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Youghiogheny River Lake

Boat Ramps
9
Access Points
15
Species
21

Nestled in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania and extending into northern Maryland, Youghiogheny River Lake offers anglers a picturesque and productive fishing destination. This 2,840-acre reservoir stretches 16 miles in length with 38 miles of shoreline, providing diverse fishing opportunities throughout the year. Created by the damming of the Youghiogheny River in 1944 primarily for flood control purposes, the lake has become a premier fishing destination in the region. With its clear, deep waters and varied underwater structure, the lake supports a thriving ecosystem that attracts anglers pursuing a wide range of species.


Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

  • Walleye56,800 fish · Fingerlings2026
  • Walleye142,000 fish · Fingerlings2025
  • Walleye56,800 fish · Fingerlings2023
  • Walleye142,000 fish · Fingerlings2022
  • Walleye85,200 fish · Fingerlings2021

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 Youghiogheny River 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 Youghiogheny River 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 Youghiogheny River 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 Youghiogheny River Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Youghiogheny River 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

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

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

YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER AT FRIENDSVILLE, MD

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