Carlisle, PA Fishing: Legendary Spring Creek Fishing in Cumberland Valley

Carlisle is a beautiful small town in Cumberland Valley in south-central Pennsylvania. It is noteworthy for its rich natural beauty and historical significance. Close to the Appalachian Trail, it offers its residents and visitors quick and easy access to the great outdoors. On the other hand, its streets are a delight for history buffs for their restored architecture and other notable landmarks, some of which had been visited by American figures such as George Washington and the like.

Apart from its historic landmarks and scenic nature views, Carlisle is a burgeoning borough with plenty to offer people with all sorts of interests. It has some of the best restaurants on this side of the valley serving cuisines from all over the world and car shows that the biggest automobile enthusiasts flock to. Home to the historic Dickinson College, originally founded in 1773, it is likewise considered one of the best and safest college towns in the United States.

Carlisle is situated in the rich Cumberland Valley region, known for its beautifully lush landscapes and abundant fishing. Rich in limestone marl deposits and aquifers, the area is quite well known for its limestone streams and spring creeks. Here, anglers of all levels can enjoy exciting rounds of fishing while surrounded by quintessential Pennsylvania scenic views.

Carlisle Fishing

 Carlisle is deep in the heart of the Cumberland Valley, which means the town gives you great access to the valley’s world-class spring creeks, considered by most as some of the world’s top-notch fly fishing destinations. These are the very same water bodies legendary fly anglers such as Vince Marinaro and Charlie Fox fished as American fly fishing was becoming more popular as a sport.

Fly anglers looking for the challenge of their lives should prioritize LeTort Spring Run. It is, by far, considered by most experts as the most complex stream in the world to fly fish. Many fly anglers not just within North America but from all over the world flock to this unique limestone stream to try and land one of its wild brown trout, who have evolved to become some of the smartest and wiliest of the trout species. The stream itself gives them plenty of places to hide. It’s a great spot to test your mettle. And even if you don’t manage to land one, it’s still a magnificent place to fish.

There are several spots to access this epic trout stream. It flows for over nine miles from Bonny Brook to Conodoguinet Creek. If you want to experience the same place where Marinaro fished, you can go to the Upper LeTort Spring Run. Below Carlisle, there is plenty of access on the roads crossing LeTort. For catch-and-release fly fishing waters only, head to the Special Regulations Area above the Bonny Brook Road Bridge, which continues to the south of LeTort Park. 

Another fly fishing hot spot in the Carlisle region is Yellow Breeches Creek. It is stocked with brown trout. Unlike LeTort, it is friendlier toward beginning anglers. There’s a trail where you can fish the creek. Yellow Breeches Creek includes a mile-long stretch near Boilings Springs, where you can enjoy some catch-and-release fishing.

Spring-fed Children’s Lake is another stocked trout fishing lake. Here you can bring your entire family along — it’s open to all ages for fishing. You can fish on the lake from a shallow-draft boat, canoe, or electric motored boat. The area is surrounded by different guide services and stores for gear and equipment.

Big Spring Creek is yet another of the most beloved trout waters in the area. While it has wild and stocked brown trout, the wild browns are hard to spot. It does have a healthy population of native brook trout and wild rainbow trout. Big Spring Creek is quite rare for a Pennsylvania water body to host wild rainbow trout, but this creek is especially gifted with cress bugs and rich habitat, both of which are conducive to growing such big rainbows. Anglers can find these wild trout species near the headwaters, while the stocked ones can be found in the lower section of the creek.

The Carlisle and Cumberland Valley region is not limited to trout fishing spots. If you’re keen to target other species, the Susquehanna River Trail offers some of the biggest smallmouth bass fishing on the coast. The river is also home to several panfish species, catfish species, common carp, muskellunge, and walleye. Another smallmouth bass fishery that anglers will enjoy fishing is Conodoguinet Creek. The creek is accessible from 15 different points all over the valley. Apart from smallmouth bass, it has rock bass, sunfish, and tiger muskellunge. 

A little further away from Carlisle but still within the Cumberland Valley region, you can find less popular (meaning less competition and fewer crowds) but equally productive creeks and streams. In Lebanon County, you will discover Quittapahilla Creek. Once polluted by the steel mill industry, the creek has been revived by local anglers in recent years. It is now stocked with trout growing from 12 to 20 inches long annually.

Another revived creek, Donegal Spring Creek in Lancaster County, has a wild trout population along with stocked rainbow trout and brown trout. They usually come in the 10- to 12-inch range, but you can still take your chance with the larger ones. The creek has a Special Regulations fly fishing-only area that runs for 2.4 miles. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Carlisle, PA

The top 10 fish species in Carlisle, PA, are brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, rock bass, common carp, walleye, sunfish, and channel catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Cumberland Valley waters are unique among East Coast waterways. They are also clean, clear, healthy, and gifted with rich soil and limestone deposits. These natural gifts make them conducive to aquatic forage that feeds many fish species anglers can find in its waters. The streams in the region keep a consistent temperature of 56 degrees almost all year round, which means you can virtually fish for trout here any time of the year. May is one of the busiest fishing months and should be attractive to the fly angler — it is when the aquatic flies and insects are most active, luring in more fish to bite. October is another great fishing month, not just for the catch but also for the autumn scenery.

Get Educated and Entertained in Carlisle

Carlisle may be small, but its size does not reflect the number of sights, activities, and attractions you can enjoy in the area. It is a destination that can be enjoyed by travelers of all kinds — foodies, history buffs, outdoor junkies, and cultural vultures. 

1. Book a Fishing Guide

First time fishing in the South Central Pennsylvania region? Find a local guide who can give you the ins and outs of limestone creek fishing. This region of Pennsylvania is highly protective of its fisheries, so having a local expert by your side is the easiest way to fish legally and productively.

2. Immerse in History

Just walking down the streets of Carlisle is enough to soak in the town’s history. But if you want to go in-depth, you can visit some of the educational centers and museums in the district. The US Army Heritage and Education Center's US Army War College boasts the largest Civil War photography collection. The Cumberland County Historical Society is both an educational center, museum, and archive that also offers walking tours and other programs where you can learn about the town’s history with over 200 years; worth of art and artifacts.

3. Get Cultured

Visit the Carlisle Theater in downtown Carlisle — it’s easy to spot. Just look for a well-preserved Art Deco-style theater. This beautiful landmark is not stuck in the past. After its renovation in the nineties, it has become the top venue for cultural and entertainment events hosted by the Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center. You can catch a range of productions here, from a local run of the Anne of Green Gables musical to foreign or indie films.