Area Fishing
Bradford is located in McKean County, Pennsylvania. The city is near the Allegheny National Forest where anglers can fish for bass from the Allegheny Reservoir. The reservoir is rated by "Pennsylvania Game & Fish Magazine" as one of the state's best destinations for bass fishing during spring. Another bass fishing location in the area is the Clarion River.The lower section of the Clarion River has a smallmouth bass fishery where anglers can fly fish, according to the Clarion River Adventures Fishing Guide.
Lodging
Bass anglers can choose from a variety of lodgings around Bradford. The Towers Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast in Ridgeway is located just a few blocks from the Clarion River Adventures, where guests can sign up for guided and instructional bass fishing trips at the river. Another lodging option is the Lodge at Glendorn in Bradford. Glendorn is a fishing resort that offers on-site and off-site fishing trips, including drift boat fly fishing for bass on the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers.
Camping fishing vacations are also available at several campgrounds bordering the Allegheny Reservoir.
Baits and Lures
Crayfish and baitfish are effective lures for smallmouth bass fishing in Bradford, according to Clarion Adventures Fishing Guide. For fly-fishing, lures such as streamers and hairbugs work well on the Clarion River. Smallmouth bass fishing from the Allegheny Reservoir can be productive with surface lures, white soft plastics, deep diving crankbaits or soft-plastic twitching minnows, according to the "Pennsylvania Game & Fish Magazine."
Regulations
There are special bass regulations on the Allegheny and Clarion Lakes. On January 1st through April 16 and June 12 through December 31, there is a minimum size of 15 inches and a daily limit of four combined species of bass. Only catch and release and no harvesting of bass is allowed from April 17 through June 11, according to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
Fishing License
A state-issued Pennsylvania fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over to fish in the state's waters. A fishing license is also required for taking bait fish. Resident and tourist fishing licenses or permits can be purchased at the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission offices and other authorized agents. Types of licenses for out-of-state visitors include non-resident, one-day tourist, three-day tourist and seven-day tourist.
