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Pennsylvania · Fishing
Gouldsboro sits in the middle of the Pocono Plateau, and the fishing here reflects that setting: still water, dark-stained lakes, and swampy backwaters rather than rushing trout streams.
6 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 6 spots
Gouldsboro sits in the middle of the Pocono Plateau, and the fishing here reflects that setting: still water, dark-stained lakes, and swampy backwaters rather than rushing trout streams. The six spots listed on Roamze are all lake or swamp fisheries, including Bradys Lake, Snag Pond, Selfice Swamp, City of Rome Dark Swamp, and Underwood Swamp. That tannin-stained water is typical of the region and tends to hold warmwater species like bass, pickerel, and panfish rather than cold-water trout. Bradys Lake is the most developed of the bunch and the easiest starting point if you're new to the area. The swamp and pond listings are shallower, weedier environments that reward anglers who don't mind working through structure. Access varies by site, so it's worth checking Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) access maps before you load up the truck. A Pennsylvania fishing license is required at all of these waters, and if you're fishing with anyone under 16, know that they need a license too under current state rules. Overall this is a good destination for a relaxed, wade-light or kayak-friendly fishing trip rather than a technical angling challenge.
The lakes and swamps listed here are warmwater fisheries typical of the Pocono Plateau. You're most likely to encounter largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and various panfish like bluegill and crappie. None of the listed waters are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so don't plan the trip around trout.
Late spring through early fall is the most productive window. Bass and pickerel are most active from May through October, with the peak bite often coming in May and June when water temperatures are rising and fish are in pre-spawn or spawn mode. Ice fishing is possible in winter during hard freezes, but ice conditions on shallow swamp water can be unpredictable.
City of Rome Dark Swamp
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Underwood Swamp
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Bradys Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Bradys Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Selfice Swamp
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Bradys Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Ice Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Ice Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Wagner Swamp
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Gouldsboro Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
East Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Anglewood Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Also worth it near here
Medium-light to medium spinning gear handles most situations here. Weedless soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and surface lures work well in the heavy vegetation around Selfice Swamp, Underwood Swamp, and City of Rome Dark Swamp. A kayak or canoe is a real advantage at the swampier sites where bank access is limited or overgrown.
Yes, a valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required at all of these waters. You can buy one online through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website, at any PFBC issuing agent, or through the HuntFishPA app. Licenses are sold by calendar year, so if you're visiting in January, make sure you have the current year's license.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows, especially for bass and pickerel in warmer months. Midday fishing slows down significantly in summer when surface temperatures climb, though deeper sections of Bradys Lake can still hold fish during the midday lull.
