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Take a hike and conquer the trail system at Ohio Pymatuning State Park for 2025! Participants can do it on their own or join one of the many Naturalist led programs held on the trails. Please note, some closed trails are only accessible with the Park Naturalist. Programming opportunities for access to those trails will be posted on the Ohio Pymatuning State Park website and Facebook page. Participants will be awarded a digital badge upon completion of all the trail check-ins, using the OuterSpatial app. A Pymatuning 2025 - Take a Hike: Master Series pin (pictured above) can be redeemed when the digital badge is shown to the Naturalist at the Pymatuning State Park Nature Center. Nature Center hours change seasonally and can be found on the Pymatuning State Park website and Facebook page. Use the OuterSpatial app for self-guided challenge check-ins, trail maps, and hike details. Download the free app at: https://outerspatial.link/i2knRU2MwIb See you on the trails!

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced February 7, 2025, the appointment of Jessica Fischer as the new park manager for Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County. “Jessica brings extensive experience and deep knowledge to this role,” said Secretary Dunn . “We are confident she will continue to uphold the high standards visitors expect at one of our most popular state parks.” Fischer assumed management of the 16,872-acre park in late December. Pymatuning State Park, home to the 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir—Pennsylvania’s largest lake—offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. An Erie native, Fischer is eager to return to the region after a decade away. “This is truly a full-circle moment for me—coming home to lead the park where I’ve built so many memories,” Fischer said. “I’m excited for this opportunity and look forward to connecting with the community around this incredible natural resource.” Fischer previously managed Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County and has held multiple roles within DCNR, beginning as a seasonal resource ranger at Presque Isle State Park. She later became a park manager trainee and has served at Moraine, Point, and Laurel Hill state parks, as well as assistant park manager at Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks. Before her most recent assignment, she worked in the operations and training section of DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks. Fischer holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, boating, biking, paddling, foraging for mushrooms, reading, exploring new restaurants, and singing. She also looks forward to enjoying outdoor adventures with her husband, Henry, son Leopold, and cat, Taylor. Former Pymatuning State Park Manager Dan Bickel has transitioned to a new leadership role overseeing the Western Plateau Division of State Parks , which includes Jennings Environmental Education Center, Pymatuning, M.K. Goddard, Oil Creek, McConnells Mill, and Moraine state parks. “I’m eager to take on this new role and help managers across the division create stronger connections,” Bickel said. “I grew up at Pymatuning and will miss the daily interactions with staff and visitors, who have become like family. But I have full confidence in Jessica’s leadership and her vision for the park.” Bickel holds a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation resource management and environmental education from Slippery Rock University. With 29 years of experience in Pennsylvania’s state parks, he has served in various roles, including as an environmental education specialist, park manager trainee, assistant manager at Ohiopyle State Park, and manager at Greenwood Furnace, Prince Gallitzin, and Moraine state parks.

Watch for eagles at any of the launches around the lake Catch a walleye or a crappie from one of the many developed shoreline fishing areas Take a kayak or canoe trip on the Shenango River Feed the carp at the Spillway Rent a pontoon boat at Jamestown, Espyville, or Linesville marinas Explore the history of the swamp, reservoir, and dam at the Gatehouse Spend a weekend at the Jamestown, Tuttle, or Linesville campground Visit the Fish and Boat Commission’s Linesville Fish Hatchery Watch the sunset from the Spillway Trail Stay the night in a modern cabin

Looking for maps or information about Pymatuning Lake? Check out our Maps & Publications page. Listed below are a variety of maps and publications related to Pymatuning Lake Pymatuning Lake Water Depth Map Pymatuning State Park Linesville Campground Map Pymatuning State Park Guide Pymatuning State Park Cabin Map Pymatuning State Park Jamestown Campground Map DCNR Interactive GIS Map Pymatuning State Park Tuttle Campground Map Pymatuning State Park Map Pymatuning State Park Recreation Guide

Each year, we host three fishing tournaments: Crappie, Walleye, and Kid's fishing Derby. Pymatuning Lake Association’s Annual Crappie Tournament! Saturday, April 25, 2026 FIVE FISH TOTAL WEIGHT (Payouts based on 50 total teams) 1st Place $250 2nd Place $200 3rd Place $150 4th Place $100 5th Place $75 BIG FISH $150 Entry Form Rules Pymatuning Lake Association’s Annual Walleye Tournament! Saturday, May 16, 2026 FIVE FISH TOTAL WEIGHT (Payouts based on 50 total teams) 1st Place $250 2nd Place $200 3rd Place $150 4th Place $100 5th Place $75 BIG FISH $150 Entry Form Rules Pymatuning Lake Association’s Walleye Tournament! Saturday May 17th, 2025 THREE FISH TOTAL WEIGHT 1st Place Charles McManus & Randy Savage - 13 lb. 3.8 oz. 2nd Place Dennis W. Morgan & Dennis M. Morgan - 11 lb. 14.6 oz. 3rd Place Mike Hunter & Kent Henderson - 3 lb. 6.8 oz. 4th Place Lee Hunter & Beth Fisher - 1 lb. 5.3 oz. BIG FISH Dennis W. Morgan & Dennis M. Morgan - 7 lb. 8.6 oz. Entry Form Rules

Pymatuning State Park is a gem in the PA State Park system. Encompassing almost 20,000 acres, there is something for everyone to do. About Pymatuning State Park “All human accomplishments begin with a dream.” The Honorable Gifford Pinchot, then governor of Pennsylvania, delivered these stirring words as part of his address at the Pymatuning reservoir ground breaking in 1931. Pinchot was fulfilling a Pennsylvania dream that began in 1868 when the General Assembly provided a survey and an estimate of the cost to drain the Pymatuning swamp to create farmlands. However, the swamp was not drained because it would cripple the industries downstream in the Beaver and Shenango Valleys. A severe flood in 1913 spurred the legislature to action. The Pymatuning Act, signed the same year, appropriated $100,000 to initiate building a dam. The Pymatuning Act states that the primary purpose of the Pymatuning Reservoir shall be for the conservation of waters entering the Pymatuning Swamp and for regulating the flow of water in the Shenango and Beaver Rivers. A secondary purpose is to use the dam and lake as a reservoir to impound flood water during periods of excessive runoff from the 158 square miles of drainage area above the dam. Construction of the concrete “spillway bowl” allowed independent regulation of the 2,500-acre upper reservoir to provide optimal wildlife habitat. It took 18 years for public and private organizations to raise the funds needed to build the dam. Work began in the fall of 1931. It took three years and almost 7,000 men to turn the dream into a reality. Almost everything about Pymatuning State Park is big. At 16,892 acres, it is one of the largest state parks in the commonwealth. The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the commonwealth and Pymatuning is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania. Perhaps the biggest thing about Pymatuning is the fun you can have boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and enjoying other recreational opportunities. In addition to the state park facilities, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission operates a fish hatchery and visitor center, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission has wildlife viewing areas. Learn More