Pennsylvania
Schuylkill River at Philadelphia
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
Saturday, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 2960 CFS
- Gage Height
- 6.51 ft
- Water Temperature
- 77.4 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 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
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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
Mostly clear
Temperature
73°F
Feels like
78°F
Wind
3 mph NW
Wind gust
9 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
0.58 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 81°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 76°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 69°F
Chance 22%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 64°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 81°F / Low 64°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 84°F / Low 65°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 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
Schuylkill River at Philadelphia on the lower urban river near the Delaware confluence influence. Smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and striped bass are principal warmwater targets. USGS gage 01474500 provides live streamflow, stage, and water temperature. This record represents the Philadelphia gauge reach, not the upper Schuylkill trout tributaries.
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
Fishery overview
Schuylkill River at Philadelphia on the lower urban river near the Delaware confluence influence. Smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and striped bass are principal warmwater targets. USGS gage 01474500 provides live streamflow, stage, and water temperature. This record represents the Philadelphia gauge reach, not the upper Schuylkill trout tributaries.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth bass are a primary warmwater target on the lower Schuylkill at Philadelphia.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Channel catfish are common on the Philadelphia Schuylkill urban reach.
Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Striped bass use the lower Schuylkill/Delaware confluence corridor seasonally; presence is reach- and season-dependent.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Lower Schuylkill urban warmwater river habitat in Philadelphia with tidal influence near the confluence corridor.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Drift fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
City parks, trail corridor access, and mapped launches serve bank and boat anglers; confirm current municipal/PFBC rules and urban-river hazards. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point.
Stocking information
Warmwater and migratory species use the lower Schuylkill. Confirm any current PFBC stockings on the official schedule.
Official sources
Urban-river and migratory-species rules can change. Verify current PFBC and local guidance for the Philadelphia Schuylkill reach.
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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