Philadelphia has the good geographical luck of having two major rivers running within the city limits — the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, which spill into a number of smaller waterways. All of this water allows local residents to enjoy more water-based sports and activities than most major cities. #blessed
This is especially good news for Philly area parents who get to experience all of the perks of city living while still enjoying plenty of fresh air with their family. Plus, like all good things in life, fishing in Philly is free. Well, almost…
Pennsylvania residents ages 16 and older are required to get a fishing license that must be worn and visible while fishing. You can get a license online or at any one of the many retailers that carry them throughout the state. Kids 15 and younger can fish without a license as long as they are with a licensed adult — or you can get them a voluntary license here. All proceeds benefit the programs that maintain Pennsylvania’s waterways and sponsor some of the fishing events mentioned below.
It is worth remembering that there are limits to the amount of fish you can catch and keep each day, as well as the size of what constitutes a “keeper.” (In my family, we call a large keeper a “Bubba.”) These limits can change seasonally, so always be sure to check with the Fish and Boat Commission, or err on the side of caution and practice “catch and release.”
If you’re a parent, babysitter, or nanny looking for the best fishing holes in Philly to take the kids to try and catch a Bubba of their very own, then look no further than these 10 convenient spots.
Fairmount Park
Address: 1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Hours: Open sunrise – sunset
Phone: 215-988-9334
Philadelphia’s largest park boasts almost 15 square miles of property, with a large part of it intersected by the Schuylkill River. This creates an oasis inside the city, perfect for getting out and enjoying nature. Fish the Schuylkill in hopes of catching one of the approximately 50 different species of fish that swim in its waters. If you’re struggling to get any of those guys to bite, take a break and enjoy some of the other activities the park has to offer, like the amazing playground, ball fields, and trails. Plus, all parks that are part of the Fairmount Park Conservatory take part in Parks on Tap, which means parents, if you play your cards right, you can always attend one of those events under the guise of reconnaissance for a fishing trip. (We won’t tell your kids it was actually a date night.)
Pleasant Hill Park
Address: 8900 Delaware Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136
Hours: Open sunrise – sunset
Phone: 215-683-3638
Saturdays this fall, the Hatchery at Pleasant Hill will be offering free fishing lessons from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for children under 16 years old. Bait and rods will be provided as supplies permit, and registration is not required. If you can’t attend the scheduled lessons (or would rather try your hand at teaching your child yourself), you can access the fish hatchery within the park during normal hours. Pleasant Hill also has a boat launch, softball fields, and plenty of trails for hiking. There are also plenty of benches for sitting when you need a break from all the activity. Pleasant Hill is another Parks on Tap participant, so don’t forget about date night!
Penn Treaty Park
Address: 1301 N. Beach St., Philadelphia, PA 19125
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 215-634-5300
This park is famous throughout the state for being the location where William Penn signed a peace treaty with the Lenape Indians. It’s located along the Delaware River, where you have an opportunity to catch a variety of fish when you cast your line. More than 45 different species of fish call this section of river home. The park is dog friendly, if you’d like to bring along your four-legged friend, as well. There are plenty of large rocks along the banks for you and your kids to sit on while waiting for something to bite. Penn Treaty Park is full of of open spaces, so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen.
Pier 68
Address: 1751 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19148
Hours: Open sunrise – sunset
Phone: 215-922-2FUN
Located on the Delaware River in South Philly, this is a fishing spot with a lot to offer. There is an “aquatic cut” in the pier that allows water to filter up through the lower deck so that visitors can get an up close and personal look at tidal life. The pier also has picnic benches and wave-shaped lounge chairs for relaxing. Along the angled lawn, throw out a blanket for a picnic or try and get a little closer to the water’s edge for a different fishing perspective. There are events scheduled regularly enough that you can plan your fishing trip to coincide with something that sounds appealing to you and your kids.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park
Address: 1500 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19145
Hours: Open sunrise – sunset
Phone: 215-685-1572
One of the most active parks in Philadelphia, FDR park (locally known as “The Lakes”), boasts tennis courts, ball fields, a golf course, and even a skate park. There’s no shortage of things to do if you tire of fishing or of things to watch while you wait for something to bite. Hopefully you won’t have to wait long, as the waters at the park are home to several different species of fish that are common to warm-water lakes and ponds (like panfish, sunfish, bass, and carp). There’s also a lot on the horizon for the park — a playground, a new restaurant, and paddle boats are all in the works. There are plenty of reasons to make FDR Park one of your go-to fishing spots.
Pennypack Park
Address: Pennypack Trail, Philadelphia, PA 19136
Hours: Open sunrise – sunset
Phone: 215-685-0470
Pennypack Park offers opportunities to fish in either the creek or the Delaware River. The park can be accessed at several locations, depending on which body of water you’re going to try and drop a line into. Try your hand at catching a variety of fish throughout the fishing season. You may have more luck reeling something in here than at other locations across the city, as the creek is stocked with trout by the PA Boat and Fish Commission in the spring and fall. (Trout fishing has separate rules and regulations, and you will need a special trout sticker for your license.)
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Address: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 215-365-3118
It’s hard to believe that the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania is located near the Philadelphia International Airport. I mean, what other city has both an international airport and river otters in the same zip code? Yes, I said otters! Those adorable creatures call Tinicum Park home. So do racoons, foxes, turtles — you name it, they have it. They have free binocular and fishing pole rentals (which must be returned to the rental office by 3:30 p.m.) that you can use to fish (and sightsee) from their multiple cast-off locations. Also, there’s a handicap-accessible observation deck you can fish from if you’re unable to access the banks by foot. Just make sure you read the signs, as each fishing area has different rules about how you are permitted to fish them. You may only fish from the banks of the impoundment area and the 420 Lagoon, however, you can fish from the deck or a canoe at Darby Creek. All of these spots are perfect for attempting to catch a variety of lake fish, so get your bobbers bobbing!
Schuylkill Banks
Address: 2401 Walnut St., Ste. 603, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Phone: 215-309-5523
The Schuylkill Banks have been working on revamping the waterfront area that runs along the Schuylkill River for several years. The organization has worked toward its goal of making the area a more inviting place for locals to come enjoy a variety of scheduled activities, including boat tours, a honey festival, and so much more. The banks also provide some serene and peaceful areas for fishing. Depending on the season and conditions, you can try and catch one of the more than 40 species of fish that swim these waters (including eel.) The most popular locations are between Walnut and Locust streets, under the Walnut Street bridge, and on the lower trail just south of Martin Luther King Drive. You are no longer allowed to fish off the Race Street Pier because there is no safe way to implement catch and release.
Falls Township Community Park
Address: 9125 Mill Creek Road, Levittown, PA 19055
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 215-949-9000
Looking for a great beginners spot? Look no further than Falls Township Park. The quiet lake waters are great for little arms to try casting their first lines. The park that surrounds the massive lake contains a playground, fenced-in dog runs, and picnic areas. You can bring your boat, but you will need to pay for a permit to put it in the water. There’s plenty of beauty to take in while you’re contemplating just when exactly these fish are going to start biting, as Bucks County is known for it’s beautiful scenery. You can expect to catch typical lake fish here.
Silver Lake Park
Address: 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007
Hours: Open sunrise – sunset
Phone: 215-757-0571
Just about 30 minutes up Interstate 95, you’ll find Silver Lake Park. The lake sits on approximately 235 acres of a 460-acre park system in beautiful Bucks County. Fish the lake from the banks or by boat if you have one, as there are no rentals on site. When you tire of that, you can enjoy the picnic area, use the playground, or tour the Silver Lake nature center. There, you’ll find out that the surrounding Delhaas Woods are home to a variety of animals, including two threatened species — the red-bellied turtle and the coastal plain leopard frog. The nature center also has a mix of live reptiles and stuffed birds and mammals to show you exactly what resides in the bustling woods around you. The nature center is surrounded by gardens that are maintained by local volunteers who bring a variety of local birds and butterflies. Check the calendar and plan your fishing trip with one of the events that regularly take place here (like the native plant sale, which is where I got my butterfly bush almost a decade ago.) The nature center will be hosting a free fishing day later this month. Be sure to check it out!
