Every year, on the second Saturday in June, NEPA starts gearing up for what is traditionally known as the start of bass fishing season. Soon after, our rivers, lakes, ponds and streams are filled with anglers of all ages on the hunt for those hard-fighting largemouth and smallmouth bass. And whether you’re heading out on the Susquehanna River, loading up the bass boat for a day on Lake Wallenpaupack or packing the trusty rod and a can of worms for a day at one of Northeastern PA’s state parks, we’ve got you covered with this handy bass fishing guide.

*In 2025, Pennsylvania’s regular Bass Season opens on Saturday, June 14.

Find good bass fishing just about anywhere in NEPA

Bass fishing in Northeastern PA is one of the most accessible, most wide-spread and most user-friendly forms of the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just learning the basics, the region’s plentiful warm-water fisheries offer fun-filled fishing experiences for all levels of anglers.

All of NEPA’s rivers hold healthy populations of bass. And with multiple public boat launches, portages and access areas, finding a good spot to cast a line from shore or on the water is easy. If lake fishing for bass is more your speed, you’ll want to check out any one of NEPA’s 18 state parks. Planting down at a shady fishing spot on the shore with a tackle box and a bucket of bait is one fun way to do it. And at many parks, you can also rent row boats, kayaks and canoes to reach those really good spots.

Find more remote lakes and ponds on PA state game lands or in many of NEPA’s state forests. And, of course, it wouldn’t hurt to consult the PA Fish and Boat Commission for tips on where to find the best bass waters and more.

If you’re looking to get out on the water today, check out this list of some of NEPA’s most popular fishing spots.

Bass season kicks off on June 14, and many anglers will be heading to Pennsylvania’s rivers, lakes and streams. We encourage everyone to keep their fishing spots as clean—or even cleaner—than they found them.

By following these responsible outdoor ethics from our friends at DCNR we can help preserve these natural areas:

Leave No Trace

• Take out everything that you take in — litter can be hazardous to wildlife.
• Properly dispose of fishing line — wildlife can easily become trapped or injured in fishing line. Look for used fishing line receptacles at state and local parks.
• Don’t discard bait at your fishing site — pack out all leftover live bait, bait cups, and other trash and properly dispose it.
• Know how to identify invasive plants — avoid fishing near them and be vigilant you aren’t transporting them to a new location.
• Use lead-free tackle — if you find lead sinkers or jigs, pick them up and properly dispose of them.
• Clean off your gear — remove plants and mud from boats, waders, and other gear before leaving a site. Wash and dry them before fishing in a new spot.

And remember: Anyone 16 or older needs a valid Pennsylvania fishing license. While licenses no longer need to be displayed, anglers must have them available—either printed or digital—for inspection by an officer.