Pennsylvania Striped Bass Fishing

Guide to catching striped bass and hybrid stripers on local lakes

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Last updated on January 24, 2026.

Best striper and wiper lakes, lures and bait

Pennsylvania offers exciting opportunities for anglers to target striped bass, and hybrid striped bass, in its major lakes and reservoirs. These hard-fighting fish provide thrilling battles and are highly sought after by anglers of all levels of experience.

Striper Fishing Video

Fishing for Striped Bass in Pennsylvania

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Pennsylvania fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill, try large topwater baits whenever you see surface feeding activity. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

Fishing for Hybrid Stripers in Pennsylvania

Hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, are a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass. They exhibit a combination of the strength and size of striped bass with the aggressiveness and adaptability of white bass. Pennsylvania's major lakes, such as Lake Wallenpaupack, Raystown Lake, and Lake Arthur, are known for their healthy populations of hybrid striped bass.

Lake Wallenpaupack is a popular destination for striped bass and hybrid striped bass fishing in Pennsylvania. Anglers can target these fish by trolling with deep-diving plugs, casting swimbaits, or using live bait such as shad or large minnows. The lake's structure, including points, drop-offs, and submerged humps, provides ideal habitat for striped bass and hybrids.

Raystown Lake is another prime location for striped bass and hybrid striped bass fishing. Anglers can find success by targeting the deeper waters of the lake and focusing on areas with structure, such as submerged points and underwater channels. Trolling with large crankbaits, vertically jigging with spoons, or live lining shad can yield excellent results.

Pennsylvania's state records for striped bass and hybrid striped bass showcase the potential of the fishery. The state record for striped bass stands at over 53 pounds. These big fellas highlight the trophy-sized fish that can be encountered in Pennsylvania's waters.

Pennsylvania's striped bass and hybrid striped bass fishing offer anglers the opportunity to pursue these hard-fighting fish in beautiful natural settings. Whether trolling, casting, or live bait fishing, anglers can target striped bass and hybrids in the state's major lakes and reservoirs. With the chance to break state records and the thrilling experience of battling these powerful fish, Pennsylvania is a fantastic destination for striped bass and hybrid striped bass fishing.

Striper & Wiper Fishing Lakes

Beltzville Lake, Blue Marsh Lake, Hammond Lake, Lake Arthur, Lake Erie, Lake Redman, Raystown Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake all have schools of striped bass swimming in them.

State Fish Records

The state record striped bass was caught out of the Raystown Lake.

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. And for the ultimate thrill, try large topwater baits whenever you see surface feeding activity. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

Pennsylvania Striper Fishing Information

Pennsylvania Fish And Boat Commission - Striped Bass

Additional Striper Information

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers.

Stripers Forever

Striped Bass - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Striped bass and hybrid stripers, by state

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