The Schuylkill River flows for 137 miles through a densely-populated stretch of Pennsylvania before reaching its confluence with the Delaware River.
The river begins near the town of Tamaqua in eastern Schuylkill County. Flowing generally south, the river is flanked by the Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail from its headwaters to Middleport.
At Schuylkill Haven, the West Branch Schuylkill River converges with the Schuylkill. Between Landingville and Auburn, a lake is formed by the Schuylkill River Project Dam. A popular area for fishing and kayaking, the lake contains largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, bluegill, white suckers, and chain pickerel.
At Port Clinton, the Little Schuylkill River converges with the mainstream Schuylkill. Just downstream, a segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail follows the river.
A dam near Port Clinton created New Kernsville Lake. A decades long effort will include removing the dam, dredging the river, and other remedial work.
Tulpehocken Creek, a tailwater of Blue Marsh Lake, converges with the Schuylkill River near Reading.
Between Pottstown and King of Prussia, the river makes a series of sharp bends. Near Phoenixville, Black Rock Sanctuary is located on the site of a former desilting basin. A short distance downstream are Black Rock Dam and Schuylkill Canal Park.
Near Oaks, Perkiomen Creek empties into the river. Near King of Prussia, approximately 3 miles of the Schuylkill River pass through Valley Forge National Historical Park. Along the stretch is Valley Creek, a class A trout stream.
Near Norristown, the Schuylkill Reservoir is formed by the Norristown Dam.
In north Philadelphia, the Flat Rock Dam was originally built to provide water to the nearby Manayunk Canal. After years of damage and neglect, water flow to the canal had become severely degraded. The Flat Rock Dam-Manayunk Canal Improvement Project was implemented to restore proper operation of the canal.
The Fairmount Dam is an iconic landmark along the Philadelphia waterfront. The municipally owned dam and waterworks was built to provide safe and potable drinking water to the city of Philadelphia.
The Fairmont Dam fishway allows migratory fish to ascend the river to spawn. A major renovation in 2008 resulted in improved fish passage of American shad, river herring, and other species.
In Philadelphia, an eight mile stretch known as Schuylkill Banks includes the tidal portion of the Schuylkill River from the Fairmount Dam to the Delaware River. Schuylkill Banks is noted for its river access, trails, fishing, kayaking, boat tours, and other recreational activities.
Schuylkill River Fishing
Fishing in the Schuylkill River can be generalized by dividing the river into three zones; headwaters, middle river, and lower river.
Schuylkill River tributaries do not always fit into the generalization due to their smaller size and unique habitats. Along the middle section of the river, several tributaries are class A trout streams.
The cool, fast moving headwaters are known primarily for their trout fisheries. Headwater region contains naturally reproducing populations of brown, rainbow, and brook trout. In addition, PFBC stocks trout in several areas of the river.
The middle river contains a diverse array of fish species. Anglers commonly encounter smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and others.
The lower river includes a variety of species including black bass, catfish and carp, but also migratory fish such as striped bass.
Schuylkill River Fish Species
With its varied habitats, the Schuylkill River is home to dozens of freshwater species. In addition to resident fish, the river receives migratory species from the Delaware River.
The headwaters section and several of the river’s tributaries are known for their trout populations. Browns, rainbows, and brook trout are found in coolwater streams of the watershed.
Smallmouth bass inhabit much of the upper and middle river. Sections of the river with clean, rocky bottoms usually contain small to medium sized smallmouth bass and a few trophy-class fish.
Musky are found in several stretches of the Schuylkill River. They are sometimes caught around downed timber, dam tailwaters, and other structures that create riffles and pools.
Walleye are found sporadically in the river, with some of the best fishing found in the tailwaters of Plymouth Dam and Flat Rock Dam.
Channel catfish are found mainly in the middle and lower Schuylkill. They are commonly caught using bait but readily take artificial lures intended for bass and panfish.
The Schuylkill is known for its flathead catfish fishery. Along the river, specialized anglers target flatheads with live or cut baits and strong tackle.
In May, 2020, angler Jonathan Pierce landed a Pennsylvania state record flathead catfish weighing 56 pounds, 3 ounces. The massive flathead catfish measured 50 inches long with a girth of 28.875 inches.
Pierce caught the monster fish while fishing from the bank of the Schuylkill River at East Falls. After weighing the fish, Pierce returned it alive to the Schuylkill River.
Flathead catfish are also found above Philadelphia, especially around dam tailwaters and deeper areas with rocky bottom structure.
Along the lower Schuylkill River, a trophy-class carp fishery exists. Even in urban settings, anglers encounter carp that sometimes exceed 30 pounds.
Striped bass and hybrid bass are found in the middle and lower river. Striped bass hybrids sometimes move from Blue Marsh Lake downstream into Tulpehocken Creek, past Bushong Dam, and eventually into the middle Schuylkill River. Migratory striped bass are found from Philadelphia upriver, as far as Flat Rock Dam.
The Schuylkill River is one of several waterways of the Mid Atlantic where northern snakeheads are known to reside.
In the tidal Schuylkill Banks portion of the river, anglers encounter not only freshwater species, but numerous migratory fish. Resident species include catfish, white perch, yellow perch, sunfish, carp, and black bass. Migratory species can include shad, eel, striped bass, and others. In the fall, saltwater species such as spot and croaker and sometimes caught.
Recreational Areas
Along the river, the Schuylkill River Water Trail provides paddlers, boaters, and other explorers with a series of access points.
Designated by the U.S. Congress in 2000, The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area (NHA), encompasses approximately 2000 square miles around the Schuylkill River and its surrounding watershed.
Each spring, the Schuylkill River Greenways NHA hosts the Schuylkill River Sojourn, a 112-mile guided paddling trip down the river.