East Branch Clarion River Lake Fishing
A 1,161-acre Pennsylvania lake in Elk County.
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What to expect at East Branch Clarion River Lake
East Branch Clarion River Lake covers 1,161 acres, the PFBC lake layer shows, inside Elk County. The PFBC layer names Elk State Park as owner. Wilcox is the nearest place on the Census list, some 6 miles away. The outlet feeds East Branch Clarion River. It is a Northcentral Region water for PFBC.
The Commission manages bluegill and pumpkinseed, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch here. PFBC data show 2 access areas with ramps.
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
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Fish below are tied to East Branch Clarion River Lake by PFBC listings, the record book or 2026 stocking.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Where boats go in at East Branch Clarion River Lake
- East Branch Boat Launch on East Branch Clarion River Lakepaved ramp, parking 20 spaces or more, unlimited horsepower, fee; owner COE
- Instanter Boat Launchpaved ramp, parking 20 spaces or more, dock, unlimited horsepower; owner DCNR
Shore access areas at East Branch Clarion River Lake
- Bendigo State Park Canoe Launchshore or carry-in access, unpowered boats only
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
Current level at East Branch Clarion River Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Clarion River Lake Near Glen Hazel, Pa | 1,648.27 ft lake elevation | Oct 26 1:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 26, 2026 1:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District (CWMS) reading for East Branch Clarion Lake, PA (NAVD88), recorded October 23, 2026; retrieved October 23, 2026. Values are provisional.
The limits anglers follow at East Branch Clarion River Lake
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| 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 East Branch Clarion River Lake.
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Hatchery trucks at East Branch Clarion River Lake
East Branch Clarion River Lake gets 7 scheduled stockings in 2026 (rainbow most often); PFBC gives dates, not counts.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Walleye (fry) | warmwater/coolwater | ||
| March 24, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | 100 Meters Downstream Outflow Of East Branch Lake. to State Gameland Boundary 1.15 Miles Downstream Of East Branch Dam | Int. of RT219 & RT321 |
| March 31, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | State Gameland Boundary 1.15 Miles Downstream Of East Branch Dam. to Conf Indian Run | Riverside Restaurant |
| April 16, 2026 | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | adult trout | State Gameland Boundary 1.15 Miles Downstream Of East Branch Dam. to Conf Indian Run | Riverside Restaurant |
| May 7, 2026 | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | adult trout | State Gameland Boundary 1.15 Miles Downstream Of East Branch Dam. to Conf Indian Run | Riverside Restaurant |
| May 7, 2026 | Rainbow trout | adult trout | 100 Meters Downstream Outflow Of East Branch Lake. to State Gameland Boundary 1.15 Miles Downstream Of East Branch Dam | Riverside Restaurant |
| October 6, 2026 | Rainbow trout | adult trout | 100 Meters Downstream Outflow Of East Branch Lake. to State Gameland Boundary 1.15 Miles Downstream Of East Branch Dam | The Dam Inn- 3205 Glen Hazel Rd. Wilcox, PA 15870 |
PFBC Adult Trout Stocking Schedule, Fingerling Trout Schedule and Warmwater/Coolwater stockings (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania stocking.
What PFBC biologists wrote about East Branch Clarion River Lake
- May 20042004
PFBC Biologist Report Listing layer, retrieved October 23, 2026; older reports are history, not a current survey.
East Branch Clarion River Lake beside nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Branch Clarion River Lake | 1,161 | 2 | 8 | ||
| Twin Lakes | 10 miles west | 7 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Laurel Run Reservoir | 12 miles south | 92 | 0 | 4 | yes |
| Ridgway Reservoir | 15 miles southwest | 75 | 0 | 4 | yes |
| Hamlin Lake | 17 miles north | 17 | 1 | 0 | yes |
| Parker Lake | 27 miles south | 21 | 1 | 0 | yes |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Places near East Branch Clarion River Lake
Other lakes within a drive of East Branch Clarion River Lake
- Twin Lakes10 miles west
- Laurel Run Reservoir12 miles south
- Ridgway Reservoir15 miles southwest
- Hamlin Lake17 miles north
- Parker Lake27 miles south
Shops supplying East Branch Clarion River Lake anglers
- Acl Flyfishingbait and tackle shop, Saint Marys, 7 miles
- Lazy River Canoe Rentalbait and tackle shop, Ridgway, 14 miles
- Paul's Trading Postbait and tackle shop, Kane, 19 miles
Booking a guided trip on East Branch Clarion River Lake
- Penna Comm of-Fish & Boat Commcharter, Reynoldsville, (814) 653-8957
- Kinzua Fly Fishing LLCfly fishing guide, Allegheny Reservoir, Bradford, (814) 368-5814
Where to spend the night near East Branch Clarion River Lake
- Johnsonburg9 miles
- St. Marys9 miles
- Ridgway14 miles
County pages that cover East Branch Clarion River Lake
- Elk Countyseat: Ridgway
Piscifun reels that suit East Branch Clarion River Lake
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Pictures of the species at East Branch Clarion River Lake
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, Public domain
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Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: SFOfishing, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
East Branch Clarion River Lake fishing, question by question
How far is East Branch Clarion River Lake from a Pennsylvania town?
It sits in Elk County, PFBC Northcentral Region, about 6 miles from Wilcox.
How many acres does PFBC give East Branch Clarion River Lake?
PFBC lists 1,161 acres.
Which ramp suits a trailer at East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Try East Branch Boat Launch on East Branch Clarion River Lake, one of 2 ramp access areas.
Which species does PFBC list for East Branch Clarion River Lake?
The Commission names bluegill and pumpkinseed, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and rainbow trout.
Which minimum lengths apply on East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30.
Do I need a trout permit at East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license: $27.97 for residents, $60.97 for nonresidents and $14.47 for resident seniors, fees included.
What has PFBC planned to stock in East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Yes: 7 2026 entries, starting 2026.
Which bait counter on our list sits closest to East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Closest on our list: Acl Flyfishing, 7 miles.
Does an agency gauge report the level of East Branch Clarion River Lake?
USGS and the Corps of Engineers report it; see above.
Add East Branch Clarion River Lake to the Pennsylvania trip list
Buy the license and any permit before you drive.