Combine a day of exploring in Philadelphia with fishing in beautiful Pennypack Creek. The Pennypack Trail connects adventurers to miles of nature and fishing opportunities. It only takes a short walk to get away from urban streets and into canopies of tall trees over a sparkling stream.
For the new angler, a sunfish or a bass may take the bait. Trout anglers love the Pennypack, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks it throughout the year. New anglers don’t need to fly fish for these fish. Spin fishing works great, says Pennypack angler Carl Haensel.
“Cover the water quickly, using spinners or small spoons to motivate trout to follow and strike,” Haensel says. “Small minnow-shaped stickbaits also work well. Watch closely for any following fish that do not bite. Sometimes, a flash in the depths will signal that there are good fish in the pool. Try a slower presentation like small marabou jigs or soft plastics. When the trout seem picky, use a lighter weight line such as 4-pound-test line.”
Keep your eyes open for great finds. The Pennypack has direct access to the Delaware River, so other interesting fish may show up from time to time. American Eels and Hickory Shad have been known to swim the lower areas of the stream.
Pennypack Park
Beginning just after the Civil War, large areas of parkland were created and protected throughout the City of Philadelphia. The park boasts mature forest along the stream with multiple parking lots along the creek in the city for convenient access. The Pine Road parking area is a great starting point to explore the stream, with easy access, ample parking and plenty of hiking trails. Further upstream, the Pennypack Trail provides miles of access to the creek along the upper end of the stocked section in Lorimer Park and above.
Getting to the Pennypack
The creek rises in Montgomery County near Hatboro, flowing south under Interstate 276 and heading to the southeast for over 22 miles until it reaches the Delaware River. It is managed as stocked trout water for a long reach, from Lorimer Park at the old railroad crossing/rail trail, all the way downstream to Frankford Avenue, U.S. Route 13, in the City of Philadelphia.
Find more ways to combine fishing or paddling with other outdoor adventures.
Adapted from “Fishing Philadelphia’s Pennypack Creek” by Carl Haensel, published in the March/April 2023 issue of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine.
