Shenango River Lake

If you’ve ever thought about fishing for some Pennsylvania fish, the Shenango River Lake is the one. This lake is perfect for both fishing enthusiasts and tourists, and we’ll tell you why.

Located in Mercer County, PA, and a reservoir on the Shenango River in the Shenango River Valley, the lake encompasses Western Pennsylvania and Northeastern Ohio. It is almost always teeming with visitors of different kinds, who, if not for the fish, are there because of the camping opportunities at the 300 surrounding campsites—notably the Clark Picnic Ground.

Read more to find out everything about fishing for quality crappie and other activities at Shenango Lake.

Fishing at Shenango River Lake

One of the main perks of fishing at the Shenango River Lake is the sheer amount of fish and species diversity you can hope to encounter. It will be perfect for you, whether you’re part of a group of experienced anglers or an individual fisherman who’s just getting into their new hobby.

You can organize your fishing trip to add to your camping or take a boat and go over Shenango Lake, throwing your bait and waiting for the best catch. And if you’re wondering which species of fish you’re most likely to catch, we’ve outlined that for you.

Types of Fish at Shenango River Lake

The following list offers you a glimpse of what species you could hope to catch on your fishing tour at the Shenango River Lake:

• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Yellow Perch;
• Channel Catfish
• Northern Pike;
• Flathead Catfish
• Pumpkinseed;
• Striped Bass
• Hybrid Striped Bass;
• White Crappie;
• Rainbow Trout
• Black Crappie;
• White Bass;
• Bluegill;
• Muskie;
• Walleye;
• Muskellunge Fingerlings;
• Walleye Fingerlings;
• Hybrid Striped Bass Fingerlings.

Of course, the fingerlings don’t count as separate species. Still, they’re worth emphasizing since much of the catch falls under this category. They, along with some smaller species, like the bluegill, the muskie, the northern pike, and the smallmouth bass, are proper panfish.

We can also mention the largemouth bass, yellow perch, flathead catfish, white crappie, and black crappie. They’re compact enough to fit inside a frying pan, making them the perfect meal to serve as a reward after a fun day of outdoor fishing.

The rest of the fish species, such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass, walleye, and white crappie, are known for their abundance at this location. We also mustn’t forget their record-breaking size!

Shenango River Charter Captains

To see a complete list of excellent Pennsylvania Fishing Guides, please click here!

When to go Fishing?

The best fishing times at Shenango River Lake in PA are around 2, 3, and 4 in the early hours, and around 2, 3, and 4 in the afternoon. Wait for a light breeze to guarantee a good catch of various species in these lakes, including northern pike, yellow perch, channel catfish, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, bluegill, and others.

While the density of different species varies with the seasons, the lakes region remains open year-round. All you need to do is find a good map of the area and enjoy exploring the aquatic surface!

Pennsylvania and Shenango River Lake Fishing Regulations

Regarding Shenango River Lake fishing regulations, the same ones that apply to the entire state of PA apply. Luckily, for most anglers, these mainly include the requirement to own a Pennsylvania fishing license. So long as you have one, you can go fishing at Shenango River Lake or any other fishing place in Pennsylvania!

About Shenango River Lake

The Shenango River Lake is one of the several in the Pittsburgh area created due to Ronald Regan’s 1938 Flood Control Act to prevent flooding. Construction of the Shenango Dam began in 1963 and was completed in 1965 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

It is 720 feet long and 68 feet high at its crest, housing the reservoir, which boasts a standard capacity of 29.920 acre-feet and a maximum capacity of 351.000 acre-feet. The reservoir is between several cities, namely Sharon, Greenville, Mercer, and Hermitage, PA, falling under Mercer County, PA.

The Shenango River Lake is also the home of sections of the Erie Extension Canal— notably Lock Number 10, Sharpsville. The Erie Extension Canal was part of the Pennsylvania Canal system in the 19th century. As such, this is a fantastic chance for history buffs.

Some of the project’s property, well-preserved, offers insight into the staggering economic development in which this endeavor played a crucial role in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Aside from the Shenango Recreation Area in PA and the Army Corps, the real treasure of Shenango River Lake is its multitude of fishing opportunities, which we will focus on now.

Shenango River Map

Recreation and Other Activities at Shenango River Lake

Aside from offering plenty of good opportunities for catching fish to the most enthusiastic anglers, the Shenango recreation area is also ideal for other activities. The lake boasts breathtaking scenery, and it’s also legal to swim in it! Other than that, the two most well-known activities are boating and camping.

Boating

Are you tired of going after channel catfish and smallmouth bass? You can still relish the lake by going boating! Just visit the boat ramp on the coast, and get yourself a nice boat. It’ll be a cruise you’ll never forget!

Camping

Finally, given the 300 campgrounds surrounding Shenango River Lake, it makes sense that camping is also a wildly popular recreational option. The Clark Picnic Ground, for example, is known for its beauty.

There are also many other campsites north of the lake, where you’ll find modern and well-equipped tents with electric hookups and even flush toilets! As you’ll be able to see for yourself, both the Clark Picnic Ground and the others are mesmerizing and highly relaxing.

Conclusion

Shenango River Lake in PA is undoubtedly one of the best locations for catching various fish: crappie, muskie, walleye—you name it. Feel free to go there and check for yourself; there’s no other lake like it!

Nearby Lake Destinations

We also have great deals available on the following lakes that match your search criteria.