Best fishing lakes in Pennsylvania: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Raystown Lake

Raystown Lake spreads over some 8,300 acres. Striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye are the draw. The deepest water is around 200 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank to work.

Raystown Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Wallenpaupack

At 5,760 acres of water, Lake Wallenpaupack is a good-sized lake. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch are the draw. At about 60 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Lake Wallenpaupack today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Shenango River Lake

Shenango River Lake is a reservoir of 3,560 acres of water. The lake is next to Sharpsville. Shenango Dam holds it on the Shenango River. It holds muskie, striped bass, walleye and northern pike. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Shenango River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Marburg

At 1,280 acres of water, Lake Marburg is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is about 1.5 miles west of Parkville. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and crappie. The deepest water is around 110 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Marburg is the centerpiece of Codorus State Park in York County, formed by damming Codorus Creek.

Lake Marburg today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Arthur

Lake Arthur covers 3,220 acres of water. The lake is about 1.5 miles southeast of Prospect. It holds northern pike, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Arthur today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Youghiogheny River Lake

At 2,840 acres, Youghiogheny River Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies near Hopwood. Youghiogheny Dam holds it on the Youghiogheny River. Walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are the draw. At about 120 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Youghiogheny River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir that straddles the Pennsylvania-Maryland border near Confluence.

Youghiogheny River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Pymatuning Reservoir

Pymatuning Reservoir covers 17,000 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Youngstown (about 29 miles). It holds walleye, muskie, largemouth bass and catfish. It goes down to about 35 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Pymatuning is Pennsylvania's largest lake and straddles the Pennsylvania-Ohio state line.

Pymatuning Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake)

At 12,100 acres of water, Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) is a big lake. The lake is about 7.1 miles north of Randolph. Kinzua Dam holds it on the Allegheny River. Expect walleye, muskie, catfish and trout. The deepest water is around 130 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Wilhelm

Lake Wilhelm covers some 1,680 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Youngstown (about 34 miles). It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and crappie. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Lake Wilhelm was created in 1971 by damming Sandy Creek and lies within Maurice K. Goddard State Park.

Lake Wilhelm today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir)

Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir) spreads over some 1,730 acres. You will find it near Zion. Foster Joseph Sayers Dam holds it on the Bald Eagle Creek. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and yellow perch. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Glendale Lake

Glendale Lake is a reservoir of 1,640 acres. The lake is near Patton. It holds northern pike, muskie, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Glendale Lake is a man-made lake at the center of Prince Gallitzin State Park in Cambria County.

Glendale Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Beltzville Lake

Beltzville Lake is a reservoir of some 950 acres. You will find it about 2.7 miles southwest of Weissport East. It is the Pohopoco Creek behind Beltzville Dam. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and trout. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Beltzville Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in Carbon County popular for striped bass and trout fishing.

Beltzville Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Pick by species

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Raystown Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, Shenango River Lake and Lake Marburg
• Walleye: Raystown Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, Shenango River Lake and Lake Marburg
• Trout: Lake Marburg, Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake), Beltzville Lake and East Branch Clarion River Lake
• Crappie: Shenango River Lake, Lake Marburg, Lake Arthur and Youghiogheny River Lake
• Pike and muskie: Shenango River Lake, Lake Marburg, Lake Arthur and Youghiogheny River Lake
• Catfish: Shenango River Lake, Lake Marburg, Lake Arthur and Youghiogheny River Lake

When to go

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually fair. Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Before you go

Buy a Pennsylvania fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.