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570 acres · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — PFBC data, retrieved Oct 4, 2026
Latest PFBC survey
April 2013 (13 years ago)
On the 2026 trout schedule
No (as published Oct 4, 2026)
Fish-consumption advisory
Yes — 2026 list
Tionesta Lake covers 570 acres in Forest County, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake. The most recent PFBC report on file is from 2013, more than 10 years ago. The 2026 advisory lists Smallmouth Bass here at 2 meals/month.
What PFBC biologists found
Apr 2013 survey · 13 years ago
PFBC biologist report
Historical survey — more than 10 years old; fish populations change.
Gear: trap nets, night electrofishing, boat electrofishing
Trap nets captured 6 Muskellunge. (p. 3)
Captured Muskellunge measured 30 to 46 inches and weighed 8.5 to 29.5 lbs. (p. 4)
Trap nets captured 1,832 White Crappie measuring 4 to 14 inches. (p. 2)
Of 332 Yellow Perch captured, 44.9% were greater than 7 inches. (p. 6)
Electrofishing captured 165 smallmouth bass measuring 3 to 15 inches at 110 fish per hour. (p. 7)
PFBC's plan, in our words: PFBC will continue intensive Muskellunge sampling to assess abundance, size structure, age, and survival; continued Channel Catfish stocking will follow statewide management plan criteria. (p. 7)
Findings are our short summaries of one survey at one time. Every number was checked against the cited page of PFBC's report. We don't rate lakes.
On PFBC's 2026 trout-stocking schedule
Tionesta Lake is not on PFBC's 2026 adult trout schedule (as published Oct 4, 2026).
Fish consumption advice (2026 list)
2026 DEP/PFBC fish consumption advisory, updated Feb 27, 2026.
Species
Meal advice
Contaminant
Area
Smallmouth Bass
2 meals/month
Mercury
Entire lake
Statewide advice:“Pennsylvania has issued a general, statewide health advisory for recreationally caught sport fish: eat no more than one meal (1/2 pound) per week of sport fish caught in the state’s waterways.”
“People who regularly eat sport fish, women of childbearing age and children are particularly susceptible to contaminants that build up over time.”
DEP: “The advisory listing was current at the time this summary went to press. Fish consumption advisories may have been issued or lifted since that time.”
Nearby stream advisory
Nearby stream advisory: Tionesta Creek (SR 0666 bridge at Henrys Mills to Tionesta Res. Dam) — Smallmouth Bass, All suckers: 2 meals/month (2026)
The 2026 DEP/PFBC advisory lists: Smallmouth Bass — 2 meals/month (Mercury). The statewide advice is one meal a week of sport fish. Not medical advice.
What fish are in Tionesta Lake?
PFBC's April 2013 survey recorded: White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Common Carp, Northern Hog Sucker, Muskellunge, Yellow Bullhead. Surveys record what biologists caught with their gear on those days, not everything in the lake.