What You'll Find at Penn's Landing
Penn's Landing sits along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, where the river widens into a tidal estuary. The area is a public waterfront park with river access, making it one of the few places in the city where you can fish without a private boat or club membership. The water here is tidal — it rises and falls twice daily — which means the fishing changes with the tide and the season.
Striped bass are the main draw. They move through this section of the Delaware in spring and fall, and some stay through summer. You'll also find white perch, catfish, and carp. The striped bass fishing is strongest in April through May and again in September through October, when water temperatures and food availability bring them into the shallower areas near the landing.
The landing itself is a developed park with paved walkways, benches, and public restrooms. It's not a wilderness spot — you're fishing in the middle of Philadelphia, with museums, restaurants, and tourist traffic nearby. But that accessibility is the point: you can fish here on a weekday evening after work or on a weekend morning without driving an hour out of the city.
Key Takeaways
- Penn's Landing offers public river access in Philadelphia for striped bass, white perch, catfish, and carp, with peak striped bass season in spring and fall.
- You must hold a valid Pennsylvania fishing license, which you can purchase online or at sporting goods stores for a one-time fee or annual permit.
- Fishing is best on incoming or high tide, when fish move into shallower water near the landing's bulkhead and piers.
- The Delaware River in this section has water quality advisories for certain species; check the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website before you fish.
- Parking is available in nearby lots, but the landing itself is crowded on weekends and during summer tourism season.
Seasons and What to Expect Each Time of Year
Spring (April and May) brings the first strong striped bass run. Water temperatures are rising from the 40s into the 50s and 60s, and the fish move upriver to feed before spawning. This is the most reliable time to catch striped bass at Penn's Landing. Mornings and evenings are most productive, and incoming tide is critical — fish feed more actively as water rises.
Summer (June through August) is slower for striped bass but not empty. Some fish stay in the deeper holes, and you can catch them early in the morning or late in the evening when water temperatures are cooler. White perch and catfish are more consistent through summer. The landing is also most crowded during these months because of tourism and warm weather, so expect company and plan for early or late fishing.
Fall (September and October) brings the second major striped bass run as fish move downriver after summer. This period often produces larger fish than spring, and the fishing can be excellent. Water temperatures drop back into the 50s and 60s, and fish are feeding heavily to prepare for winter. November can still be good, but by December the run is mostly finished.
Winter (December through March) is slow. Water temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s, and most striped bass have moved downriver or into deeper holding areas. Some catfish remain, and you might catch white perch, but this is not peak season. The landing is also less crowded, which appeals to some anglers, but you should expect fewer fish and longer waits between bites.
Regulations and Licensing Requirements
You must hold a valid Pennsylvania fishing license to fish at Penn's Landing. You can purchase a one-year license online through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website, at any licensed sporting goods retailer, or by phone. The cost varies depending on whether you are a resident or non-resident and whether you want a one-day, three-day, or annual permit. Non-residents pay more than residents for the same duration.
Striped bass have specific size and possession limits in Pennsylvania. The minimum size is 18 inches, and you may keep a limited number per day — the exact limit changes year to year, so check the current regulations on the Fish and Boat Commission website before you fish. White perch and catfish have different minimums and limits. Possession limits apply whether you are fishing from shore or a boat.
The Delaware River in the Philadelphia area has a fish consumption advisory for certain species due to water quality. The advisory restricts how much of certain fish you should eat, especially for children and pregnant women. Striped bass and catfish are included in some advisories. Read the full advisory on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website so you understand what you can safely keep and eat.
How to Fish Penn's Landing: Access and Technique
Penn's Landing is accessible by car, public transit, or foot. If you drive, parking is available in nearby lots — the Independence Hall area has several paid lots within a short walk. Public transit (SEPTA buses and the Market-Frankford Line) stops near the landing. The landing itself is open dawn to dusk, and fishing is allowed from the bulkhead and designated pier areas.
Striped bass at Penn's Landing respond best to live bait and soft plastic lures. Live shad, herring, and mullet are effective if you can obtain them; many anglers catch or buy live bait from tackle shops in the area. Soft plastics in shad patterns, fished on a light jig head, work well and are easier to carry and cast. Casting into deeper water near the bulkhead and retrieving slowly is a standard approach. Fish the incoming tide and the hour or two around high tide, when bass move into shallower water to feed.
White perch and catfish are less selective. Small live baitfish, cut bait, or prepared stink baits all work. You can fish on the bottom with a simple rig — a sinker, a leader, and a hook — and wait for a bite. Catfish are most active at night, so evening and night fishing produces better results if you want to target them specifically.
Water Quality and Environmental Conditions
The Delaware River at Penn's Landing is tidal, which means water level and current change twice daily. High tide typically occurs around the same time each day, but the exact timing shifts by about 50 minutes each day as the lunar cycle progresses. Incoming tide (flood tide) is when water rises and flows upriver; outgoing tide (ebb tide) is when water falls and flows downriver. Fish feed more actively on incoming tide, so plan your fishing around that window if possible.
Water clarity varies with season and recent rainfall. After heavy rain, the river becomes murky as stormwater runoff enters. Striped bass and white perch can still feed in murky water, but visibility-dependent lures (like bright colors) become more important. In clear water, natural colors and live bait often work better. Check local fishing reports or talk to tackle shops in Philadelphia to learn what conditions have been like in the days before you fish.
Water temperature drives fish behavior more than anything else. Striped bass are most active in the 55 to 70 degree range. Below 50 degrees, they slow down and move to deeper water. Above 75 degrees, they seek cooler, deeper areas or move downriver. A simple water thermometer helps you understand what fish are likely to do on any given day.
Tackle Shops and Local Resources
Philadelphia has several tackle shops within a short drive or transit ride of Penn's Landing. These shops carry striped bass lures, live bait, and fishing licenses. Staff can tell you what has been working recently, what the current water conditions are, and whether the tide timing is favorable for the day you plan to fish. Calling ahead to ask about recent catches and conditions is worth the time.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website has detailed information about regulations, water quality advisories, and current fishing reports. The site also lists all the access areas along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, so you can explore other options if Penn's Landing is too crowded or if you want to try a different section of the river.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boat to fish at Penn's Landing?
No. Penn's Landing has shore access from the bulkhead and designated pier areas. You can fish from shore without a boat. Some anglers do fish from boats in the river, but shore fishing is the standard approach at the landing itself.
What's the best time of day to fish here?
Early morning (sunrise to mid-morning) and late evening (late afternoon to sunset) are most productive for striped bass. Incoming tide is more important than time of day — fish feed more actively as water rises. If you can combine early morning or evening with incoming tide, that's ideal.
Can I fish at night at Penn's Landing?
The landing is officially open dawn to dusk, so night fishing is not permitted. If you want to fish at night for catfish, you'll need to find another access point on the Delaware River that allows night fishing. Check the Fish and Boat Commission website for other access areas and their hours.
What should I do if I catch a striped bass — can I keep it?
Only if it meets the minimum size (18 inches) and you haven't reached your daily possession limit. Measure the fish from the tip of its mouth to the tip of its tail. If it's too small, release it gently back into the water. Check the current possession limit on the Fish and Boat Commission website before you fish, as it changes year to year.
Is the water safe to eat fish from?
There is a fish consumption advisory for the Delaware River in this area. Read the full advisory on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website to understand which fish are safe to eat and in what quantities. Striped bass and catfish have restrictions, especially for children and pregnant women.