The lake's muskie population is not a dense one, but big fish are present. Kinzua's thriving northern pike population may be a factor in limiting the lake's muskie numbers.

As one might expect, due to its physical characteristics and muskie population, Kinzua is an ideal trolling lake. With only limited shallow-water cover to hold fish, and with relatively few fish present, often your best strategy is to cover large areas of water. The most successful muskie trollers on Kinzua pay strict attention to schools of baitfish. Muskies tend to relate more to food sources than cover, although knowing the presence of large boulder fields is often part of the equation for locating fish. Big, deep-diving plugs are proven muskie producers on Kinzua.

The lake has no horsepower restrictions. The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administer access areas on the Pennsylvania portion of the lake. Fees are charged in some instances. To fish New York's side of the reservoir, anglers must possess a permit from the Seneca Indian Reservation and, in some cases, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. The Elijah, Wolf Run Marina and Willow Bay areas are popular access sites and suitable for larger boats. Many other ramps are available as well.

Fishing Hotspots produces a good lake map of Allegheny Reservoir.

PYMATUNING LAKE
Pymatuning Lake has bounced back nicely from the low muskie numbers of the 1980s. During that time, the combination of overharvest and red spot disease decimated the lake's muskie population.

Today, Pymatuning has a strong muskie population, fueled largely by the stocking efforts of the Fish and Boat Commission, with some fish also being added by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Pymatuning is a sprawling, relatively shallow reservoir that features stained, fertile water. The forage base is extensive. Gizzard shad and alewives are both present. Add to this young yellow perch, carp, sunfish and white bass, and it's no wonder that Pymatuning boasts some of the fattest muskies around.

Some 1.5 miles wide in some areas, Pymatuning is divided into northern and southern sections by the Espyville-Andover causeway. Though the lake is generally shallow, the northern portion is the shallowest. Depths there average 10 to 12 feet. Things get deeper in the southern basin of the lake, particularly at the extreme lower end, where the lake necks down within a mile or so of the dam.

Pymatuning's summertime muskies have a lot of location options. Most years, the lake features a good level of aquatic vegetation such as milfoil and curly pondweed. The springtime weather plays a big role in this. Springs that feature a lot of dirty water and cloudy conditions tend to equate to lesser weeds.

Such was the case last summer, when weed growth was sporadic. Clear water and stable spring weather means more summertime weeds.

Wood is also an important fish attractor on Pymatuning. Shoreline laydowns are present in many areas. Stumpfields are also good places to find summer muskies. Fish attractors -- cribs, tire reefs and brushpiles -- are scattered throughout the lake. As with Kinzua, however, some muskies will be found near schools of pelagic baitfish.

This mix of habitat and forage creates a muskie fishery tailored to both the caster and the troller. For the caster, weedy areas rich with humps and points provide excellent targets for shallow-running crankbaits, bucktails and jerkbaits. Such areas are prominent in the northern part of the lake around the islands. The Ohio side of the southern basin, the 41 Bay area, also has a lot of good casting spots. The eastern shoreline of the southern lake, from Snodgrass down to the dam, features numerous rocky humps that rise up near the surface.