Fishing in Pittsburgh (Erie, Perryopolis, Dunbar: beaches, swimming, best)

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by gallacus

I suppose it would be important to ask what type of fishing you are interested in. I do see people fishing all up and down the allegheny when I kayak in the summer, even the point will typically have people fishing after work on most summer evenings. I wouldn't eat the fish out of the three main rivers, but they are there to be caught. If you're looking for a specific recommendation on a spot to fish from, go just East of the 16th St. Bridge on the North side of the Allegheny. There's a parking lot right there for the bike trail, you can just cross the bike trail and descend to the waterfront.

As for swimming, not many people do swim in the rivers, mostly because they think the water quality is still abhorrent, but I usually jump off my kayak to cool off right in front of PNC park. Its a gorgeous place to cool off, with all the buildings around and the riverfront park. People will look at you crazy when you say you swim in the river, but I've done it many times and never got sick or anything. Just don't do it right after it rains. The city is even building steps down into the river from the point so more people can swim.

Honestly, I'm not looking for any particular type of fish. If it nibbles on the bait and I can reel it in and throw it back, that's good enough for me. I'll fish for sunnies if I have too.

When you say "the point" do you mean by the stadiums? I've been down there and did not see a single person with a fishing poll. Great place to dock a boat though. When Jimmy Buffett came to down, the river over there was a wild place to be! My husband and I had a blast that weekend on the river!

Speaking of docking a boat, where does THAT happen? ARE there any docks? I see boats on the water in the summer, so obviously there must be a docking ramp somewhere.

I like the 16th bridge/bike trail idea. I will try to find that spot over the summer. It's probably what I'm looking for. I'm used to fishing in Buffalo on the river/lakes, from a dock or breakwall on the lake. The Buffalo river has spots all along the river where you can pull your car up and drop a line.

Are there any parks (beside point park, which I don't really consider a real park) that one can go to within a half hours drive? That's more what I'm thinking of for swimming. Where's the closest sandy beach to Pittsburgh that I can go to for the day without having to book a hotel to sleep over? Should I go to Lake Erie?

I probably wouldn't try swimming in the river. Not because I think it's polluted, but because I know how crazy the undertows can be. I grew up playing in water my entire life. I know the good and the bad that can happen in water. (Those of you who know me know what I'm talking about.)

Thanks for the tips!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

It's sort of cold and gross. I've seen people swimming in the Ohio and I've waterskied on it. Well, if you call getting up on the skis and falling over waterski-ing. I called it water-falling.

But I do have to admit that was before steel fell. Rivers were kind of yucky then.

I pretty positive they stock Moraine's Lake Arthur... and they have swimming beach areas. I also know that when it's really hot, McConnells Mills was the place to be. The water's too fast for swimming -- fishing I don't know about -- but the warmth of the big rocks and the splash of the fast water is really refreshing...

Where is Lake Arthur? I think I've heard of a Lake Moraine??? And McConnells Mills would be where? (Sorry)
Thanks for the hlep Tally's Mom! *smie*

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by gallacus

I have to say my experiences were quit the contrary. In the middle of the summer, the river feels about like the temperature of a heated swimming pool. Just cool enough to be refreshing, but still quite warm.

Where do you go to get INTO the river to swim?

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by suzeeq521

I do believe the reason folks don't (and are discouraged from) swimming in the rivers are that they aren't safe. Not in the terms of water quality, but in the terms of water-safety. I believe that there are some serious under-tows, rough bottoms, etc., especially on the Allegheny.

I actually have a neighbor who lost his little brother that way in the 60s.

Also, the rivers are kind of "highways", so there is concern over the barge traffic.

As far as fishing goes - there is lots of that. I know that folks fish off the 43rd street dock in Lawrenceville and that one of the groups (Venture Outdoors, maybe?) hosted a "Carp All Night" event (a play on the Lawrenceville's annual "Art All Night".) there last spring.

Also, I believe it is Venture Outdoors that holds lunch time fishing events, Wednesdays during the season on the river walk near PNC Park. You have to have a valid license, but they can even provide poles, bait, etc. if you need it.

I love the idea of "Carp all night" that sounds like a hoot! Agreed about the undertow, those can happen quickly and all olf a sudden. Venture Outdoors, I'll have to Google that one. Sounds like a great time.
Didn't Bass have one of it's fishing competitions here in Pittsburgh a few years ago?
Ive heard of Lawrenceville. Is it n/s/e/ or west of the city? Thanks!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by stasia

Visit Kayak Pittsburgh to check out some excellent use of our river assets!

Resources on area fishing:

Fishing-Pittsburgh Region : PA Hunt and Fish

Fishing, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Resource Guide

Thank you for taking the time to find these links. I will look into them now!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by stasia

Visit Kayak Pittsburgh to check out some excellent use of our river assets!

Resources on area fishing:

Fishing-Pittsburgh Region : PA Hunt and Fish

Fishing, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Resource Guide

I see there is a marina at Moraine State park, anyone know of any others?

Look how nice this seems!
Cresant Bay - anyone ever been here? You can rent boats there!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by RockLobster

LondB. The quality of both the water and aquatic life in all the rivers has improved in Pittsburgh in recent years. Natural populations of Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Shad, Channel Catfish, Bullheads, Carp and introduced Stripers and Trout from colder water streams flowing into the rivers are all being caught in and near the golden triangle (downtown)
One of the best locations right downtown for fishing is on the Allegheny River below Gateway Center. Here you will find water from the center's air system entering the river. This allows for higher oygenated water and is a location for many smaller fish. Hence where there are small fish you'll find many of the large game fish. I have seen several Smallmouth bass at that location larger then 4 pounds. Across the river under the lights of PNC Park, Bass and Walleye feed off bugs and minnows that are attracted by the massive lights. From a boat the shoreline both upriver and downriver of the Golden Triangle can be good fishing locations with good fish habitat being located there.
Prior posting has mentioned the hazard of being in the water following heavy rain events. For sure, the greatest health hazard does follow heavy rain events and rapid snow melt. Besides a lot of surface pollutants being flushed into the rivers all at once, much debris is also a hazard on and below the river's surface. Within an hour of downtown you can find trout streams in Beaver County, and to the east in the higher elevations of the Laurel Highlands. Beaver Creek which straddles the Ohio and PA state line 45 minutes Northwest of the city is a great Smallmouth Bass fishery and offers some amazing natural beauty. And trout fishing can be found one hour north of the city near Volant PA. There are also private lakes for fee fishing and private fishing-sports clubs around Pittsburgh. Overall good fishing can be found in and near the city as a rule. For actually eating the catch you had better refer to the PA Fish Commision for updates on testing of the species.

Thanks for all the info, I've got it all printed out!

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

Where is Lake Arthur? I think I've heard of a Lake Moraine??? And McConnells Mills would be where? (Sorry)
Thanks for the hlep Tally's Mom! *smie*

Lake Arthur is the name of the lake at Moraine... Pennsylvania State Parks - Moraine - PA DCNR

McConnells Mills is very close by Moraine -- like a 5 minute drive -- and its by far the most beautiful place on earth...
Pennsylvania State Parks - McConnells Mill - PA DCNR

Both are in Lawrence County, up Rte 79, or Rte 19 -- at the intersections of 19 and Rte 422.... The Mill has a covered bridge, a, of course, mill, picnic grounds, hiking on trails, some great white water rafting of all skill levels, some very small feeder streams that create small but cool waterfalls -- HUGE rocks... and a little off the beaten path a great place called Hells' Hollow.

Great waterfall there...

[Buzz858]

I Live in Rhode Island and we fish for Striped bass alot and you meantion that there is striped bass in the rivers there in Pittsburgh. Can you tell me what size we are talking about and one more thing is the stripes on the bass a solid stripe or broken? I have seen movies of land locked striped bass and the line are not solid lines but they are pretty good size.
In a good year here In RI. 40,and 50 pounders are caught alot.
Tight lines guys

[londonbarcelona]

Any one know what the beaches at Lake Erie are like? I miss Lake Ontario!

So - top three places to fish and top three places to swim are....?

Thanks!