The Best Fishing Lakes In Pennsylvania

Guide to the top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in PA

Last updated on September 24, 2025.

Top Overall Fishing Lakes
Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Walleye Lakes
Trout Lakes
Striped Bass Lakes
Salmon Lakes

Top Overall Fishing Lakes

The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake. Allegheny Reservoir, Blue Marsh Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, Lake Nockamixon, Lake Wallenpaupack, Pymatuning Lake, Raystown Lake, Rose Valley Lake, Shenango River Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake are the most popular places for fishing in Pennsylvania, offering anglers the chance to pursue a multiple fish species. The Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes. Many of these lakes offer excellent ice fishing in winter.

Pennsylvania is blessed with a diverse range of fishing lakes that cater to both warm water and cold water fishing enthusiasts. Warm water lakes are known for their abundance of bass, catfish, panfish, and other warm-water fish. Popular warm water lakes in Pennsylvania include Lake Arthur, Beltzville Lake, Blue Marsh Lake, and Marsh Creek Lake. These lakes offer excellent opportunities for anglers to target species like largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Anglers can enjoy a variety of fishing techniques, including casting lures, using live bait, or even fly fishing.

On the other hand, Pennsylvania boasts numerous cold water lakes that provide exceptional fishing for trout, salmon, and walleye. Prominent cold water lakes include Lake Erie, Lake Wallenpaupack, and Lake Nockamixon. These lakes are well-known for their populations of lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon. .

During the winter months, ice fishing enthusiasts flock to Pennsylvania's frozen lakes to enjoy the thrill of ice fishing. Popular lakes for ice fishing include Lake Erie, Pymatuning Lake, Presque Isle Bay, and numerous smaller lakes across the state. Ice anglers can target species like yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, northern pike, and even walleye.

Blue Marsh Lake, Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, High Point Reservoir, Lake Arthur, Lake Ontelaunee, Pymatuning Lake, Raystown Lake and Tamarack Lake are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish, Panfish & Perch Fishing Lakes

Allegheny Reservoir, Blue Marsh Lake, Glendale Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, Pymatuning Lake, Raystown Lake, Tamarack Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake are popular spots to fish for bluegill, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye Fishing Lakes

Walleye

Sauger

Allegheny Reservoir, Beltzville Lake, Blue Marsh Lake, Glendale Lake, High Point Reservoir, Lake Arthur, Lake Wallenpaupack, Pymatuning Lake, Raystown Lake, Shenango River Lake, Tamarack Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake are considered good choices for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Fishing Lakes

Allegheny Reservoir, Blue Marsh Lake, Glendale Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack and Raystown Lake are the favorite options for rainbow, brook, brown and lake trout. More...

Striped Bass Fishing Lakes

Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass

Beltzville Lake, Blue Marsh Lake, Lake Arthur, Raystown Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake are the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Salmon Fishing Lakes

Atlantic Salmon

Chinook Salmon

Coho Salmon

In addition to Lake Erie, Lake Wallenpaupack and Raystown Lake are the most popular for chinook or coho salmon fishing. More...

Visit the Pennsylvania fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Pennsylvania map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations.