Central Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Penns Creek Fishing Report: May 16, 2026
Penns Creek is low to moderate, slightly falling, and in a good range for hatches and evening spinner activity.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into spinner fall
- Best methods
- dry flies, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
Penns Creek is in a good fishing range, with USGS showing 283 cfs and a slight fall over the last six hours. Local conditions point to some color and water in the high 50s, which is comfortable trout water for a May hatch day. The best plan is nymphs or streamers when nothing is up, then dries and spinners late.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 283 cfs at Penns Creek at 5:00 PM |
| Water Temp | High 50s F from local report; not reported by USGS IV |
| Clarity | Some color |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into spinner fall |
| Best Method | dry flies; nymphs; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good at current level, with normal caution around ledges and pushy riffles |
Weather
The Coburn area was mostly sunny near 79 F late today with southwest wind around 9 mph. Tonight brings a slight chance of showers and mostly cloudy skies, useful conditions for evening bugs if storms stay light.
River Notes
At this level, Penns is very approachable but still demands careful footing around limestone ledges and deeper runs. Some color can help during bright conditions. Focus on riffles, bank seams, and long flats with visible feeders during hatch or spinner activity.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Best under cloud cover |
| Tan Caddis | 14-18 | Carry adults and emergers |
| March Brown | 8-10 | Larger mayfly option |
| Gray Fox | 12-14 | Can mix into the mayfly activity |
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Important late-day pattern |
| Midges | 20-24 | Useful for picky fish |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur dry | 14-16 | Use over late-day risers |
| Dry | March Brown dry | 8-10 | Good larger searching dry |
| Dry | BWO pattern | 18-22 | Use under clouds or on subtle rises |
| Nymph | Frenchie | 12-18 | Good search nymph |
| Nymph | Rubberleg Stone | 6-10 | Anchor fly in deeper lanes |
| Streamer | Sparkle Minnow | 4-10 | Use with color or low light |
Tactics
Nymph holding lanes and riffle drop-offs early. Watch for March Browns, caddis, sulphurs, and evening spinners before changing to dries. If sun stays bright, shaded banks and broken water should outfish flat exposed water until evening.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penns Creek at Penns Creek PA | 283 cfs | Not reported | USGS 01555000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01555000 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Coburn, PA area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.