Fishing Pymatuning Reservoir
AKA: Pymatuning Lake
Popular Fish Species Pymatuning Reservoir, PA
Crappie Fishing
Pymatuning Lake is considered one of the top 25 crappie lakes in the in the United States by many fishing organizations. Both black and white crappie reside in the lake, with black crappie typically running larger than white crappie. They do school together so when you find them you may catch both species. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a quick limit of crappie.
Walleye Fishing
Thanks to good fisheries management by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, a healthy population of walleye is thriving in the waters of Pymatuning Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, staying close by schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.
Yellow Perch Fishing
Pymatuning Reservoir continues to have a healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake as well. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line. They make for an excellent fish fry, are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake, and they are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing.
Pymatuning Reservoir Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white bass, yellow perch and muskie at Pymatuning Lake in Pennsylvania.
Straddling the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in northwest PA, Pymatuning Lake provides a wide variety of angling opportunities. This 14,600-acre reservoir is the largest impoundment in PA, and boasts healthy populations of bass, crappie, walleye, muskie, perch, catfish and sunfish. There is a 20-hp limit for watercraft, so the boat traffic is quite placid.
Pymatuning Reservoir, located in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, is a renowned fishing destination that offers exceptional angling opportunities. Covering a vast surface area of approximately 17,000 acres, this expansive lake provides a wide range of fishing options for both casual and avid anglers alike. The lake is particularly famous for its abundant population of walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, perch, and catfish. Anglers flock to Pymatuning Lake to test their skills and try their luck at catching these prized fish species.
It is very relaxing for fishing. Kayaks and canoes are ideal here, as well as boats powered by electric motors. When fishing from a boat, fishing licenses issued by either OH or PA are valid. Shoreline anglers are required to hold a license for the state in which they are standing. Submerged brush and vegetation is a magnet to baitfish, which attracts the bass, crappie and other species. In winter, come experience the fun of ice fishing for black crappie, white crappie, walleye and yellow perch.
Primary fish species residing in Pymatuning Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Pymatuning Reservoir Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boating is a popular activity on Pymatuning Lake, offering visitors the chance to explore its vast waters and access prime fishing locations. The lake permits motorized boats, making it ideal for powerboating, water skiing, and sailing. Boaters can launch their own vessels at the lake's numerous boat ramps or rent boats from marinas. Navigating through the lake's calm and picturesque waters, discovering hidden coves, or enjoying a leisurely cruise are all options available to boating enthusiasts at Pymatuning Lake.
Fishing Boat Rentals
Espyville Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks and pontoon boats
724 927-2001
Marinas
Jamestown Marina
15573 Marina Dr
Jamestown, PA 16134
724 932-3267
Linesville Marina
3293 W Erie St Ext
Linesville, PA 16424
814 683-4339
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Alcatraz Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited parking.
Espyville Launch
Located in Pymatuning State Park, just south of the Highway 285 bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and a decent amount of gravel parking.
Four Islands Bay Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited parking.
Jamestown Boat Ramp
This is a popular, three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and plenty of gravel parking. It is located in the southwest corner of the lake near Jamestown Marina.
Linesville Marina Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and plenty of parking.
Manning Boat Ramp
Located just south of the Pymatuning State Park, Tuttle Beach Area, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and plenty of parking.
Orchard Boat Ramp
Located on the east side of the main lake, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with docks and very limited parking.
Westinghouse Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited parking.
Tuttle Boat Launch
Located on the northern tip of Pymatuning State Park, Tuttle Beach Area, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with limited parking.
Wilson Road Boat Ramp
Located at the northern tip of the lake, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited parking.
Fishing Guides On Pymatuning Reservoir
Darl Black Guide Service - smallmouth bass, crappie
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Pennsylvania Fishing License.
Camping options abound around Pymatuning Lake, allowing visitors to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the area. Pymatuning State Park in Pennsylvania and Ohio offers camping facilities with both tent and RV sites. The campgrounds provide a peaceful and scenic environment, allowing visitors to wake up to the sounds of nature, enjoy lakeside activities, and relax in the tranquil ambiance of the park.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Holiday Camplands Campground - 440 293-7116
Lake Village Campground - 440 293-8434
Turtle Point Campground - 888 727-2757
Pymatuning State Park Campground - 724 932-3142
Pymatuning Reservoir PA Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Pymatuning Lake
Pymatuning State Park
2660 Williamsfield Rd
Jamestown, PA 16134
724 932-3142
Fishing lakes in each state.
060624
Pymatuning Lake in Pennsylvania.
PENNSYLVANIA
Bass, catfish, walleye and crappie fishing in western PA.
