Penns Creek Fly Fishing Report
Coburn, Centre County, Pennsylvania · Last Updated: July 16, 2026
Renowned for one of the most spectacular Green Drake hatches in the eastern United States, Penns Creek is a must-fish Pennsylvania limestone stream. Its wild brown trout, clear spring-fed flows, and accessible public water make it a crown jewel of Pennsylvania fly fishing.
Today's Trout Fishability
Conditions at a Glance
Flow on Penns Creek near Coburn is low at 124 cfs, 59 percent below average and below the historical range starting at 134 cfs.
- Below-average, getting skinny
- Cooling trend
How Do You Fish a 5.7/10 Day?
See the fly patterns built for today's conditions, where the fish are holding, and how to work the 5:30 AM - 9:00 AM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM window.
Today's Weather
See hourly conditions, wind speeds, barometric pressure, and 5-day outlook
USGS Water Monitoring
Real-time data from 1 monitoring stations
See station-by-station details, historical ranges, and trend analysis
What's Hatching This Month
Northeast — typical for July
Sources: FlyFishFinder — New York Hatch Chart,Jerry Bartlett Angling Collection — Esopus Creek Hatch Chart
5.7/10 Today — See the Full Penns Creek Breakdown
Free account unlocks fly patterns, a hatch forecast, and tactics matched to today's exact flows. 3 reports a month, no credit card.
Penns Creek Fly Fishing — FAQ
Is the Penns Creek fishing well right now?
DriftWise scores the Penns Creek every morning on a 0–10 fishability scale that weighs real-time USGS flow and water temperature, National Weather Service forecasts, and lunar data. Check the live fishability score and condition summary above for today's rating before you head out.
What is the current water flow on the Penns Creek?
The Penns Creek's flow is tracked by USGS streamflow gauges near Coburn, Centre County, Pennsylvania and refreshed daily in the condition summary above. Flow is reported in cubic feet per second (cfs) and compared against the seasonal average so you can see whether the river is running high, low, or normal.
What is a good water temperature for trout on the Penns Creek?
Trout feed most actively when water temperatures sit roughly between 48°F and 62°F. DriftWise reads live Penns Creek water temperature from USGS sensors near Coburn, Centre County, Pennsylvania — see the summary above for the current value.
When is the best time of day to fish the Penns Creek?
The most productive windows shift with the season: cold months fish best around midday (10 AM–2 PM) once the water warms, while summer rewards early mornings and evenings. Each Penns Creek report factors in the current season.
Do I need a fishing license to fly fish the Penns Creek?
Yes. A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required to fish the Penns Creek. Check current Pennsylvania regulations for seasons, limits, and any special catch-and-release or fly-fishing-only sections before you go.
Is the DriftWise Penns Creek fishing report free?
Yes. The daily Penns Creek condition summary — flow, water temperature, weather, and fishability score — is free. A free account (3 reports per month) unlocks the full AI analysis with fly-pattern recommendations and a detailed hatch forecast.
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