Lake Fishing

Shawnee Lake is part of Shawnee State Park and if you’re looking to do some swimming or paddling, this will be the place you’ll want to go. See Shawnee State Park on the opposite page. If you’re looking to do some speed boating or lake cruising, you’ll want to visit Raystown Lake. Map

Raystown Lake is the largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania and it’s at the northeastern edge of Bedford County and Huntingdon County. It has 110 miles of shoreline and 8,300 acres of water. The area surrounding the lake is undeveloped, offering beautiful scenery. The lake is created from the waters of the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. Call 1-888-RAYSTOWN for more info when visiting this area. Map

Koon Lake and Lake Gordon are two small lakes in Cumberland Valley Township in Bedford County. With a combined 388 acres, they are owned by the Evitts Creek Water Company and supply water to the city of Cumberland, MD. Koon Lake (268 acres) and Lake Gordon (120 acres) are open to non-powered boats and kayaks as well as electric motor powered boats. Shore and pier fishing are also permitted. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Cumberland Maryland officials and local anglers, both Pennsylvania and Maryland, work together to provide this increased angling opportunity on Koon Lake and Gordon Lake. Map

Stream and Fly Fishing

The Raystown Branch of the Juniata River is a gentle river that can provide a very pleasant day of paddling or fishing. You can view and print a PA Fish and Boat Commission Water Trail Map for the Raystown Branch by clicking the following link. Juniata River Water Trail-Raystown Branch.

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The Raystown Branch of the Juniata River flows from the Southwest Quadrant of the county to the Northeast.

Trout fisherman will find satisfaction just west of Bedford (view the SW Quadrant map).

There is usually a good supply of bass and panfish from Bedford,east. (view the NE quarter map). Notice the river from Everett, as it winds toward Breezewood and then toward Hopewell. This is an excellent placefor bass, beauty and little or no fishing pressure.

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There are 4 main creeks which provide excellent trout fishing in Bedford County.

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BOB'S CREEK - Noth West Bedford Co. -Streambred and stocked brown and brooke trout call this lovely freestone stream home. Located through Blue Knob State Park and State Game Land #26

FLIES OF CHOICE: Blue Winged Olive, Adams, Stone Flies, Crane Flies and Terrestrials

ACCESS: Via Route 869 as it winds its way through Blue Knob. Upper stretches accessed by turning off 869 onto township gravel road just past Pavia.

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YELLOW CREEK - North East Bedford Co. - Bedford County's premier limestone stream with 10 miles of stocked water. The upper meadow section, above Loysburg, resembles a classic limestone stream flowing through pastures where erosion and siltation can be a problem. From Loysburg downstream, Yellow Creek changes character as it loses elevation and flows through the Loysburg Gap where large boulders, deep pools and fast riffles produce large trout all season. A Delayed Harvest Fly Fishing Only Area can be accessed by turning off Route 36 onto SR 1024 (at the New Frontier Restaurant) and driving several miles to the second bridge. The special regulation area begins upstream where Maple Run enters Yellow Creek and continues upstream for 1 mile. Lower sections of the stream hold trout in the spring and summer.

FLIES OF CHOICE: (EARLY HATCHES - Apr-Jun) Blue Quill, Quill Gordon, Sulphur Dun, Green Drake and Light Cahill. (LATER HATCHES) Trico, Slate Drake, and Terrestrials.

ACCESS: From Everett take Rt 26 North (off of Route 30). Travel to the village of Loysburg.

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COVE CREEK - South East Bedford Co. - This is a small, stocked, but fertile limestone stream flowing through a valley of well kept farms.

FLIES OF CHOICE: Blue Winged Olive, Sulpher, Light Cahill and Green Drake. their nymphs and emergers work well when no trout are rising. Scud and Cresbug imitations are a good bet.

ACCESS - Best access south of Route 30 (near Everett, PA) is to take SR 2023 (Ashcom) to SR2021 at Ott Town.

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WILL'S CREEK - South West Bedford Co. - This creek winds through the Southwestern area of Bedford County. This freestone stream parallel's much of Route 96. Large boulders and heavy currents in some areas can make this somewhat difficult to wade. We make note (below) of some good spots to try.

FLIES OF CHOICE: Blue Quills, Sulphers, Blue Winged Olives, Slate Drakes and Large Stone Flies

ACCESS: From Schellsburg, take Rt. 96 South toward Hyndman.