About the Upper Shenango River Water Trail
The Shenango is a tame river that is great for paddlers of all skill levels.
The river has a lot of twists and bends rewarding those who visit the water trail.
There’s even a bit of history to see while you float the Shenango River.
The Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy hunted the lands surrounding the river and called it pie-ma-tun-ing, “the crooked-mouthed man’s dwelling place.”
In 1931 Gov. Gifford Pinchot approved $1.5 million to build a dam.
When the work ended, the Shenango River valley was transformed. The dam created a lake 16 miles long with 70 miles of shoreline and more than 17,000 acres of water. The lake became one of the commonwealth’s largest.
The water trail was once part of the Erie Extension Canal, which was used to move coal and is still visible in places.
Fishing Opportunities
The river offers good and even sometimes slightly curious fishing.
In the spring, the first mile from Pymatuning Reservoir’s outflow holds Channel Catfish, Muskellunge, Walleyes and Flathead Catfish. As the weather warms, though, the fish move and no one is really sure where they go.
“It seems like they disappear, said Davis Fray, a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologist. “It could be they’re going all the way to Shenango River Lake.”
Anglers can target Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and golden Rainbow Trout in the stretch of the Shenango River from New Hamburg Access down to Fredonia. That part of the Shenango River is stocked with trout in March, April and October.
Downstream of Greenville, where the habitat becomes a bit more rocky, anglers can find Smallmouth Bass.
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Where to Fish
Discover PA's best fishing waters, warmwater/coolwater fisheries and trout streams along the Shenango River.
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Biologist Reports - Area 1
Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie and Mercer Counties
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Warmwater/Coolwater Stocking
Search stockings of juvenvile warmwater/coolwater fish species along the Shenango River.
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Trout Stocking Schedule
Search trout stockings along the Shenango River.
Boating Opportunities
From Pymatuning State Park to the backwaters of the Shenango River Lake the more than 20-mile Upper Shenango River Water Trail meanders through the Shenango Valley.
While the river is not particularly challenging, paddlers do have to pay attention to the rivers twists and turns or they may end up in a tree, on the bank or pointed the wrong way.
There are 12 launches along the trail .
When floating the river trail, you’re guaranteed to see wildlife.
White-tailed deer, muskrats, beavers and otters can be spotted when on the Shenango River.
It’s not uncommon to spot three or four Bald Eagles during an afternoon float. And eagles aren’t the only birds you’ll see. It’s common to spot green and great blue herons, ospreys and kingfishers.
The Shenango River Watchers are always working to improve the water trail.
The organization also hosts Paddle Fest each year to celebrate the water trail.
This content was partially adapted from The Shenango River Water Trail feature by Bob Frye in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine.
