Oil City, PA: Allegheny River fishing and what to know
Guided smallmouth bass trips on the Allegheny River, plus a quick guide to Oil City, Pennsylvania.
Oil City, Pennsylvania sits where Oil Creek meets the Allegheny River in Venango County, in the heart of the region where the oil industry began. Today the river is known for smallmouth bass. Book a guided Allegheny River fishing trip out of Oil City with a licensed captain from $400 for 4 hours, rods, reels and lures included.
Book an Allegheny River fishing trip in Oil City
Prices are for your group of up to 4 guests. Pick a trip length, then choose your date and start time in the booking window.
4-hour river trip
From $400Starts 7 am or 2 pm6-hour river trip
From $500Starts 7 am or 12 pm8-hour river trip
From $600Full day, 7 am startPennsylvania fishing license required for anglers 16 and older (not included): buy it from HuntFish PA. Prefer to call? See all ways to book a fishing charter.
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call or text (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
What is Oil City, PA known for?
Oil City is a small city in Venango County, Pennsylvania, where Oil Creek flows into the Allegheny River. It grew up with the 19th-century oil boom that started nearby in the Oil Creek valley, and today it is known for its Victorian architecture, river trails and fishing. iOutdoors books guided Allegheny River smallmouth bass trips out of Oil City from $400 for 4 hours for up to 4 guests.
What’s included and what to bring
- Licensed local captain on a 22-foot boat
- Boat and fuel
- Rods, reels (left and right handed) and tackle
- Artificial lures
- Fishing instruction for beginners
- Cooler, ice and bottled water
- Pennsylvania fishing license (required for anglers 16 and older)
- Live bait, if you want it
- Captain tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks (bring your own; cans preferred)
What to bring
Reviews from Pennsylvania trips
5.0678 reviews
It was our 1st trip to Lake Erie fishing.We had a great day fishing with Capt Mark. It was windy with 3 and 4ft waves but his Ranger cut through the waves. We caught a few fish but we understood how fishing could be with the weather conditions. Mark is a seasoned fisherman and guide and we would…
Paul Hanner · October 2026 · Google
Got us in short notice. Put us on fish during a nice front
Luke Vankeuren · September 2026 · Google
Capt. Mark is top notch! Beautiful clean boat, knew how to get us on the fish fast! Absolutely will be booking with him again!
Marlay Shollenberger · September 2026 · Google
I had an amazing experience on Lake Erie for the first time and caught some nice smallmouth! Jonathan is that dude to make you have a great day, have fun and catch nice fish! Summertime smallie fishing was so badas$ and also a nice challenge but we got a lot of bites for a hot summer and hooked…
Pete Chilimindris · August 2026 · Google
Excellent trip, beautiful weather and lots of fish
John McWhirter · August 2026 · Google
We went out with mark rose bass fishing and he put us on the fish!!
Matt Moore · August 2026 · Google
Had a quick trip got put on the fish extremely fast.
Otis Davis · August 2026 · Google
June 21 2026 Great, amazing and so much fun fishing with Captain John. He immediately put me on the fish. Friendly and very knowledgeable. From the beginning until the end of the trip, he done it all. Including filleting all of the fish. Thank you for a wonderful Father’s Day. Definitely recommend…
Edwin Rosado · August 2026 · Google
Great guide and mate. They provided great assistance and good conversation. Highly recommend and we get to eat some fish for dinner.
Annette Wilson · August 2026 · Google
My husband fished with Captain Mark, he had a wonderful time. Captain Mark was very knowledgeable about the lake and was able to locate Walleye and Small Mouth Bass quickly.
Angela Backley · July 2026 · Google
Captain Jonathon was amazing! This was the first time my husband and I ever did a charter fishing trip. And the whole experience exceeded our expectations. We had some laughs, learned so much about boating, fishing and the area. He went above and beyond to make our experience memorable. We will…
Christina Wood · July 2026 · Google
What an awesome experience! Captain Jonathon was so friendly and experienced. My wife and I had such a wonderful time on the water, catching walleye with him. We had some laughs, learned so much on lots of different subjects, from the winds, local landmarks, different types of boats, and the fish…
James Wood · July 2026 · Google
Allegheny River fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- River trips paused; cold, high water
- Plan next season’s trip
Spring Mar–May
- Smallmouth wake up as the river warms
- Walleye in the deeper pools
Summer Jun–Aug
- Steady smallmouth action in the current
- Fish early on hot days
Fall Sep–Nov
- Some of the best smallmouth fishing of the year
- Walleye pick up again
Fish you can catch in the Allegheny River
Smallmouth bass is the main target on Oil City trips.
Smallmouth bass
BronzebackThe main target: river smallmouth on current seams, rocks and ledges.
Walleye
In deeper pools and runs, best early and late in the season.
Panfish
Rock bass and sunfishEasy action for kids along the banks and backwaters.
Seasons, size and creel limits apply: see the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Your captain can tell you what you can keep.
Where you’ll fish
Trips fish the Allegheny River around Oil City: current seams, rocky ledges and pools that hold smallmouth bass. Your captain runs a 22-foot boat and picks the stretch based on water levels.
Meeting spot: your captain confirms the launch and start time before the trip.
Also in Pennsylvania: Erie PA fishing charters on Lake Erie, about an hour and a half north, including Lake Erie walleye.
Oil City, PA: what you need to know
Where is Oil City?
Oil City is in Venango County in northwestern Pennsylvania, at the mouth of Oil Creek on the Allegheny River. It is about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh and about 70 miles south of Erie.
Oil heritage
The first commercial oil well was drilled in 1859 in nearby Titusville, up the Oil Creek valley, and Oil City became a busy oil town. Visitors can explore that history at Oil Creek State Park and the Drake Well Museum.
Things to do near Oil City
Ride or walk the river trails, paddle the Allegheny, visit Oil Creek State Park, and see the historic downtown. It’s an easy weekend for families; see our ideas for quality time with family.
Places to camp and stay
Venango County has campgrounds along the river and in the state parks, plus hotels in Oil City and nearby Franklin.
Towns near Oil City
Franklin, Titusville, Seneca and Tionesta are all within a short drive. For a bigger lake trip, head north to Erie and Presque Isle; plan it with Visit Erie.
Oil City fishing questions
What can I catch fishing in Oil City, PA?
Smallmouth bass are the main target on the Allegheny River, with walleye and panfish also common.
How much does a guided fishing trip in Oil City cost?
From $400 for 4 hours, $500 for 6 hours and $600 for 8 hours for up to 4 guests.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Anglers 16 and older need a Pennsylvania fishing license (not included); buy it from HuntFish PA before the trip.
What is included?
A licensed captain and 22-foot boat, fuel, rods, reels (left and right handed), tackle and artificial lures, plus a cooler with ice and bottled water. Live bait, food, drinks and the tip are not included.
Is the trip good for families?
Yes. River trips are calm, and captains teach casting to beginners and kids. The boat is handicap friendly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before your trip. If the captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
How far is Oil City from Erie and Pittsburgh?
About 70 miles south of Erie and about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh.
More Pennsylvania fishing trips
Lake Erie trips out of Erie, PA.
