Pymatuning Reservoir

Pymatuning Reservoir

Size
15,898ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Pymatuning Reservoir
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
White bass
White bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish

Overview

Extremely popular lake known primarily for walleye and crappie. Many overlook the fine largemouth and smallmouth fishing. Heavy management and stocking on this OH/PA border water. 13,699 acres

Pymatuning Reservoir Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • In Pymatuning Lake, carp and suckers may be taken with longbow and arrow, or spears
  • In Pymatuning Lake, fish may be only taken by angling

Special Species Regulations

  • Combined Carp and all Suckers: In Pymatuning Lake, carp and suckers may be taken with longbow and arrow, or spears
  • Turtle (general): In Pymatuning Lake, a Pennsylvania fishing license is required to take fish, frogs, or turtles from the Pennsylvania side or from any island
  • Sport Fish (general): In Pymatuning Lake, a Pennsylvania fishing license is required to take fish, frogs, or turtles from the Pennsylvania side or from any island
  • Frog (general): In Pymatuning Lake, a Pennsylvania fishing license is required to take fish, frogs, or turtles from the Pennsylvania side or from any island

Features

The majority of the lake is encompassed by Pymatuning State Park and jointly managed by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, camping, biking and hiking. Various facilities that accommodate these activities are scattered about the lakes perimeter.There are several developed shore fishing sites on the lake which attract anglers throughout the year. The site at the Linesville Spillway attracts numerous tourists who come to feed the abundant carp that congregate in the area. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission Fish Propagation Facilities and the aterfowl Museum are located near the spillway.Motors greater than 10-horse power are prohibited on the lake. The prop must be removed from all engines in excess of 10-horse power and left ashore. All water east of the spillway is posted as a fish and wildlife refuge and fishing and hunting are prohibited. Anglers should be aware of special regulations for walleye, bass and muskie. Either an Ohio or Pennsylvania license is needed to fish from a boat. If fishing from an island or shore, a license from the state you are in is required. Consult either the Ohio or Pennsylvania fishing regulations for details.

Forage

The primary forage for predatory fish is gizzard shad. This base is supplemented with populations of spottail shiner, emerald shiner and white sucker.

Seasonal Movements

Walleye move into Finely Creek and Linesville Creek during their spring spawn.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
5-14 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Nov
2022
Nov
Channel catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
5-14 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Nov
2022
Nov
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201715
Largemouth bass
fish
8-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
2022
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202220
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Perch
fish
9-28 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Nov
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202127
Pumpkinseed
fish
5-14 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Nov
2022
Nov
Smallmouth bass
fish
8-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
2022
May
Walleye
fish
9-28 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Nov
2024
Nov
White bass
fish
9-28 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Nov
2024
Nov