Pennsylvania is a top destination for bass fishing fans. The state has hundreds of public lakes, streams and rivers loaded with all species of bass. In this post we pull together the best places for you to do some bass fishing in PA.

Best bass Fishing Lakes & Reservoirs in PA

Beltzville Lake

Canonsburg Lake

Cross Creek Lake

Green Lick Reservoir

Hamilton Lake

Lackawanna Lake

Lake Erie

Lake Wallenpaupack

Lake Wilhelm

Marsh Creek Lake

Nockamixon Lake

Pinchot Lake

Raystown Lake

Shohola Marsh Reservoir

Yellow Creek Lake

Boat Ramp Access in PA

Pennsylvania has hundreds of public access boating ramps throughout the state. Too many to list here so we recommend going to the PA fish and boat website and look at their interactive map and county guide.

Best bass Fishing Streams & Rivers in PA

Allegheny River

Clarion River

Delaware River

French Creek

Juniata River

Susquehanna River (Fabri Dam downstream to Route 462)

The Susquehanna River remains one of Pennsylvania’s best smallmouth bass fisheries despite continued below average spawning success and annual disease outbreaks in young smallmouth bass.

Youghiogheny River

Bass Species in Pennsylvania

Largemouth

Smallmouth

Striped Bass

Rock Bass

White Bass

Do you need a fishing license in PA?

Yes, if you are over the age of 16, you will need to purchase a fishing license in Pennsylvania. For more info on PA licenses and regulations go to the fish and game website.

Pennsylvania State Record Bass

Bass, Largemouth (Micropterus salmoides)

Donald Shade, Waynesboro, PA

11 lb. 3 oz.

Birch Run Reservoir, Adams Co.

1983

Bass, Rock (Ambloplites rupestris)

David L. Weber, Lake City, PA

3 lb. 2 oz.

Elk Creek, Erie Co.

1971

Bass, Smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieui)

Robert T. Steelman, Havertown, PA

8 lb. 8 oz.

Scotts Run Lake, Berks Co.

1997



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Bass, Striped – Inland (Morone saxatilis)

Robert Price, Huntingdon, PA

53 lb. 12 oz.

Raystown Lake, Huntingdon Co.

1994



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Bass, Striped – Marine (Morone saxatilis)

Donald J. Clark, Boothwyn, PA

53 lb. 13 oz.

Delaware River, Delaware Co. 1989



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Bass, White (Morone chrysops)

Robert H. Hornstrom, Meadville, PA

4 lb. 0 oz.

Conneaut Lake, Crawford Co.

2002



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