Pennsylvania
Lehigh River at Walnutport
Current River Rating
Fair · 70
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 848 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.55 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01451000 · 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
Mostly clear
Temperature
69°F
Feels like
71°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
17 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
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.15 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 70°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 66°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 60°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Partly cloudy
High 78°F / Low 55°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 8 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
Lehigh River at Walnutport within the PFBC-managed trout corridor of the middle Lehigh. Brown and rainbow trout are primary targets; brook trout occur in the system. USGS gage 01451000 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the Walnutport gauge reach, not the Francis E. Walter tailwater or the tidal lower Lehigh.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Lehigh 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
Lehigh River at Walnutport within the PFBC-managed trout corridor of the middle Lehigh. Brown and rainbow trout are primary targets; brook trout occur in the system. USGS gage 01451000 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the Walnutport gauge reach, not the Francis E. Walter tailwater or the tidal lower Lehigh.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
PFBC Lehigh River trout monitoring and management plan document wild and stocked trout fisheries principally above Palmerton with springtime opportunities downriver toward Cementon; Walnutport is within this managed trout corridor.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
PFBC stocks adult and fingerling trout including rainbow trout in Lehigh River management sections.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
PFBC notes wild trout components in the Lehigh system; mainstem recreational focus near Walnutport remains stocked/holdover trout.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Middle Lehigh freestone mainstem with wild and stocked trout components near Walnutport/Carbon–Lehigh.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public corridor and canal-towpath access patterns exist near Walnutport; confirm current PFBC and municipal access. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point, not a guaranteed launch or parking pin.
Stocking information
PFBC Lehigh River trout monitoring documents adult and fingerling stocking in managed sections. Confirm current stockings on the official PFBC stocking schedule.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Official sources
Lehigh trout rules can vary by section. Verify current PFBC regulations for the Walnutport 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, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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