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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

The Pymatuning Lake area has a long history in agriculture, particularly with the humble onion. Each year, Pymatuning State Park hosts the Onion Festival to honor that history. Pymatuning State Park Onion Festival At one time, Linesville was the onion capital of the United States, distributing its fragrant produce via the Erie & Pittsburgh Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Prior to the creation of the lake, the area was known as Pymatuning Swamp. Little would grow in the mucky swamp soil, but local farms found they could grow onions, and that the onions would grow well. Some grew to eight inches in diameter! By 1918, half of all of the state’s onions were grown in the Linesville area. As a nod to this history, Pymatuning State Park and the Pymatuning Lake Association partner to hold the annual Onion Festival on the second weekend in July. This free community event features local craft vendors, live music, and delicious food, including the massive Bloomin' Onions. Multiple organizations also participate and available activities include kayaking, paddleboarding and archery. Please fill out the form below to apply to be a vendor for the Pymatuning Lake Association annual Onion Festival. More information about being a vendor can be found below. Please fill out the form below to apply to be a vendor for the Pymatuning Lake Association annual Onion Festival on Friday, July 10th from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM & Saturday, July 11th, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Please see the following information about vending at the Festival: Artisan Craft Vendor Booth 10 FT x 10 FT space is $50. Food Vendor Booth 20 FT x 20 FT space is $100. Please return your Check or Money Order payable to “Pymatuning Lake Association” for the total cost of space(s) with “2026 Onion Festival” in the Memo to PO BOX 78, Westford, PA 16134. Payments are non-refundable. Alternatively, payments can be made online here . All applications and payments must be received no later than July 1st, 2026, or $25 late fee is charged. The Onion Festival is held at Linesville Beach, at the north end of Pymatuning Lake. Vendors MUST provide their own shelter, tables, and displays. All crafters, artisans, demonstrators and food vendors will be permitted to set-up their booths on Friday July 11th 2024, beginning at 8 am. All vehicles must be out of the vendor area by 12:00 Friday. In the interest of the safety, all displays must remain open, with an attendant present during event hours, until 4:00pm Saturday unless other arrangements are made in advance. Vendors may choose to leave items set up overnight. While park staff is not responsible for lost or stolen items, Park Rangers will be in the area overnight. Booth spaces will be assigned by staff on a first come first serve basis as well. State regulations do not permit raffles in the state park. Therefore, you may not conduct raffles of any kind in your booth. Health inspection license must be attached with all food vendor applications. No projectile toys, weapons, fireworks are permitted to be sold. RV’s, self-contained campers, are permitted in the designated vendor parking area. Please notify us prior to your visit to make arrangements if you intend to stay in the area. No hook-ups are available. Questions? Message us here or contact Assistant Park Manager Sean Benson at 724-932-3142. Calling all Vendors! Interested in the 2026 Onion Festival? Apply below! Onion Festival Vendor Form

Since 1945, Pymatuning Lake Association has supported the Pymatuning Lake Region and Pymatuning State Park. Welcome to the Pymatuning Lake Association What's New Latest news from the Pymatuning Lake Area. Kids Free Fishing Derby is August 1st & 2nd! Crawford Gives 2025 Crawford Gives is August 12 - 15. Donate by visiting crawfordgives.org! Donations needed to fund an eagle camera at Pymatuning Lake Any amount helps! Click on the link to learn more. Listen to our VP talk about Pymatuning & PLA on the next 120 Outdoors Podcast, out August 1st! Thank you to all the great small business supporters of PLA! Upcoming Events No events at the moment

Help bring an Eagle Camera to Pymatuning. The Pymatuning Lake Association is currently working with Pymatuning State Park management to install an eagle camera on one of the nests within the park. The camera would be live-streamed so folks could watch the eagles during nesting and the eaglets after they hatch. It will also be a valuable asset for our Environmental Educators to teach students about our national bird. Our goal is to raise $10,000 total, which will not only purchase the camera equipment, but help pay for the necessary internet connection and subscription to be able to live-stream for the next 5 years. Our area also supports one of the largest concentrations of nesting Bald Eagles in the state and Pymatuning is the only known place in Pennsylvania where bald eagles have nested continuously, even through their population decline in the mid-1900s. Today, park visitors can spot eagles nesting and soaring over the lake throughout the year and during the winter months, eagles can often be seen sitting on the ice. This year, we had 15 nests around the lake and at least 11 of those had eggs. We currently have $5,127 raised toward our goal. Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly Amount $20 $20 $50 $50 $100 $100 $200 $200 Other Other 0/100 Comment (optional) Donate $20 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Copy link Fly Higher, Together