General Description
Rising in the mountains about five miles east of State College and flowing in a northerly direction to its terminus in Milesburg, Spring Creek is arguably the finest wild trout stream in Pennsylvania. Surveys conducted by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission have consistently shown Spring Creek to be the most densely populated wild brown trout stream in the Keystone State.
Spring Creek has suffered greatly, and conversely, benefited greatly from its ill fortune of being located in the most densely populated, fastest growing area of rural Centre County. Numerous pollution incidents, including municipal sewage, gasoline spills, and chemical contaminants over the course of its history decimated not only its myriad hatches, but also its trout. When the stream was removed from the stocking list due to chemical pollution and was later managed as a no-kill stream, the trout population rebounded quickly. When municipal sewage was subjected to tertiary treatment, the most durable aquatic insects reappeared in profusion. Spring Creek, in a remarkable display of its resiliency and quality, once again became the favorite stream of thousands of anglers each year.
Conditions
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Access
The venues most favored by anglers are the Benner Springs stretch (accessible off PA Route 150 near the FFP store), Fisherman's Paradise, the oldest flyfishing-only water in the US, and Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission water below the Paradise (both accessible off PA Route 150 near Bellefonte).
Secondary roads parallel Spring Creek over much of its length, providing easy access. The wading - except at Fisherman's Paradise where wading is forbidden - is relatively easy due to the gravel and cobble streambed. No-kill regulations apply along the full length of Spring Creek.
Boating Access is at the Spring Creek Park 901 Houserville Road
State College, PA 16801-7163
Fees & Licenses
All Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Regulations apply.
