Western PA Top Fishing Lakes

[Frugal Floater]

I am fairly new to the western PA area and looking to see how the fishing/boating is...From what I have been told and research online, the best overall fishing bodies of water (not including Erie) within a 2 hour drive from Pittsburgh, PA are:

1. Lake Arthur
2. Tygart Lake, WV
3. Allegheny River
4. Loyalhanna Lake
5. Allegheny Reservoir
6. Conneaut Lake
7. Deep Creek Lake

If you know this area, what are your thoughts? Also, when do you "dewinterize" your boat in this area?

 

[CapnD]

Re: Western PA Top Fishing Lakes

Allegheny Res is a great lake. 91 miles of shoreline. Surrounded by mountains. Boat to/ Hike to only campsites. Straddles the NY/PA border. The state records for walleye and muskie for both states were caught in this lake, but overall the fishing is so so because there isn't much underwater cover for fish.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Western PA Top Fishing Lakes

You have all three rivers in Pittsburgh ... good smallie action.

Stretch it out to 2 1/2 hours from the east side of Pittsburgh and you have Lake Raystown.

As far as de-winterizing, I keep mine in a heated garage, so it never gets winterized ... use late into the winter as long as the water doesn't get hard. Boat mechanic friends and relatives get called back to work late February/early March to prepare for the summerizing season. By the end of March you still need to watch the weather forecast, but for the most part you are safe.

 

[mikastorm]

Re: Western PA Top Fishing Lakes

FishUSA.com can help ya out.
Lake Auther is a good lake for stripers , crappies, lm bass and some large cats.

 

[CapnD]

Re: Western PA Top Fishing Lakes

I take the cover off the houseboat at the beginning of april (5,6,7 this year) and let it air out a little. Plus that adds a month to "boating season". Our marina opens the first weekend in May usually. I winterize end of sept, first half of oct and am done by 10/15. short season, but great lake