Fishing in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania
Mount Gretna, located in Lebanon County, Penn., is close to several excellent fishing destinations, including several lakes, ponds, and creeks in which bass and trout can be caught. The area is also home to the Susquehanna River, a world-class smallmouth bass fishery.
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Swatara Creek
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Swatara Creek, located to the north of Mount Gretna, is known for producing good numbers of smallmouth bass and panfish, and fishers there have a shot at catching largemouth bass as well. Fishing continues to get better in this creek due to improving water quality, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Access can be found in Swatara State Park.
Trout Run
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Also in Swatara State Park, Trout Run is the park's only stocked cold water trout stream, though other small streams in the park host native brook trout populations. Trout Run attracts many anglers in the spring trout season, which opens April 3 in Lebanon County.
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Quittapahilla Creek
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A tributary of Swatara Creek, Quittapahilla Creek is another destination for stocked trout. The creek also has populations of largemouth bass, smelt, and carp. Trout fishing is under special regulations in some sections of Quittapahilla Creek, so check the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary Book before you fish there.
Speedwell Forge Lake
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Across the border in Lancaster County, this 106-acre impoundment is a popular spot for largemouth bass. There are three access points, and boats here are limited to electric motors and un-powered boats. Special regulations apply under the Big Bass Program.
Susquehanna River
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Home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country, the Susquehanna River can be accessed near Red Hill Dam on the east side of the river along Three Mile Island. The area downstream of the York Haven dam offers great muskie and walleye fishing, and there are also several boat launches in Lancaster County.
Licenses
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Most Pennsylvania waters require a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License. These can be purchased at more than 1,000 locations statewide, or online.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit pêcheur image by Jean-Jacques Cordier from Fotolia.com
