Public Land Pursuits in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Story and photos by Evan Buck
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has something to offer for every variety of sportsman; from chasing wild fish in wild places to the pursuit of trophy whitetails, the outdoor possibilities are endless. Pennsylvania is a public land hunter and fisherman’s dream, with approximately 4.2 million acres of land available to the public for people to pursue their own unique outdoor adventures.
Of these 4.2 million acres, around 2.2 million of them are found in Pennsylvania’s state forests. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for timber sales, these state forests offer endless hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities. In addition, 1.5 million acres of the public lands are found in state game lands. The state game lands are managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commision to enhance the habitat of both game and non-game species and to provide public land hunting opportunities.
There is no shortage of opportunities for the Pennsylvania angler. Home to approximately 86,000 miles of waterways, Pennsylvania has the second highest number of miles of rivers and streams in the country. It would take more than a lifetime to fish every creek and river in the state, and opportunities are endless for both the coldwater and warm-water angler. Each region of the commonwealth offers its own unique outdoor opportunities.
Of these 4.2 million acres, around 2.2 million of them are found in Pennsylvania’s state forests. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for timber sales, these state forests offer endless hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities. In addition, 1.5 million acres of the public lands are found in state game lands. The state game lands are managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commision to enhance the habitat of both game and non-game species and to provide public land hunting opportunities.
There is no shortage of opportunities for the Pennsylvania angler. Home to approximately 86,000 miles of waterways, Pennsylvania has the second highest number of miles of rivers and streams in the country. It would take more than a lifetime to fish every creek and river in the state, and opportunities are endless for both the coldwater and warm-water angler. Each region of the commonwealth offers its own unique outdoor opportunities.
North Central Region
North Central Pennsylvania is the location of the Pennsylvania Wilds, big woods, and remote places. Encompassing approximately 2 million acres of public lands, the Pennsylvania Wilds is home to Pennsylvania’s elk herd, the Allegheny National Forest, and some of the most rugged terrain in the state. Deep valleys carved through the Allegheny Plateau by ancient rivers and their tributaries provide anglers with exceptional fishing opportunities for wild brown trout and native brook trout. Some of the most famous creeks for fly fishing on the East Coast are found here; Spring Creek and Penns Creek attract anglers from near and far.
Lake Erie Region
Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie region offers an incredibly unique fishery for anglers. People are drawn to this region from near and far to get a chance to hook a steelhead from one of Lake Erie’s many tributaries. These lake run fish get massive and pull like nothing else. With the area often crowded in the early fall, those who are willing to brave Lake Erie’s harsh winters can be rewarded with solitude and may find themselves a successful steelhead angler. If steelhead fishing is not your thing, Lake Erie itself offers an excellent lake trout, smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, and panfish fishery. This region also offers some of the best waterfowl hunting opportunities in the commonwealth. Erie provides excellent habitat that attracts diverse species of waterfowl and provides hunters with various ways to pursue them.
Western Region
Western Pennsylvania brings to mind coal country and trophy whitetails. This area's agriculture industry and topography from a rich history of coal mining provide habitat that can grow trophy class whitetail deer. These trophy buck are not only limited to private land; every year, large deer are harvested in Western Pennsylvania’s state game lands and state forests. Western Pennsylvania is also home to the Allegheny River, which not only provides anglers with great smallmouth bass fishing opportunities, but also excellent muskie opportunities. These elusive fish are known as the fish of 10,000 casts, but patience and persistence can reward an angler with a predatory beast more than 50 inches in length.
South Central Region
South Central Pennsylvania can be easily recognized by its endless ridges and wide valleys. It is home to the mighty Susquehanna River, considered one of the oldest rivers on the planet. The Susquehanna boasts incredible warmwater fishing opportunities. Trophy smallmouth bass, muskie, carp, and catfish call this river home. Flathead catfish found in the Susquehanna can grow to monstrous proportions; the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commision verified a 66-pound, record-breaking flathead caught out of the river in 2023. This region’s mixture of agriculture and densely wooded ridges also provides great turkey and pheasant hunting opportunities for those who prefer to hunt.
Southeast Region
It may seem difficult to find outdoor recreation opportunities in southeastern Pennsylvania’s urban sprawl, but the opportunities are there for those who are willing to find them. Valley Forge National Historical Park provides a difficult and technical wild trout fishery for both the fly and conventional gear angler. The Delaware River in Philadelphia provides a unique tidal fishery found only in this region. The Delaware is one of the few rivers in the state that remains undammed, and as a result, it provides opportunities for shad and striped bass fishing. While there may be less public land found in this region, the whitetail deer found here are some of the larger in the state.
Northeast Region
Northeast Pennsylvania is home to the Pocono Mountains and the upper Delaware River. The Poconos offer numerous trout streams to explore, many of which support wild trout populations. Large populations of whitetail deer and black bear call this area home and are sought after by hunters. The wetlands of the Poconos also provide waterfowl hunting opportunities for those who seek them. The upper Delaware River, which straddles the border between Pennsylvania and New York, is a destination fishery renowned among fly fishermen. This fishery gives fly anglers the opportunity to target large brown trout and wild rainbow trout during some of the best dry fly hatches in the northeast.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has something to offer for every outdoors enthusiast. Whether your pursuit is hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, the vast swathes of public lands and rivers have something to offer. Every ridge and every valley has a secret to be discovered, so get out there and explore.
