Pennsylvania
Clarion River at Johnsonburg
Current River Rating
Excellent · 87
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
High confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 658 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.11 ft
- Water Temperature
- 63.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03028500 · 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
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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
Overcast
Temperature
68°F
Feels like
72°F
Wind
1 mph W
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.01 in
Last 48 hours
0.49 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 68°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 8 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 61°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 53°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 5 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
Clarion River at Johnsonburg on the upper Clarion in Elk County. Brown trout and smallmouth bass define a mixed freestone fishery on the gauge reach. USGS gage 03028500 provides live streamflow, stage, and water temperature. This record represents the Johnsonburg gauge reach, not the Cooksburg canoe corridor farther downstream.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Clarion 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
Fishery overview
Clarion River at Johnsonburg on the upper Clarion in Elk County. Brown trout and smallmouth bass define a mixed freestone fishery on the gauge reach. USGS gage 03028500 provides live streamflow, stage, and water temperature. This record represents the Johnsonburg gauge reach, not the Cooksburg canoe corridor farther downstream.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Upper Clarion near Johnsonburg supports brown trout as a primary coldwater target on PFBC-managed reaches.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Smallmouth bass are a common mixed-fishery target on the Clarion mainstem near Johnsonburg.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Upper Clarion freestone habitat with trout and mixed warmwater components near Johnsonburg.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Municipal and PFBC-mapped corridor access exists near Johnsonburg; private frontage is common. Confirm current public access on official PFBC maps. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point.
Stocking information
PFBC manages Clarion River trout waters with stocked and wild components by section. Confirm current stockings on the official PFBC schedule.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Official sources
Trout regulations can change by Clarion section. Verify current PFBC rules for the Johnsonburg reach before fishing.
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
Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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