It’s a fishing day

Penns Creek fishing conditions · Pennsylvania

Today, 1 pm–5 pmRainbow trout

The bite peaks at 68.

Log a trip here
Right now: 58 for rainbow trout, marginalTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 583 am
  2. 58
  3. 58
  4. 586 am
  5. 58
  6. 58
  7. 589 am
  8. 58
  9. 60
  10. 6012 pm
  11. 68
  12. 68
  13. 683 pm
  14. 68
  15. 60
  16. 606 pm
  17. 60
  18. 60
  19. 589 pm
  20. 58
  21. 58
  22. 58Tue
  23. 58
  24. 58
  25. 583 am
  26. 58
  27. 58
  28. 586 am
  29. 58
  30. 58
  31. 589 am
  32. 58
  33. 58
  34. 5812 pm
  35. 58
  36. 58
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Rainbow trout range 45–68°

Wind
1 mph

From the west

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:32 am

Sky
Mostly Clear

No rain expected

Air
37°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Steady

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Pennsylvania regulations for these waters.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

68MarginalToday, 1 pm–5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

7" minimum · 3 a day (Jan 1–Feb 15, Sep 7–Dec 31); 7" minimum · 5 a day (Apr 3–Sep 6)

Catch and release only today. Pennsylvania streams: 7" minimum, 5 trout a day (combined species) from 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April through Labor Day; extended season 3 a day on stocked waters (catch and release on waters not stocked). Stocked waters close Feb 16 until the opener.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Pennsylvania

Season here: Apr–May, Oct–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

68MarginalToday, 1 pm–5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

50 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Pennsylvania inland waters: no minimum, open year-round, 50 a day in the combined panfish group. Stocked-trout-water rules still apply.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Pennsylvania

Last checked 8 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Sep, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on common carp

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

60MarginalToday, 1 pm–5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Brown trout feeds less actively under bright moon. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

7" minimum · 3 a day (Jan 1–Feb 15, Sep 7–Dec 31); 7" minimum · 5 a day (Apr 3–Sep 6)

Catch and release only today. Pennsylvania streams: 7" minimum, 5 trout a day (combined species) from 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April through Labor Day; extended season 3 a day on stocked waters (catch and release on waters not stocked). Stocked waters close Feb 16 until the opener.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Pennsylvania

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.40 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:32 am
  • Sunset today6:14 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 7:40 am–8:40 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:10 pm–2:10 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 5:40 pm–6:40 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. PA Fish & Boat Commission has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

Pennsylvania's largest limestone-influenced freestone — central-PA water famous for its wild brown trout and the spectacular green drake hatch each spring. A big, brawling creek with catch-and-release fly water and miles of public access.

Pennsylvania: at Poe Paddy the creek is an all-tackle slot-limit reach, 2 trout a day from 7" to under 12" from opening day through Labor Day and no harvest after. From 600 meters below Swift Run the next 7.48 miles are catch and release, artificial lures only.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Spring Creek (State College)21 mi · PennsylvaniaBest today 1 pm–6 pm
68Marginal

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Penns Creek?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Penns Creek you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Penns Creek?

Penns Creek is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Common Carp. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Penns Creek?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Penns Creek against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Penns Creek have?

Penns Creek has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Pennsylvania: at Poe Paddy the creek is an all-tackle slot-limit reach, 2 trout a day from 7" to under 12" from opening day through Labor Day and no harvest after. From 600 meters below Swift Run the next 7.48 miles are catch and release, artificial lures only.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Penns Creek?

state agency regulations apply at Penns Creek. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Penns Creek tidal water?

No. Penns Creek is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.