Fishing near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County, population 50,099.
- 11 milesto nearest lake
- 8ramps nearby
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Susquehanna River: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
How Harrisburg anglers spend a fishing day
In Dauphin County, the city of Harrisburg recorded 50,099 residents in 2020. No lake page is nearer than Middletown Reservoir, 11 miles away to the southeast. At 340 acres, Pinchot Lake is larger than every other lake listed here. The nearest PFBC ramp is City Island New Access on Susquehanna River, about 2 miles out.
PFBC species lists put walleye in 1 nearby lakes; Pinchot Lake is closest. Conodoguinet Creek, 2 miles off, is the closest trout stream page. The nearest shore access area is Wormleysburg fishing access, Wormleysburg Boro, 2 miles out. The 2026 schedule puts 8 stocking stops within 10 miles, starting with Marysville Diner Rt11 & Rt15.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Harrisburg; distances are straight lines.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Lakes ranked by distance from Harrisburg
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Access areas | Trout | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown Reservoir | 11 miles southeast | 11 | 0 | stocked trout lake | |
| Pinchot Lake | 13 miles south | 340 | 4 | bluegill and pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, channel catfish | |
| Childrens Lake | 15 miles southwest | 9 | 1 | stocked trout lake | |
| Memorial Lake | 18 miles northeast | 84 | 2 | bluegill and pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, crappie | |
| Marquette Lake | 19 miles northeast | 15 | 0 | stocked trout lake | |
| Little Buffalo Lake | 20 miles northwest | 88 | 2 | stocked, open year-round | bluegill and pumpkinseed, crappie, largemouth bass |
River and creek pages around Harrisburg
- Conodoguinet Creek2 miles, stocked (2,200 adult trout in 2026); Catch-and-Release Bass Juniata-Susq R
- Spring Creek near New Cumberland, Dauphin County3 miles, Catch-and-Release Bass Juniata-Susq R
- Yellow Breeches Creek4 miles, stocked (33,100 adult trout in 2026); Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only, Catch-and-Release Bass Juniata-Susq R
- Fishing Creek, Perry County5 miles, stocked (3,200 adult trout in 2026)
- Stony Creek, Dauphin County7 miles, stocked (11,400 adult trout in 2026); Catch-and-Release Bass Juniata-Susq R
- Clark Creek8 miles, stocked (20,500 adult trout in 2026); Catch-and-Release Bass Juniata-Susq R, Catch-and-Release Fly-Fishing Only
PFBC Lakes_Point, species listings, stocked trout waters and stream layers, retrieved October 2026.
A pin map of the water near Harrisburg
- City Island New Access on Susquehanna RiverSusquehanna River, 2 miles
- West Fairview Access on Susquehanna RiverSusquehanna River, 2 miles
- City Island Access on Susquehanna RiverSusquehanna River, 2 miles
- Locust Street AccessSusquehanna River, 2 miles
- Creek Road kayak launchConodoguinet Creek, 3 miles
- Acri Meadow ParkConodoguinet Creek, 4 miles
- New Market AccessSusquehanna River, 4 miles
- Marysville Boro Schrauder ParkSusquehanna River, 4 miles
Shore access near Harrisburg
- Wormleysburg fishing access, Wormleysburg BoroSusquehanna River, 2 miles
- West Fairview ParkConodoguinet Creek, 2 miles
- Rupley ParkConodoguinet Creek, 2 miles
- Ridley ParkConodoguinet Creek, 2 miles
- Pine Hill Arboretum fishing access, East PennsBoro TownshipConodoguinet Creek, 3 miles
- Siebert ParkConodoguinet Creek, 3 miles
PFBC access areas layer, retrieved October 2026.
Where PFBC stocking crews met near Harrisburg
| Date | Water | Species | Meeting place | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | Fishing Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | Marysville Diner Rt11 & Rt15 | 7 miles |
| March 16, 2026 | Stony Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | Capital Area Transit Park & Ride at Dauphin Boro | 9 miles |
| March 26, 2026 | Clark Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | Dauphin Co. Anglers Clubhouse on Sr325 | 10 miles |
| April 9, 2026 | Fishing Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | Marysville Diner Rt11 & Rt15 | 7 miles |
| April 10, 2026 | Clark Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | Dauphin Co. Anglers Clubhouse on Sr325 | 10 miles |
| April 15, 2026 | Fishing Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | Park & Ride-Yocumtown-Exit 33 off I-83 | 10 miles |
| April 16, 2026 | Stony Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | Capital Area Transit Park & Ride at Dauphin Boro | 9 miles |
| April 28, 2026 | Fishing Creek | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | Laurel Lk | 10 miles |
PFBC 2026 adult trout stocking schedule (fbweb.pa.gov/TroutStocking); distance to the upper limit of the stocked section. Retrieved October 2026.
River gauges a drive from Harrisburg
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Susquehanna River At Harrisburg, Pa | 11,400 cfs, 3.69 ft gage height | Oct 25 9:00 pm |
| Paxton Creek Near Glenwood, Pa | 6 cfs, 1.94 ft gage height | Oct 25 9:00 pm |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill, Pa | 130 cfs, 1.17 ft gage height | Oct 25 8:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 25, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Where Harrisburg anglers buy tackle and hire guides
Bait sellers a drive from Harrisburg
- Thorne Brothersbait and tackle shop, Harrisburg, under a mile
- Dockside Williesmarina, Lemoyne, 2 miles
- M K Boat Worksmarina, Harrisburg, 2 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Harrisburgsporting goods store, Harrisburg, 3 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 3500 Capital City Mall Drbait and tackle shop, Camp Hill, 4 miles
- Gander Mountain, 5005 Jonestown Rdbait and tackle shop, Harrisburg, 5 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 5125 Jonestown Rdsporting goods store, Harrisburg, 5 miles
- L.L.Bean, 6416 Carlisle Pikebait and tackle shop, Mechanicsburg, 7 miles
Guide services listing Harrisburg
- Fishin' Fools Guide Svccharter, Harrisburg, (717) 652-3033
- George Defrehnfishing guide, Harrisburg, (717) 877-7266
- Suquehanna Smallmouth Guidesfishing guide, Harrisburg, (717) 579-4098
- Susky Smalljaws Guide Servicefishing guide, Harrisburg, (717) 712-3499
- Susquehanna Fly And Fishing Chartersfly fishing guide, Susquehanna River, Harrisburg, (717) 573-4217
- Susquehanna Smallmouth Solutionsfishing guide, Susquehanna River, Harrisburg, (717) 576-3735
- Tom Millsfishing guide, Harrisburg, (717) 571-2118
Yellow Pages listings and the PFBC guide permit list, retrieved October 2026.
Club tournaments close to Harrisburg
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 1, 2026 | Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Susquehanna River presented by Native Watercraft (2026) | Susquehanna River | B.A.S.S. (Bassmaster Kayak Series) |
| July 11, 2026 | PA B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series Event #6, Susquehanna River (2026) | Susquehanna River | PA B.A.S.S. Nation |
Organizer schedule and results pages for Dauphin County events, checked October 2026.
Commonwealth limits around Harrisburg
Residents pay $27.97 a year to fish, nonresidents $60.97, resident seniors $14.47; the requirement starts at 16. Trout also call for the $14.97 trout permit.
| Species | Limit | 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 |
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), Commonwealth inland waters table. Lake pages show program rules and exceptions.
Close to Harrisburg
Boroughs offering beds near Harrisburg
- Wormleysburg2 miles
- Penbrook2 miles
- Lemoyne2 miles
- Progress3 miles
- Paxtang3 miles
Counties holding Harrisburg
- Dauphin Countyseat: Harrisburg
A Piscifun kit sized for Harrisburg
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Ridges, rivers and lakes around Harrisburg, pictured
Photo: 420Traveler, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Smallbones, CC0 1.0
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli, CC BY 2.0
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Keystone anglers lodging in Harrisburg ask
Which reservoir or lake is the quickest run from Harrisburg?
Middletown Reservoir, 11 miles southeast.
Which public ramp do Harrisburg anglers use?
City Island New Access on Susquehanna River, some 2 miles away.
Which fishing-only access suits Harrisburg?
Wormleysburg fishing access, Wormleysburg Boro, 2 miles away.
Does Harrisburg have a tackle shop nearby?
Try Thorne Brothers, under a mile.
Which lake by Harrisburg lists walleye on its PFBC roster?
Pinchot Lake, about 13 miles, lists walleye.
In what county does Harrisburg lie?
Dauphin County; its page lists every ramp there.
How quickly can Harrisburg anglers reach stocked or wild trout?
2 miles to Conodoguinet Creek (stocked (2,200 adult trout in 2026); Catch-and-Release Bass Juniata-Susq R).
What is the 2027 trout opener near Harrisburg?
Trout open April 4, 2026 at 8 a.m., with April 3, 2027 printed for 2027.
Which license fits a short stay in Harrisburg?
A nonresident annual license is $60.97; 3-day and 7-day tourist licenses are also sold.
Does PFBC stock trout near Harrisburg?
Fishing Creek on March 3, 2026, meeting at Marysville Diner Rt11 & Rt15 (7 miles away); 8 stops within 10 miles are listed above.
Try the streams around Harrisburg
Stream pages show each trout section.