Pymatuning Reservoir
The largest body of water in Pennsylvania, shared with Ohio. Shallow and fertile, it holds one of the best walleye and crappie fisheries in the region, plus muskellunge.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Drift or troll worm harnesses across flats. Spring jigging near the causeway.
Black Crappie
Stumps and brush in spring. Minnows under a slip bobber.
Muskellunge
Weed edges and open-water trolling in summer and fall.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud flats. Great ice fishing target.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Black Crappie | ||||||||||||
| Muskellunge | ||||||||||||
| Yellow Perch |
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1Jamestown Marina LaunchMarina3-lane ramp, ADA accessible. South end, 2 mi west of JamestownDirections ↗
- 2Espyville Marina LaunchMarinaNortheast end of the causeway, off PA 285Directions ↗
- 3Linesville Marina LaunchMarina2 mi west of Linesville off West Erie St. ExtensionDirections ↗
- Manning LaunchPublicADA-accessible launchDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye Combined with saugeye; open year-round at Pymatuning | 15 in | 6 / day combined |
| Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth) Open year-round | 12 in | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge Combined with tiger muskellunge | 30 in | 2 / day combined |
| Crappie Panfish Enhancement | 9 in | 20 / day |
| Other species (incl. yellow perch, catfish) 'All Other Species' category, year-round | See Pennsylvania rules book ↗ | No limit |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Gateway Bait & Tackle2.5 mi6517 State Route 85, Andover, OH · closest to Espyville Marina Launch(440) 293-7227Directions ↗
- Dunham's Sports15.6 mi18977 Park Avenue Plaza, Meadville · closest to Linesville Marina Launch(814) 333-8141Directions ↗
- 2903 US-6, LinesvilleDirections ↗
Local tips
- The PA–Ohio reciprocal agreement lets either license cover the whole lake. Confirm rules before you go.
- Wind drives the walleye bite. Fish the windward shore.
- Ice season can be excellent for perch and walleye when conditions allow.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Pymatuning Reservoir.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.