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Raystown Lake

Boat Ramps
10
Access Points
12
Species
19

Raystown Lake, the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania's borders, offers an exceptional fishing experience in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains. Spanning 8,300 acres and stretching nearly 30 miles, this man-made reservoir features 118 miles of shoreline and reaches depths of 200 feet near the dam. The lake's northeastern section is characterized by clear, rocky waters, while the southwestern portion is more riverine with weed beds, standing timber, and slightly more turbid conditions. With its diverse underwater structure and habitats, Raystown Lake has earned a reputation as one of Pennsylvania's premier fishing destinations, hosting an impressive variety of game fish species that attract anglers year-round.


Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

  • Walleye83,000 fish · Fingerlings2026
  • Striped Bass100,000 fish · Fingerlings2026
  • Lake Trout47,254 fish · Yearlings2026
  • Walleye83,000 fish · Fingerlings2025
  • Striped Bass100,000 fish · Fingerlings2025

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 Raystown Lake. 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.

Know where you can legally fish on Raystown Lake

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 Raystown Lake 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 Raystown Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Raystown Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.

  • HD depth charts from Garmin

    Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Raystown Lake and check the forecast before you go.

No forecast data available.


Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.