If most anglers were asked to list all of the great fishing destinations that the Keystone State has to offer, the Philadelphia area would not be likely to appear on many of those lists. But in spite of being overshadowed by so many great fishing spots elsewhere around the state, Pennsylvania's largest city and its surroundings have some fabulous angling action waiting for anyone who will cast a line into the waters of the county.

I am a bit envious of the anglers who either live here or travel frequently to the region. They get to fish some of the first warm water of the year, as this part of the state is typically the first to start getting spring-like weather. That can occur as early as late February, although it is typically March until warmer weather prevails in the region. That means that fish that were lethargic are suddenly active and eager to bite what anglers may offer them.

Foremost in the region is the Delaware River and all the possibilities that go with it. Striped bass and American Shad are two of the biggest targets there for anglers, as the two species migrate from the Atlantic Ocean, through the Delaware Bay, and into the brackish waters of the big river to spawn. Their venture takes them past hundreds of potential hotspots where anglers can cast their lines in hopes of making a hookup with one of these great sport fish.

Shore-bound anglers have numerous locations to choose from along this stretch of the river. However, those areas in and around bridges offer a major current break for the fish to rest in and become prime targets for anglers to cast their offerings. The many shoreline points and manmade constructions also serve the same purpose, although many of these can be off-limits to anglers because they are associated with private companies. Don't forget about the fishing piers during your adventure. I know they tend to be well used and often crowded, but that does not mean they don't offer great possibilities. Try the pier at the Pennypack Creek where it meets the Delaware River. There always seems to be something biting at this location.

If you have access to a boat, then the possibilities are expanded to dozens of more areas in the river. You can fish the edge of the shipping channel, along with all the current-break areas, and they are numerous. Remember that these species tend to migrate, with April being the best month in this section of the river, so the location that is producing today may not harbor the same fish tomorrow. Keep in mind that regardless of how and where you fish it, if you are targeting the species that migrate up the big river, you need to be registered with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.

While a number of anglers target the migrating species, there are also opportunities for resident fish such as catfish, carp, a variety of panfish species, and bass. Many anglers target the carp and catfish because of their size, abundance, and the fact that they are fairly easy to catch. Both are capable of putting up a great fight on medium or light tackle, especially when you are bound to one spot on the shore and are forced to keep the fish from burrowing into any bottom debris. You will lose some, but you will catch many as long as the water is warm.

Regardless of what species you seek, you will have to deal with tides, which is something that most Pennsylvania anglers who only fish freshwater aren't familiar with. While the influx of the tide can vary as far as intensity, it does serve to place fish in certain spots, as well as move bait into key areas. Understanding how the tides work to position the fish is a key ingredient to being successful. I know a couple of anglers who like to troll for stripers during April and May, and they always refer to the tide charts to form their game plan of where they will fish.

The Philadelphia area is also home to some great trout fishing, and two streams receive preseason and in-season stockings. Pennypack Creek is stocked from the county line to Frankford Avenue. Wissahickon Creek is stocked from Germantown Pike down to the intersection of Forbidden and Lincoln Drives. The two watersheds represent much of the only open space found in the city as far as woodland habitat is concerned. Angling pressure can be severe at times, but there always are a few fish that seem to shy away from the anglers and hold over in the stream.

A few local anglers have started targeting Pennypack Creek shortly after it has been stocked, not because of the trout, but because of the stripers. It seems that the sudden influx of fish scent put into the water when the stream is stocked is a calling card to the hungry stripers. Mostly these fish key on the herring in the river, but when the trout are available, they like to feed on these as well. More than one angler has been surprised when reeling in a trout on light tackle, only to have a striper suddenly attack the hooked fish. Some anglers have started catching trout and purposely fishing them on slip bobbers at the end of Pennypack Creek in hopes of catching one of the bigger fish that have taken to feeding on the stocked trout.

If I were forced to choose just one spot in this region to fish, it would have to be on the Schuylkill River at the Philadelphia Art Museum. This spot is a well-known hotspot to local anglers, and they tend to catch many big fish at this location over the course of the year. Stripers are a big story, as are bass, shad, and panfish, but the one species that most impresses me here is the flathead catfish.

The flatheads are not a great species to have in any waterway, as they tend to quickly devour certain fish species in a given area. They have been known to have long lasting impacts on rock bass. The flatheads tend to feed on or near the bottom, and since the rock bass live in that environment, they are gobbled up quickly by the voracious catfish. Their insatiable appetite is probably what helps this predator species reach its extra-large proportions.

Should you be lucky enough to hook up with one in this river, a large flathead will give you a fight you will long remember. The fish is not only powerful but also knows how to use the current to its advantage. When hooked, it is not uncommon for the angler to have to ask others to move themselves and their equipment as they try to follow the fish downstream. I've never seen anyone complain but have seen many try to assist in any way possible when this situation occurs.

Philadelphia may not be known as a sportsmen's paradise, but it can be just that in its own right with fishing. It offers a lot of potential, and huge fish are pulled from the waters in and around the city limits every year. It may not be high on your list of potential hotspots to visit but, if you give the region a try, it could produce some great fishing memories for you.

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