Little Juniata River

The Little Juniata River, or "Little J" is located in the Southern region of Central Pennsylvania. Back in the '60s, raw sewage and heavy metals from the local mills ran into the Little Juniata from the surrounding areas. Thankfully, people started realizing the environmental effects and the damage this was causing, and a massive cleanup effort was started back in the early '70s. Today, the Little J is once again a healthy fishery. With large deep pools, prolific hatches, and clean flowing water, this river now supports thousands of fingerlings stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission each year.

Downstream of Tyrone is where the Little Juniata turns into a true limestone river. From here, it continues to flow south thru the village of Spruce Creek where it picks up a bunch of different limestone springs that help keep the water flowing cool all year round. There are a designated 13.5 miles of river that are set aside as an All Tackle Catch and Release area. This area is from the railroad bridge at the downstream (eastern) border of Ironville, all the way down to the mouth. 

Access can also be gained in the village of Spruce Creek. It is relatively easy access as paved roads run along side of it. For about a mile downstream from the R 45 Bridge at Spruce Creek, both sides of the Little Juniata are posted against trespassing. After leaving this area, the Little Juniata flows through Rothrock State Forest and you can only get to it by a series of dirt trails. This section of river has many deep pools and fast moving riffles. Wading in this area can be extremely challenging and anglers are advised to use caution. Boots with studs along with a wading staff are highly recommended.

Below the gorge and down to SR 305 near Petersburg, the river can be accessed via paved roads once again. Just below where SR 305 crosses, the Little Juniata merges with the Frankstown Branch to form the main stem of the Juniata River. This section of river has many deep pools and fast-moving water as well so proceed with caution. This area also gets some very prolific hatches and can make the fishing here very good.

Most of the fish in this river are brown trout, but occasionally anglers can tie into some healthy rainbows. The fish here are all stocked as fingerlings, but they take on the similarities of wild trout very quickly.  There are also some truly wild river-bred fish around, especially in the area of where Spruce Creek dumps in.