Fishing Youghiogheny River Lake

AKA: Yough Lake

Popular Fish Species
Youghiogheny River Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Marinas
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Youghiogheny River Lake, PA

Popular Fish Species Youghiogheny River Lake, PA

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass grow big and strong, and are a favorite of many locals at Yough River Lake. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to good fisheries management and a self-sustaining population of walleye, they are now prospering in Yough Lake this year. May and June are a great time for weekend anglers to catch them, as they spend more time in shallower water. 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.

Crappie Fishing

Both black crappie and white crappie reside in Youghiogheny River Lake, and crappie fishing is particularly good this year. Crappie can be found in sizeable schools, hanging around cover and structure like 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.

Youghiogheny River Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, chain pickerel, muskie and northern pike at Youghiogheny River Lake in Pennsylvania.

At 16 miles long and covering 2,800 acres, Youghiogheny River Lake is a large fishery, easily accessible to southwest PA anglers. The lake has a variety of fish species to pursue. Bass, walleye, crappie, hybrid stripers, catfish, muskie, chain pickerel, northern pike and sunfish all reside in this reservoir. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. Lake levels here may fluctuate drastically as the primary purpose of the lake is flood control. At high water levels, boat launches and a marina serve the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Youghiogheny River Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Youghiogheny River Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Marinas

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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