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Fishing Youghiogheny River: what the data says
Confluence to Ohiopyle. a cold tailwater trout fishery through the Laurel Highlands. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Youghiogheny River
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Current seam (mile 1.6) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Brown Trout fishing at Youghiogheny River
Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 1.6), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 8 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Youghiogheny River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 3.7) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Notable structure
- Yough Dam tailrace: creek channel, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 1.6): current seam, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 3.7): rock pile, around 3 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 10.0): rock pile, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Youghiogheny River?
Youghiogheny River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Youghiogheny River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout on Youghiogheny River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Youghiogheny River?
Current seam (mile 1.6) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Youghiogheny River?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Allegheny River · Pymatuning Reservoir · Juniata River · Lake Erie - Presque Isle Bay · Lake Erie - Central Basin East · Susquehanna River
See how Youghiogheny River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Pennsylvania · best brown trout lakes in Pennsylvania
Browse all Pennsylvania fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.