Pittsburgh is one of the top cities for fishing in the U.S., according to a ranking prepared by ApartmentGuide.com, an online rental resource.
The Three Rivers City came in at No. 9 in the top 10 ranking among all U.S. cities with populations of more than 50,000.
For each city, the researchers looked at public fishing lakes, piers and preserves; wildlife conservation organizations and services; and fishing gear outfitters. They assigned weighted scores in those categories on a per capita basis to produce the rankings.
Pittsburgh was scored at 15.33 (0 for lakes, piers and preserves; 11.45 for wildlife; and 3.88 for outfitters), while No. 1 Bradenton, Florida, was given a score of 43.85 (23.85 for lakes, piers and preserves; 20 for wildlife; and 0 for outfitters).
In the commentary portion of the top 10 announcement, Philadelphia-based writer Michael Hochman explained, “The largest city in the top 10 by far, it is, after all, the city of bridges. There are a total of 446 bridges that cross the Allegheny, Monongahela and their famous confluence with the Ohio River. That certainly sounds like ample opportunity for great freshwater river fishing.
“The old, dirty, polluted Pittsburgh of the steel mill heyday was not ideal for fishing. But the rapid and astonishing transformation of the city in the last 40 years has changed all that. And there is a bevy of great fishing spots around the city to find local populations like largemouth bass and channel catfish. The dams, tributaries and bridges associated with the three primary rivers are the main draws.
Where are the best trout fishing waters in Pennsylvania?
“The Allegheny River is cool and clear. Check out angling at 40th Street Bridge, Millvale boat ramp, Highland Park Dam and by the Heinz Plant downtown.
“The Monongahela is darker and murkier. Fish gather around old walls and docks, and at spots like South Side Riverfront Park, Duck Hollow and Nine Mile Run.
“The Ohio River is deep and wide. Fishing lovers enjoy staking out at Neville Island, Emsworth Lock and Dam and right in downtown’s Point State Park.”
