Pennsylvania
Schuylkill River at Philadelphia
Location Snapshot
The Schuylkill River at Philadelphia is the lower urban river near the Delaware confluence corridor. Smallmouth bass and channel catfish are core targets, with striped bass adding a seasonal lower-river opportunity.
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Wednesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1440 CFS
- Gage Height
- 6.17 ft
- Water Temperature
- 58.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 12:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01474500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
62°F
Feels like
56°F
Wind
6 mph N
Wind gust
14 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 7:30 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 6 AM
Clear
Temp 50°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Wed 10 AM
Clear
Temp 55°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Wed 2 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Wed 6 PM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 71°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 30 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 65°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 68°F / Low 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 60°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The Schuylkill at Philadelphia becomes tidal at Fairmount Dam, the river's upper tidal limit.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Schuylkill River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Drift fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Pennsylvania
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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