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Pittsburgh is the City of Bridges, 446 of them, and every one of those bridges has smallmouth bass holding in the shade of its pilings. The city sits at the Point, where the Allegheny River flowing from the north and the Monongahela River flowing from the south merge to form the Ohio River, creating a three-river confluence that is one of the most unique urban fishing environments in America.
These are not polluted industrial rivers anymore. The Clean Water Act transformed Pittsburgh's waterways from dead zones into thriving fisheries. Smallmouth bass, walleye, sauger, channel catfish, flathead catfish (some exceeding 60 pounds), hybrid striped bass, freshwater drum, and carp all swim past PNC Park, through downtown, and under the bridges that define this city's skyline.
The Allegheny River: Smallmouth and Walleye
The Allegheny is Pittsburgh's premier fishing river. It flows through the north side of the city past Heinz Field and PNC Park, through a series of lock-and-dam pools that create varied habitat, fast tailwaters below the dams, deep pools, rocky banks, and bridge structure everywhere.
Where on the Allegheny
Below Highland Park Dam (Pool 2): The tailwater below the dam concentrates walleye and sauger, especially at night and at dawn. Walk-on from the Allegheny River Trail on the north bank.
Verona Public Docks: East bank access to a productive stretch. Sauger, bass, catfish, and walleye from the dock and bank. Walk-on from Verona.
PNC Park / North Shore area: Fish the bridge pilings and riprap along the Allegheny in the shadow of the ballpark. Smallmouth bass hold in the shade structure. Walk-on from the North Shore Trail.
Allegheny Techniques
Walleye (night fishing): A 7-foot medium spinning rod, 2500- to 3000-size reel, 10-pound braid, 8-pound fluorocarbon leader. Jerkbaits (Rapala Husky Jerk, silver) cast into the tailwater current below the dams and retrieved with a twitch-pause cadence. Or jig-and-minnow bounced along the rocky bottom. Walleye in the Allegheny feed primarily at night, dawn, dusk, and after dark are prime.
Smallmouth bass: Ned rigs, tubes, and small jerkbaits worked around bridge pilings, rocky banks, and current seams. Smallmouth in the Three Rivers average 12 to 16 inches with trophy fish over 20. The 446 bridges create an endless supply of shade structure.
Jerkbaits for Walleye in Early Spring, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Pool Jumping on Pittsburgh's Three Rivers, Fall SmallmouthThe Monongahela and Ohio Rivers
The Monongahela flows north through the south side of Pittsburgh, and the Ohio flows west from the Point. Both rivers hold the same species as the Allegheny, smallmouth, walleye, sauger, catfish, but with different character. The Mon is generally slower and deeper, favoring catfish and walleye. The Ohio below the Point is wide and powerful with good smallmouth structure along the banks.
Where on the Mon and Ohio
Point State Park: The literal point where all three rivers meet. Walk-on bank access from the park. Cast from the confluence, you are fishing three rivers from one spot. Smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and the occasional walleye.
South Side Riverfront Park: Walk-on access to the Mon south of downtown. Bridge pilings and riprap hold smallmouth and catfish.
Station Square / Monongahela Wharf: Walk-on access across from downtown. Deep water holds catfish and walleye.
Flathead Catfish
Pittsburgh's rivers hold enormous flathead catfish, fish exceeding 60 pounds are caught every year. Flatheads prefer the deepest holes, logjams, and bridge pilings in the slower Mon and Ohio River sections. Fish at night with live bluegill on heavy tackle (7-foot heavy rod, 30- to 50-pound braid, 7/0 circle hook with a 3-ounce sinker). This is trophy fishing in the heart of a major city.
Fishing the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania November Walleye Fishing, Adapting to Cold Water, Pittsburgh Three RiversFishing Licence and Regulations
Pennsylvania fishing licence: Required for anyone 16+. Resident annual $27.97. Nonresident annual $60.97. One-day tourist $11.97.
Smallmouth bass: Daily limit 6 (combined black bass). Minimum 12 inches on most waters.
Walleye/sauger: Daily limit 6 (combined). Minimum 15 inches.
Channel catfish: Daily limit 50 combined catfish. No minimum size.
Flathead catfish: Part of the 50-combined-catfish limit. No minimum size.
When to Fish
March-May (Spring): Walleye become active below the dams. Smallmouth spawn along the rocky banks. White bass run in the tributaries.
June-August (Summer): Smallmouth peak, topwater around bridge pilings early and late. Flathead catfish feed at night. Channel catfish everywhere.
September-November (Fall): The best all-around season. Walleye push below the dams as water cools. Smallmouth feed aggressively. Sauger active.
December-February (Winter): Walleye and sauger bite in the tailwaters on warm days. Blade baits jigged vertically in the deep pools. The rivers rarely freeze.
Practical Details
Getting there: Point State Park and the North Shore are walkable from downtown. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail connects fishing spots by bike. Port Authority buses reach most access points. Free parking at many riverfront parks.
Gear that travels: A two-piece 7-foot medium spinning rod covers smallmouth, walleye, and channel catfish across all three rivers. For flathead catfish, bring heavy gear. For walleye below the dams, a medium-heavy rod handles the current.
For more river-city fishing, see urban fishing in Columbus (Scioto River saugeye), urban fishing in Philadelphia (Schuylkill flatheads and Wissahickon trout), or urban fishing in Washington DC (Potomac snakeheads and blue catfish).
Tackle shops: Cabela's (Robinson, west of town), Dick's Sporting Goods (multiple locations), Three Rivers Tackle (local online shop with river-specific intel).
No Weights in This Fish, The Best Time to Walleye Fish the Rivers
