s Creek is Pennsylvania’s longest limestone trout stream. Many people associate Penns Creek with Penns Cave--Pennsylvania’s only water cavern, where tourists glide through the dripping darkness in long, metal, motor-powered boats. The stream exiting the cave, called “Upper” Penns Creek, is small--averaging 15 to 30 feet wide. This is the coldest section of Penns Creek. And though the state stocks this section with rainbow trout, very good numbers of wild brown trout are also present. Upper Penns flows for approximately 13 miles from Penns Cave to the town of Coburn, where it is met by two pure limestone streams, Elk and Pine Creeks--fine wild brown trout fisheries in their own rights—which widen Penns from 75 to 100 feet across. Another important addition at Coburn is the maze of rocks, boulders, and gravel that fill the stream bed from this point downstream, providing excellent habitat for trout and aquatic insects. Nearly every species of caddis, stonefly, and mayfly that exist in the eastern U.S., live in Penn’s Creek, creating a hatch-matching paradise. This 11 mile section, downstream to Weikert, is rated Class A wild trout water--Pennsylvania’s highest designation--and it is not stocked. Trout average 12-13 inches but 14-16 inch fish are common and larger fish are a real possibility. Much of Penns below Coburn is rimmed by Bald Eagle State Forest’s 195,624 acres. This vast tract of wild, public land provides beautiful scenery and a wealth of wildlife.

Nearest Airport:

State College

Hatches:

Blue Quill (18-20) Trico(20-24) Tan Caddis (16-18) Black Caddis (18-20) BWO (20-24) Midges (20-26)

Best Time to Fish:

early am/evenings

Best Stretch:

From Coburn to Weikart

Best Access:

Tunnel Road below Coburn, Poe Paddy State Park