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Rainbow Trout
Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife from Sacramento, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 
Chain Pickerel
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0 
Striped Bass
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0 
American Shad
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Pennsylvania lakes and reservoirs
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Donegal Lake Fishing
A 90-acre Pennsylvania lake in Westmoreland County, stocked trout water.
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Westmoreland County
What to expect at Donegal Lake
Donegal Lake covers 90 acres, the PFBC lake layer shows, inside Westmoreland County. The PFBC layer names PFBC as owner. Donegal is the nearest place on the Census list, some 2 miles away. The outlet feeds Fourmile Run. It is a Southwest Region water for PFBC.
The Commission manages bluegill and pumpkinseed, crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish and rainbow trout here. PFBC data show 2 access areas with ramps. Trout rules here follow its status as stocked trout water. It carries Big Bass Program and Panfish Enhancement Lake rules.
90acres
2ramp access areas
6species listed
5scheduled stockings
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
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Species PFBC lists for Donegal Lake
Fish below are tied to Donegal Lake by PFBC listings, the record book or 2026 stocking.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Trout
How trout fit into Donegal Lake
yesstocked trout water
noopen year-round
noearly season
Southwesttrout region
PFBC lists Donegal Lake among stocked trout waters, so the statewide trout creel of 5 (3 in the extended season) and the 7-inch minimum apply.
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
PFBC Stocked Trout Waters layer and 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), p. 10, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Access
Where boats go in at Donegal Lake
- Lake Donegal #1 Accessboat ramp, 40 trailer spaces, dock, electric motors only; owner PFBC
- Lake Donegal #2 Accessboat ramp, 25 trailer spaces, dock, electric motors only; owner PFBC
Where else to launch near Donegal Lake
- Acme Dam AccessAcme Dam, 3 miles southwest
- Jacobs Creek ParkGreen Lick Reservoir, 9 miles west
- Laurel Hill Lake Access near Seven Springs (PFBC access 400)Laurel Hill Lake, 12 miles southeast
- Legion-Keener ParkLoyalhanna Creek, 12 miles north
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
Limits
The limits anglers follow at Donegal Lake
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout (regular season) | 5 (combined species), streams, lakes and ponds; minimum 7 inches | Regular season: April 4 at 8 a.m. through Sept. 7 (statewide opening day) |
| Trout (extended season, stocked waters) | 3 (combined species); minimum 7 inches | Jan. 1 through Feb. 15 and Sept. 8 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30) | 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | June 13 through Sept. 30 |
| Bass (Jan. 1 to April 10, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31) | 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (April 11 to June 12) | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) | April 11 through June 12 (no harvest begins 12:01 a.m.) |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 1 (combined species); minimum 40 inches | Open year-round |
| Northern pike | 2; minimum 24 inches | Open year-round |
| Chain pickerel | 4; minimum 18 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye and saugeye | 6; minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 2 through Dec. 31 |
| Sunfish, crappie and other panfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Catfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Striped bass and hybrids | 2 (combined species); minimum 20 inches | Open year-round |
| American shad | 3 | Open year-round |
Statewide inland limits are the baseline on Donegal Lake.
Program limits at Donegal Lake
| Program | Rule | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bass Program | Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass: 4 (combined species), minimum 15 inches, harvest Jan. 1 through April 10 and June 13 through Dec. 31; April 11 through June 12, catch and immediate release only, no tournaments. | p. 11 |
| Panfish Enhancement Lake | Minimum lengths: sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, redear sunfish) 7 inches; crappies (black and white) 9 inches; yellow perch 9 inches. Daily limit 20 per species; where more than one species is regulated on the same water, 20 of each with no more than 50 panfish combined. Listed here: Crappie 9 inches. | p. 15 |
Special regulations naming Donegal Lake
- Miscellaneous Special Regulations (Summary page)
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Stocking
Hatchery trucks at Donegal Lake
Donegal Lake gets 5 scheduled stockings in 2026 (rainbow most often); PFBC gives dates, not counts.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Channel Catfish (yearling) | warmwater/coolwater | ||
| February 24, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Donegal Lk parking lot |
| April 11, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Donegal Lk parking lot |
| May 4, 2026 | Rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Donegal Lk parking lot |
| October 14, 2026 | Rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | at Twin Lk Lw |
PFBC Adult Trout Stocking Schedule, Fingerling Trout Schedule and Warmwater/Coolwater stockings (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania stocking.
Surveys
What PFBC biologists wrote about Donegal Lake
PFBC Biologist Report Listing layer, retrieved October 23, 2026; older reports are history, not a current survey.
Compare
Donegal Lake beside nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donegal Lake | 90 | 2 | 6 | yes | |
| Acme Dam | 3 miles southwest | 24 | 1 | 4 | |
| Mammoth Dam | 7 miles northwest | 27 | 0 | 4 | yes |
| Bridgeport Reservoir | 8 miles west | 70 | 0 | 3 | |
| Green Lick Reservoir | 9 miles west | 100 | 1 | 5 | |
| Kooser Lake | 9 miles southeast | 4 | 0 | 0 | yes |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Nearby
Places near Donegal Lake
Other lakes within a drive of Donegal Lake
- Acme Dam3 miles southwest
- Mammoth Dam7 miles northwest
- Bridgeport Reservoir8 miles west
- Green Lick Reservoir9 miles west
- Kooser Lake9 miles southeast
Shops supplying Donegal Lake anglers
- Scott's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Stahlstown, under a mile
- Red's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Acme, 4 miles
- Swivel's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Mount Pleasant, 6 miles
- Ligonier Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Ligonier, 10 miles
- B & G Bait And Sport Shopbait and tackle shop, Normalville, 10 miles
- Moff Frank Fbait and tackle shop, Latrobe, 12 miles
Booking a guided trip on Donegal Lake
- Famous Fishermansfishing guide, Pittsburgh, (412) 521-8032
- Smallies On The Yough Llcfishing guide, Mckeesport, (412) 215-6254
- Fly Fishing Showfly fishing guide, Somerset, (814) 443-3638
Where to spend the night near Donegal Lake
- Mount Pleasant9 miles
- Ligonier10 miles
- Scottdale12 miles
County pages that cover Donegal Lake
- Westmoreland Countyseat: Greensburg
Piscifun
Piscifun reels that suit Donegal Lake
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Fish ID
Pictures of the species at Donegal Lake
Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife from Sacramento, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Answers
Donegal Lake fishing, question by question
How far is Donegal Lake from a Pennsylvania town?
It sits in Westmoreland County, PFBC Southwest Region, about 2 miles from Donegal.
How many acres does PFBC give Donegal Lake?
PFBC lists 90 acres.
Which ramp suits a trailer at Donegal Lake?
Try Lake Donegal #1 Access, one of 2 ramp access areas.
Which species does PFBC list for Donegal Lake?
The Commission names bluegill and pumpkinseed, crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish and rainbow trout.
Which minimum lengths apply on Donegal Lake?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30. Program rules apply too: Big Bass Program and Panfish Enhancement Lake.
Do I need a trout permit at Donegal Lake?
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
What has PFBC planned to stock in Donegal Lake?
Yes: 5 2026 entries, starting 2026.
Which bait counter on our list sits closest to Donegal Lake?
Closest on our list: Scott's Bait Shop, under a mile.
Add Donegal Lake to the Pennsylvania trip list
Buy the license and any permit before you drive.