Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region
www.pagreatlakes.com
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Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region offers a wide range of streams, creeks, rivers, tributaries and lakes to fish and take in the natural beauty of the Great Outdoors.
Lake Erie is known as the "fresh water fishing capital of the world". Fish from shore or stream, bring your boat or hire a charter. Field and Stream magazine ranks PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK as "one of the top family fishing spots in the nation". Averages of 1.5 million fish are caught each year in Lake Erie and its' surrounding waters. Brown trout, steelhead, perch and walleye are popular catches along with smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskies. Elk Creek, Twenty Mile Creek, Walnut Creek and other Lake Erie tributaries are ideal spots for beginning and avid anglers.
Also in Erie, is ERIE BLUFFS STATE PARK, the newest Pennsylvania State Park, located about 15 miles outside the city of Erie. Erie Bluffs is made up of 540 acres of shoreline and is another great fishing destination.
PYMATUNING STATE PARK is another stop along the way, located in Crawford County. The huge 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is a warm-water fishery, providing a great opportunity for what else, fishing! Some common species here are large-mouth and small-mouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, bluegill, crappie and more.
CONNEAUT LAKE is Pennsylvania's largest natural lake and draws people for many reasons. There is water skiing, pleasure boating, and of course fishing. Currently, two state record fish have been caught from Conneaut's waters, muskie and white bass. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass inhabit the lakes waters, and the fishing is exciting for both. The lush weeds offer great habitat for an abundance of panfish, crappie and bluegill.
WOODCOCK LAKE's country surroundings, undeveloped shoreline, and limited horsepower motor restriction make it a great family lake. There is also excellent crappie and muskie fishing available (Woodcock has one of the highest muskie densities in the state).
FRENCH CREEK boasts excellent smallmouth bass and walleye fishing. Its clear, cool waters run through the county's farmland and make it an ideal fishing spot.
Crawford County is home to a variety of other fishing opportunities for every skill level, including TAMARACK LAKE, CRYSTAL LAKE, SUGAR LAKE, CLEAR LAKE, CANADOHTA LAKE, and CONNEAUT CREEK.
Moving into Mercer County, the MAURICE K. GOODARD STATE PARK offers ample fishing opportunities as well. Featuring the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm, another warm-water fishery, you can't go wrong. In Lake Wilhelm, some common fish species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish, sunfish and more. Before leaving Mercer County make sure to head over to SHENANGO RIVER LAKE. Many fishing enthusiasts are attracted to the waters of Shenango River Lake for the bass, walleye, muskellunge and variety of panfish that inhabit the lake. In addition, thousands of anglers are drawn to the dam's outflow area to fish for trout which are stocked annually by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission during the spring.
In Venango County, Justus Lake at Two Mile Run Park is fed by a pristine trout stream, providing great fishing for both coldwater and warm water species. You'll find big deepwater trout in the middle of the lake and lunker bass along the weedline. In the winter, it's a popular ice fishing spot. The Allegheny River is home to small-mouthed bass and walleye, and large flathead catfish can be found in the deeper pools. French Creek is the most biologically diverse stream in Pennsylvania. Below the surface swim more species of fish than in any other stream in the state (over 80 types). Good catches on French Creek are walleye and small mouth bass. OIL CREEK STATE PARK offers excellent fly-fishing and is know for its bass and trout.
Annual Fishing Tournaments include:
- Feb - Annual Ice Fishing Contest - Canadohta Lake - 814-694-9622
- Feb - Winter Fun Days - Pymatuning State Park - 724-932-3142
- April - Crappie Fishing Tournament - Pymatuning Lake Association - 724-927-6879
- April - A Day at the Hatchery - Linesville State Fish Hatchery - 814-683-4451
- May - Annual Fishing Event for Kids - Erie National Wildlife Refuge - 814-789-3585
- May - Walleye Fishing Tournaments - Pymatuning Lake Association - 724-927-6879
- July - Kids Fun Day - Canadohta Lake - 814-694-9622
- Aug - United Way Bass Classic Pro-Am Team Tournament - Conneaut Lake - 814-337-1251
- Aug - Kids Fishing Derby - Pymatuning Lake Association - 724-927-6879
- Sept. - Conneaut Lake Sportsman's Club Fishing Tournament - Conneaut Lake - 814-382-1506
