Fishing East Branch Lake
AKA: East Branch Clarion River Lake
Popular Fish Species East Branch Lake, PA

Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at East Branch Lake, as they are tough fighters and exciting to catch. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons.

Walleye Fishing
Thanks to good fisheries management, a healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of East Branch Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Lake Trout Fishing
Year round, fishing for lake trout in East Branch Lake is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 150 feet or more during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental help to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, white crappie, walleye, brook trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, muskie, northern pike and tiger muskie at East Branch Clarion River Lake in Pennsylvania.
East Branch Lake Fishing Video
Located in north-central Pennsylvania, East Branch Lake is home to a variety of cold-water fish species. This 640-acre reservoir at Elk State Park offers ice fishing in winter and excellent boating in spring, summer and fall. Smallmouth, walleye, trout and muskie are favorites here, but the lake also contains healthy populations of crappie, sunfish and northern pike.
Primary fish species residing in East Branch Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
East Branch Clarion River Lake Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: NO
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
East Branch Lake Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake near the dam, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with parking for over thirty vehicles with boat trailers.
Instanter Boat Launch
This is a basic, one-lane concrete ramp with limited, primitive parking. This ramp is only functional when water levels are high.
Fishing Guides On East Branch Lake
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Pennsylvania Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
East Branch Lake Park Campground - 814 965- 5851
Bendigo State Park Campground - 814 965-2646
East Branch Lake PA Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
East Branch Clarion River Lake
US Army Corp Of Engineers
631 East Branch Dam Road
Wilcox, PA 15870
814 965-2065
Fishing lakes in each state.
021125
East Branch Clarion River Lake in Pennsylvania.
PENNSYLVANIA


Smallmouth, muskie and perch fishing in north-central PA.