Kinzua Creek

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 1
Species: 11

Kinzua Creek is a 26.5-mile tributary of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwestern Pennsylvania. The stream can be divided into two distinct sections, with Kinzua Bridge State Park serving as the demarcation point. Above the state park, the creek is a swampy, willow-lined waterway with limited fishing opportunities due to natural acidity and historic industrial impacts. Below the state park, Kinzua Creek transforms into a beautiful mountain trout stream with excellent access through the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). Averaging around 40 feet wide, the creek features deep pools against large rocks, overhanging ledges, and undercut banks, creating prime fishing habitat. The lower 15 miles flow through the ANF, providing anglers with numerous access points and camping opportunities.

Pennsylvania licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Kinzua Creek and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Rainbow TroutCatchable sizeOct 8, 2026
Rainbow TroutCatchable sizeMay 15, 2026
Brown TroutCatchable sizeMay 15, 2026
Rainbow TroutCatchable sizeMay 14, 2026
Brown TroutCatchable sizeMay 14, 2026

Source

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Kinzua Creek. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Red Bridge Recreation Area Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Kinzua Creek

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Pennsylvania licenses and regulations

Pennsylvania Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Pennsylvania Fishing License

A current license, signed in ink, is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any species of fish and to take fish bait, baitfish, and species of amphibians and reptiles from Commonwealth waters by those legal methods described in the Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws (Summary Book).

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Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Pennsylvania Stream Access Laws

The public has the right to fish in any navigable waterway, which is determined by the practical uses of the water. If a stream is determined navigable, the streambed is considered state owned, thus allowing wading, portage, and fishing. If the stream bed is non-navigable, floating is permitted, but fishing is exclusive to the landowner.

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Take Kinzua Creek with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Kinzua Creek to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Kinzua Creek to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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