NEPA Trout Fishing: A Cherished NEPA Pastime
Annually, the first Saturday in April reigns as one of the most anticipated days of the year. Colloquially, local die-hards call it “opening day.” Perhaps for those not-so-inclined to fall asleep in their waders the night prior, it’s just the first day of NEPA trout fishing season. It’s a day that marks the turn in the year – going from ice fishing on frozen lakes to open water, from shorter, colder days to the gradually expanding hours of sunlight.
For so many in NEPA, the first day of trout season is about getting all your gear ready for an early start. It’s waking up in the dark, loading up the car and meeting your buddies at the old diner closest to your chosen fishing spot. Maybe it’s more about families spending the day together, or a grandpa showing all his secrets to one lucky kid. No matter how you spend the day, we’ve put together this handy guide to help with everything you need to get out there on the water for trout season in NEPA.
*Pennsylvania’s 2025 Trout Season opens on Saturday, April 5 at 8 a.m.
Make Sure You’re Prepared for Opening Day
The first and most important thing you’ll need is your Pennsylvania Fishing License. Anyone 16 years of age or older is required to have a valid fishing license to legally fish in Pennsylvania. And if you’re planning to fish for trout, you’ll also need a trout permit. You can purchase a fishing license and trout permit online via the PA Hunt/Fish portal or in-person by visiting your local licensing agent. There are a variety of license options like multi-year licenses, non-resident (tourist) licenses and several discounts and exemptions.
Fishing with the right gear is just about as important as your license. If you’ve been fishing all your life, odds are you know your stuff. But maybe you’re just not sure about the type of fishing rod you’ll need, or the specific type and weight of the line. Should you use artificial lures or live worms? What size hooks will you need and what exactly is a bobber? These are all questions that any of NEPA’s fishing outfitters and bait shops would be happy to answer.
Where to Trout Fish in NEPA
NEPA’s trout fishing options are virtually limitless
Whether you’d prefer to grab a spot on the shore and take it easy by the lake, or if you want to get right in the stream with the fish, finding trout in NEPA is as easy as finding cold, clear water. Throughout the late winter and early spring, the PA Fish and Boat Commission has stocked around 3.2 million trout in Pennsylvania waters. You just have to go find them.
Just about every one of NEPA’s 18 state parks offers stocked streams and lakes for trout fishing. These are typically a good option for first-time anglers or families looking to make a day of it. State parks feature ample parking and easy access to fishing locations. And, if you find yourself having any difficulty, there’s usually a park ranger nearby to help.
For more remote streams and ponds, you can also check out state game lands or NEPA’s state forests. And, of course, it wouldn’t hurt to consult the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s stocking schedule to find out exactly where the fish are hiding.
And if you can get up early and beat the crowds, here’s a list of some of NEPA’s most popular fishing spots
Wyoming, PA
This 165-acre lake located inside Frances Slocum State Park in Wyoming is a popular destination for all kinds of fishing. In the spring, the lake is stocked with thousands of trout and offers plenty of comfortable fishing spots along the shoreline.
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North Abington Twp., PA
With over 7 miles of shoreline on this 198-acre lake inside Lackawanna State Park, you’ll have little trouble finding that perfect fishing spot. Kids (12 & under) can also fish the smaller, 3-acre Trostle Pond in the northern end of the park.
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Weatherly, PA
The scenic Lehigh River runs through 5 counties in NEPA, totaling almost 75 miles. Popular fishing spots include Lehigh Gorge State Park, Hickory Run State Park, Frances E. Water Dam and towns like Jim Thorpe, Gouldsboro, Lehighton and White Haven.
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Milford, PA
Target trophy trout in the mighty Delaware River. This pristine, free-flowing river covers over 130 miles in Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties. And most of that is accessible via the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
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Drums, PA
Head out to Nescopeck State Park in Drums to fish this wild, mid-sized creek running through beautiful, quiet stretches of the park’s forested wetlands. Parts of the creek are designated as a high-quality cold-water fishery containing native brook trout and brown trout.
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Lehighton, PA
The massive, 949-acre Beltzville Lake may be the star of the show at Beltzville State Park in Lehighton, but just beyond the dam, Pohopoco Creek offers almost 30 miles of high-quality trout fishing in Monroe and Carbon Counties.
Learn MoreConservation Tip
Trout season kicks off on April 5, and many anglers will be heading to Pennsylvania’s 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.
There is so much planning that goes into a day of fishing in NEPA. First, you have to find a fishing spot. Then you have to assess your gear. Is that old line going to hold up to a monster brook trout? And, of course, you don’t want to show up without the right bait and tackle. Maybe, you just want to hook em’ and reel em’ in while an expert does most of the work.
Well, NEPA’s fishing outfitters and guide services have everything you need to make the most of your day.
