.sf-pa{–ink:#161B2E;–deep:#26356B;–teal:#1F3F7A;–mist:#F1EFEA;–foam:#FAF9F6;–lure:#F4BFD0;–lure-ink:#5A1F3A;–line:#E2DED6;–muted:#4F5263}.sf-pa .sf-hero{background-color:#26356B;background-image:radial-gradient(820px 480px at 6% 100%,rgba(244,191,208,.30),rgba(244,191,208,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 460px at 94% 0%,rgba(236,226,200,.24),rgba(236,226,200,0) 60%),linear-gradient(160deg,#2F4180,#26356B 46%,#121830);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),88% calc(100% – 58px),74% calc(100% – 22px),58% calc(100% – 50px),42% calc(100% – 14px),26% calc(100% – 46px),12% calc(100% – 18px),0 calc(100% – 40px));padding-bottom:86px}.sf-pa .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(22,27,46,.84) 0%,rgba(22,27,46,.52) 52%,rgba(22,27,46,.16) 100%)}.sf-pa .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:2px 12px 2px 12px;background:#161B2E;color:#FCE4EC;border-bottom:3px solid #F4BFD0;padding:5px 14px 3px;letter-spacing:.07em}.sf-pa .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#EEF0F8}.sf-pa .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(22,27,46,.90) 0%,rgba(22,27,46,.66) 46%,rgba(38,53,107,.32) 80%,rgba(38,53,107,.20) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(14,17,30,.72),rgba(14,17,30,0) 50%)}.sf-pa .sf-bar{background-color:#161B2E;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 96% 0,rgba(244,191,208,.20),rgba(244,191,208,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#161B2E 40%,#2A3A72)}.sf-pa .sf-bar p{color:#E6E9F4}.sf-pa .sf-band–white,.sf-pa .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 94% 6%,rgba(38,53,107,.14),rgba(38,53,107,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 96%,rgba(244,191,208,.40),rgba(244,191,208,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(236,226,200,.16),rgba(236,226,200,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#F9F8F4,#EFECE4)}.sf-pa .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 6% 6%,rgba(38,53,107,.14),rgba(38,53,107,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 96%,rgba(244,191,208,.40),rgba(244,191,208,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#F9F8F4,#EFECE4)}.sf-pa .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F1EFEA;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 10% 8%,rgba(244,191,208,.38),rgba(244,191,208,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(38,53,107,.14),rgba(38,53,107,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#F7F6F2,#F1EFEA,#E5E1D7)}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink{color:#EEF0F8}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep{background-color:#223061;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(236,226,200,.12),rgba(236,226,200,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(244,191,208,.12),rgba(244,191,208,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#2A3A72,#223061,#18224A)}.sf-pa .sf-band–ink{background-color:#161B2E;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(38,53,107,.62),rgba(38,53,107,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(244,191,208,.12),rgba(244,191,208,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#20263E,#161B2E,#0D1020)}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#D3D8EA}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-pa .sf-cta p{color:#E4E8F4}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#E0E4F2}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#E4E8F4}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#1C3A72}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4A4D5E}.sf-pa .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#26356B,#5B6FB4)}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#E89AB3,#F4BFD0)}.sf-pa .sf-pill{background:#E7E3EE;color:#2A2F55}.sf-pa .sf-btn:hover{background:#F9D6E1}.sf-pa .sf-card-img,.sf-pa .sf-tile{background-color:#26356B}.sf-pa .sf-q p{color:#30334A}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#F7CCDA}.sf-pa .sf-kicker{color:#26356B}.sf-pa .sf-pf-card h3{color:#0C1F2C!important}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(13,16,32,.38)}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#F7CCDA}.sf-pa .sf-tablewrap{color:#161B2E;border-color:#E2DED6}.sf-pa .sf-table td{color:#161B2E}.sf-pa .sf-table th{background:#26356B;color:#fff}.sf-pa .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F6F4EF}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#1C3A72}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#E8EBF6}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-pill a{color:#1C3A72}.sf-pa .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-pa .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#F9D6E1}.sf-pa .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-pa .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-pa .sf-note{color:#161B2E}body.sfs .sf-pa .sf-note a{color:#1C3A72}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-pa .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 14px),80% calc(100% – 30px),58% calc(100% – 10px),36% calc(100% – 28px),16% calc(100% – 8px),0 calc(100% – 22px));padding-bottom:58px}}
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99
Marsh Creek Lake 23 mi
Photo: Shakeel Alibhai, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Susquehanna River 17 mi
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Philadelphia County 45 mi
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Schuylkill River 39 mi
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pennsylvania trout streams
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99
East Branch Big Elk Creek Fishing
Chester County, stocked trout water.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Marsh Creek Lake: Fachwerkhaus54, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pennsylvania trout streams
What to expect on the East Branch Big Elk Creek
The East Branch Big Elk Creek is a Pennsylvania stream flowing through Chester County. Its Pennsylvania sections total roughly 8.6 miles. Supplies are in Oxford, around 3 miles away.
In 2026, 1,400 adult trout go into 1 stocked section. Flow data arrive from 1 active gauge.
8.6miles in PA
1,400adult trout 2026
1USGS gauges
0ramps
PFBC Fisheries_AllSections and trout layers, Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Trout
Trout water along the East Branch Big Elk Creek
1,400adult trout planned 2026
How PFBC stocks the East Branch Big Elk Creek in 2026
| Section | Limits | Miles | Allocation | Adult trout | Brook / brown / rainbow / golden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Swale Located 400m Upst From Oxford Road (SR-3018) to Confl Elk Ck W Br | 2.01 | optimum yield 2 urban | 1,400 | 0 / 240 / 1,160 / 0 |
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
PFBC Class A, natural reproduction, stocked trout waters, 2026 stocked sections, Keystone Select and Wilderness Trout Stream layers, retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania trout streams.
Species
Species listed for the East Branch Big Elk Creek
Fish shown for the East Branch Big Elk Creek come from PFBC layers, schedules and records, not a complete count.
PFBC trout layers, species listing, stocking schedules and state records, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Flow
Streamflow on the East Branch Big Elk Creek
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Big Elk Creek At Forestville, Pa | 8 cfs, 3.27 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 1:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; East Branch Big Elk Creek at Forestville, PA.
Access
Access areas on the East Branch Big Elk Creek
PFBC lists no ramp on the East Branch Big Elk Creek; anglers wade in from bridges and public land.
PFBC access areas and USGS gauges, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Limits
Seasons and limits for the East Branch Big Elk Creek
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout (regular season) | 5 (combined species), streams, lakes and ponds; minimum 7 inches | Regular season: April 4 at 8 a.m. through Sept. 7 (statewide opening day) |
| Trout (extended season, stocked waters) | 3 (combined species); minimum 7 inches | Jan. 1 through Feb. 15 and Sept. 8 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30) | 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | June 13 through Sept. 30 |
| Bass (Jan. 1 to April 10, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31) | 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (April 11 to June 12) | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) | April 11 through June 12 (no harvest begins 12:01 a.m.) |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 1 (combined species); minimum 40 inches | Open year-round |
| Northern pike | 2; minimum 24 inches | Open year-round |
| Chain pickerel | 4; minimum 18 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye and saugeye | 6; minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 2 through Dec. 31 |
| Sunfish, crappie and other panfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Catfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Striped bass and hybrids | 2 (combined species); minimum 20 inches | Open year-round |
| American shad | 3 | Open year-round |
The East Branch Big Elk Creek follows the Summary inland table outside its special regulation sections.
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-14, retrieved October 23, 2026. All Pennsylvania limits.
Stocking
When PFBC stocks the East Branch Big Elk Creek
The 2026 schedule names the East Branch Big Elk Creek 2 times, the first on 2026.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | adult trout | Swale Located 400m Upst From Oxford Road (sr-3018). to Confl Elk Ck W Br | West Grove Fire Co, 1 Fire House Ln, New London |
| March 9, 2026 | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | adult trout | Swale Located 400m Upst From Oxford Road (sr-3018). to Confl Elk Ck W Br | West Grove Fire Co, 1 Fire House Ln, New London |
PFBC trout and warmwater/coolwater stocking schedules (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026.
Nearby
Near the East Branch Big Elk Creek area
Lakes in the same region as the East Branch Big Elk Creek
- Chester Octoraro Reservoir7 miles
- Chambers Lake18 miles
- Muddy Run Recreation lake20 miles
- Marsh Creek Lake23 miles
Bait and lures on the road to the East Branch Big Elk Creek
- Jim Neary’s Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Kirkwood, 8 miles
- Peach Bottom Marinamarina, Peach Bottom, 17 miles
- Open Air Sportsbait and tackle shop, Strasburg, 22 miles
- Outboard & Engine Service & Repairmarina, New Holland, 23 miles
- Sierra, 107 E Swedesford Rdbait and tackle shop, Exton, 24 miles
Guides and captains for the East Branch Big Elk Creek
- North Muddy Fish & Game Associatescharter, Felton, (717) 927-6324
- Retiredfishing guide, Chester Springs, (484) 645-1764
- Nathan Sanetfishing guide, Coatesville, (610) 955-9969
- Wild East Outfittersfishing guide, Coatsville, (570) 460-2566
- Semper Fly Guide Servicefly fishing guide, Copatesville, (609) 618-1548
- Eyeflyfish Guide Sericefly fishing guide, Exton, (484) 883-3176
Boroughs and towns close to the East Branch Big Elk Creek
- Oxford3 miles
- West Grove6 miles
- Avondale8 miles
- Kennett Square12 miles
Streams worth a look near the East Branch Big Elk Creek
- Big Elk Creek5 miles
- East Branch Octoraro Creek7 miles
- East Branch White Clay Creek8 miles
- Middle Branch White Clay Creek8 miles
Which counties the East Branch Big Elk Creek reaches
Piscifun
Piscifun tackle picked out for the East Branch Big Elk Creek
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs
Photographs of lakes and creeks by East Branch Big Elk Creek
Photo: Shakeel Alibhai, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Planning a East Branch Big Elk Creek trip: the questions
How do I spot the East Branch Big Elk Creek on a Pennsylvania county map?
It flows through Chester County.
What trout program covers the East Branch Big Elk Creek?
Trout are stocked, 1,400 adult trout planned for 2026.
Does a USGS station report on the East Branch Big Elk Creek for this page?
USGS runs 1 USGS gauge; readings are above.
Where can I put a kayak in the East Branch Big Elk Creek?
Walk-in fishing only.
Which limits apply on the East Branch Big Elk Creek?
No special regulation section exists on file.
Can visitors fish the East Branch Big Elk Creek?
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
Where do anglers on the East Branch Big Elk Creek buy worms?
Jim Neary’s Live Bait & Tackle, about 8 miles away.
What is the fish list for the East Branch Big Elk Creek?
brown trout and rainbow trout, per PFBC sources.
Which borough or town sits nearest the East Branch Big Elk Creek?
Use Oxford as a base, roughly 3 miles away.
Does PFBC stock the East Branch Big Elk Creek in 2026?
2 dates in 2026, starting 2026.
Save an afternoon for the East Branch Big Elk Creek
Section programs change the rules; read them first.