Biggest inland lakes in Pennsylvania: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Pymatuning Reservoir

At 17,000 acres of water, Pymatuning Reservoir is a big lake. It lies about 1.3 miles east of Pymatuning Central. Expect walleye, muskie, largemouth bass and catfish. It goes down to about 35 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

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

2. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake)

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) spreads over 12,100 acres. You will find it near Randolph. Kinzua Dam holds it on the Allegheny River. The fish here are walleye, muskie, catfish and trout. It goes down to about 130 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Allegheny Reservoir is impounded by Kinzua Dam, one of the largest dams east of the Mississippi River, and is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest.

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

3. Raystown Lake

At 8,300 acres of water, Raystown Lake is a good-sized lake. The fish here are striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye. 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

4. Lake Wallenpaupack

At 5,760 acres, Lake Wallenpaupack is a good-sized lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. At about 60 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

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

5. Shenango River Lake

At 3,560 acres of water, Shenango River Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies next to Sharpsville. 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 is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the Shenango River near the Ohio border.

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

6. Lake Arthur

Lake Arthur is a reservoir of 3,220 acres of water. The lake is about 1.5 miles southeast of Prospect. The fish here are 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

7. Youghiogheny River Lake

At 2,840 acres, Youghiogheny River Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is near Hopwood. The fish here are walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike. It goes down to about 120 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. 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

8. Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir)

Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir) covers 1,730 acres. It lies about 5.2 miles south of Zion. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and yellow perch. Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, often called Blanchard Reservoir locally, lies within Bald Eagle State Park on Bald Eagle Creek.

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

9. Lake Wilhelm

Lake Wilhelm covers 1,680 acres of water. The lake is near Stoneboro. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and crappie. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. 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. Glendale Lake

Glendale Lake spreads over 1,640 acres. The lake is about 3.8 miles west of Patton. The fish here are northern pike, muskie, crappie and bluegill. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. 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

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.