Penns Creek
Coburn to Weikert
Central Pennsylvania, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Brook.
Stream gauge: 01555000. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Penns Creek is running 262 cfs — ideal summer levels with limestone clarity. Green Drake season is winding down but Sulphurs are peaking, with evening spinner falls your best bet through the weekend. Friday's rain (1.85") will muddy things temporarily but Saturday evening should fish well as levels settle. Focus flat sections after 7pm for spinner activity, with size #16-18 Sulphur patterns producing best. Mornings are tough in this heat — plan your sessions around the evening emergence window.
- Flow: 262 cfs — perfect summer level with limestone clarity. Friday's 1.85" rain will spike flow temporarily but fishable by Saturday evening.
- Hatches: Peak Sulphur season with #16-18 duns emerging 7-9pm. Late Green Drakes possible. Focus spinner falls in flat water after dark.
- Water Temp: Mid-60s estimated — ideal for Sulphur emergence. Limestone spring influence keeps temps stable through heat waves.
- Best Window: Evening spinner falls 8-10pm in flat sections. Avoid midday fishing — browns will be deep during 80°F afternoons.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Limestone
- Best months: Apr–June & Sept–Nov, peak late May (Green Drake)
Penns Creek in central Pennsylvania is one of the finest limestone streams in the eastern United States. Fed by Big Spring and numerous cold groundwater inputs, it maintains stable temperatures and exceptional water clarity. The Green Drake hatch in late May is legendary in Pennsylvania fly fishing circles — one of the most dramatic and anticipated hatches in the entire East.
The Penns Creek Green Drake hatch — Ephemera guttulata — brings trout averaging 15+ inches to the surface in evenings of late May through a stretch of miles simultaneously.
January Outlook
January on Penns Creek — the limestone springs that feed this famous Pennsylvania stream keep it flowing year-round at 48–56°F. Winter midge and scud fishing for wild brown trout. One of the East's finest winter limestone creek fisheries.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- RS2
- Cress Bug
Tips
January on Penns Creek is exceptional for those who know it. The limestone springs maintain constant temperatures and the river stays fishable all winter. The section from Coburn to Weikert is the most accessible. Scud and cress bug patterns in the weed beds produce consistent winter browns.
Water Notes
Limestone spring-fed 150–400 cfs. Water 48–56°F year-round. Genuine winter fishing on a PA limestone stream.
February Outlook
February limestone creek fishing on Penns Creek. The spring-fed flow keeps temperatures consistent through Pennsylvania winter. Scud and midge fishing in the weed beds.
Productive Patterns
- Scud
- Cress Bug
- Zebra Midge
- Soft Hackle
Tips
February is one of the quietest months on Penns Creek but genuinely productive for limestone creek specialists. The spring-fed flow from the Coburn area never freezes. Fish the weed beds carefully with scud and cress bug patterns on 6X tippet.
Water Notes
150–400 cfs. Water 48–56°F. Consistent limestone spring character. Open all winter.
March Outlook
March brings early Baetis hatches to Penns Creek. The limestone spring character means the river fishes earlier than surrounding freestone streams. First dry fly opportunities of the year.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Winged Olive
- Baetis Nymph
- Scud
- Soft Hackle Emerger
Tips
March Baetis hatches on Penns Creek begin on warm afternoons. The limestone spring-fed character keeps conditions consistent and the river responds quickly to warming air temperatures. The section near Coburn is the most accessible for early season visits.
Water Notes
200–500 cfs. Water 48–56°F. First Baetis activity. Limestone consistency.
April Outlook
April on Penns Creek — Sulphur and early Hendrickson hatches begin. The limestone creek is coming into peak season. Fine-tippet dry fly fishing for educated wild brown trout in the classic limestone setting.
Productive Patterns
- Hendrickson
- Sulphur Nymph
- Blue Winged Olive
- Elk Hair Caddis (small)
Tips
April is the Penns Creek buildup month. Early Hendrickson and Sulphur nymphs produce fish as spring arrives. The section from Coburn to Weikert is the classic reach. The limestone creek clarity requires careful approaches and fine tippet.
Water Notes
250–600 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Spring opening. Hendrickson and Sulphur hatches building.
May Outlook
Penns Creek in Pennsylvania is famous for its Green Drake hatch — arguably the finest in the Eastern United States.
Productive Patterns
- Green Drake Comparadun #10
- Sulphur
- Blue Winged Olive
- Elk Hair Caddis
Tips
The Penns Creek Green Drake hatch in late May draws anglers from across the country. The hatch occurs in the evening and can last two to three weeks. The section from Coburn to Weikert is the most productive.
Water Notes
300–800 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Spring-fed limestone creek character.
June Outlook
Green Drake spinner falls and Sulphur hatches continue. One of Pennsylvania's finest early summer fisheries.
Productive Patterns
- Green Drake Coffin Fly
- Sulphur Sparkle Dun
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Parachute Adams
Tips
The Green Drake spinner fall ('Coffin Fly') can be even more productive than the dun emergence. The fish key on the large spinners in the flat sections after dark.
Water Notes
250–600 cfs. Water 52–60°F. Limestone character — excellent water quality.
July Outlook
July summer fishing on Penns Creek — caddis and terrestrials in the limestone canyon. The spring-fed constant temperatures keep fish active through summer heat. Morning and evening sessions preferred.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Hopper
- Beetle
- Sulphur (remnant)
Tips
July on Penns Creek benefits from its limestone spring character. The constant 52–60°F water temperature keeps fish feeding when surrounding freestone streams warm. Fish the morning and evening sessions. The section from Coburn to Millheim is most accessible.
Water Notes
150–400 cfs. Water 52–60°F. Limestone spring thermal stability. One of PA's best summer trout fisheries.
August Outlook
August on Penns Creek — the limestone spring character maintains summer fishability. Terrestrial patterns produce excellent results. One of Pennsylvania's most consistent summer trout fisheries.
Productive Patterns
- Hopper
- Beetle
- Ant
- Elk Hair Caddis
Tips
August is excellent on Penns Creek because the limestone springs maintain consistent temperatures regardless of summer air heat. Hopper patterns along the meadow sections from Weikert to Penns Creek village produce large brown trout. Evening sessions are best.
Water Notes
150–400 cfs. Water 52–60°F. Limestone spring stability. Genuine summer thermal refuge.
September Outlook
Excellent fall fishing on Penns Creek with BWO and Trico activity.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Winged Olive
- Trico Spinner
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Mahogany Dun
Tips
The Trico spinner falls at dawn are excellent on Penns Creek. BWO hatches from 1–4pm on overcast afternoons round out an excellent September day.
Water Notes
200–500 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Good fall limestone creek conditions.
October Outlook
October on Penns Creek — Mahogany Dun and BWO hatches produce excellent fall dry fly fishing. Brown trout spawning activity in the limestone gravel runs.
Productive Patterns
- Mahogany Dun
- Blue Winged Olive
- Streamer
- Elk Hair Caddis
Tips
October is Penns Creek's finest fall month. The Mahogany Dun hatch produces consistent afternoon dry fly fishing. Large brown trout move to the gravel runs for spawning. The limestone canyon above Coburn is beautiful in fall foliage.
Water Notes
200–500 cfs. Water 48–56°F. Excellent fall limestone creek conditions. Brown trout spawning season.
November Outlook
November late-season fishing on Penns Creek. Brown trout spawning concludes and the limestone spring character keeps the river open and fishable. Late BWO activity.
Productive Patterns
- Midge Nymph
- Scud
- Cress Bug
- BWO (early month)
Tips
November on Penns Creek is quiet and productive. The limestone springs keep the water flowing and fish active. Scud and cress bug patterns in the weed beds produce consistent late-season results. The creek is beautiful in late fall.
Water Notes
150–400 cfs. Water 48–56°F. Limestone spring character. Late season fishing.
December Outlook
December limestone creek fishing on Penns Creek. The spring-fed flow never freezes and the wild brown trout feed year-round. Scud and midge patterns in the weed beds. One of Pennsylvania's finest winter fisheries.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- Cress Bug
- RS2
Tips
December on Penns Creek is real fishing — the limestone springs keep water flowing and temperatures constant. Fish the weed bed sections near Coburn with scud and cress bug patterns. A quiet, rewarding winter outing on one of Pennsylvania's legendary streams.
Water Notes
150–400 cfs. Water 48–56°F year-round. Limestone spring character. Genuine December fishing.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Drake Ephemera guttulata |
May | May, Jun | #8–12 |
|
| Sulphur Ephemerella dorothea |
Jun, Jul | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #16–18 |
|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #18–22 |
|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria |
Apr | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
Access & Approach
Coburn and Millheim, PA. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission public access throughout. Delayed harvest and catch-and-release sections have special regulations. Pennsylvania license + trout permit required.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Innovative Angling
- Sky Blue Outfitters
- The Feathered Hook
- TCO Fly Shop
- TCO Fly Shop
- Relentless Fly Fishing
Regulations & License
Fishing in Pennsylvania requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Pennsylvania fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Penns Creek conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
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