While you're here, don't miss the waterfalls just up the road from the dam

Welcome to the site of the annual Pennsylvania Fishing Championship
and the home of the state's record for Northern Pike and Walleye.
Everyone predicts a record-setting Muskie will be caught here soon.   

But  Kinzua has always been well known for the angling sport. Today a
series of fortunate, or unfortunate  events (depending on your point of
view), has preserved the area and enhanced sporting opportunities. In the
1920s about 500,000 acres surrounding the area became the Allegheny
National Forest, removing sources of pollution. When the Interstate
Highway System was built in the 1950s,  Warren was overlooked so the
area remains remote and undeveloped.

In 1965 the Kinzua Dam was finished, making Kinzua Lake the deepest
inland body of water in Pennsylvania. The oxygen rich tailwaters of the
dam have added to the fish population. This region is the largest block of
natural land between Chicago and New York. The only problem is that you
can't get here from there.

And that's the way a lot of anglers like it. (continued on next page)
Drive-in fishing. Lots of parking
right next to the fishing pier at the
Kinzua Dam where you can catch trout
standing right here. Take Hemlock
Road from Warren's east side at the old
Allegheny Hotel. Tailwaters of the Dam
seen here make for the best fishing
anywhere. This photo shows the pier
under construction a few years ago. It
now has substantial guide rails
installed and clean outdoor toilets
making this a popular destination for
families and the handicapped.
Trout, musky, walleye, northern pike.  Welcome to Kinzua. The name itself means "fish." Depending on
whom you talk to about the translation of the Seneca name, it means "fish on a spear" or "waters of the big
fish."

The Kinzua region got its name from the old Seneca town under the present waters of the Allegheny
Reservoir (Kinzua Lake). This is where the Kinzua Dam got its name too. This is six miles east of  Warren.  
Across the water on the Route 59 side you can launch a canoe or boat at the Big Bend Visitor's center.
website content copyright 2005-2008 by Allegheny Almanac unless otherwise noted.
   from Warren PA   search site          Webmaster
Allegheny Almanac   
Kinzua means fishing
Click on photo to turn the page
Kinzua Dam inside the Allegheny National Forest
Kinzua Fishing

Next Page           Front Page         Contents Page