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Youghiogheny River Lake fishing almanac

Southwest region Fayette County

At a glance

Size and owner
2,840 acres · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — PFBC data, retrieved Oct 4, 2026
Latest PFBC survey
March 2021 (5 years ago)
On the 2026 trout schedule
No (as published Oct 4, 2026)
Fish-consumption advisory
Yes — 2026 list
Ice-fishing list
On PFBC's ice-fishing destination list (retrieved Oct 4, 2026)

Youghiogheny River Lake covers 2,840 acres in Fayette County, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake. PFBC biologists last reported on it in March 2021. The 2026 advisory lists Smallmouth Bass here at 2 meals/month.

What PFBC biologists found

Mar 2021 survey · 5 years ago

PFBC biologist report

Gear: trap nets

“The Walleye population in the lake is sustained through natural reproduction.”— PFBC biologist report, p. 1

PFBC's plan, in our words: PFBC will continue stocking marked Walleye fingerlings and use a future trap net survey and otolith analysis to evaluate hatchery contributions. (p. 2)

PFBC Biologist Report: Youghiogheny River Lake 2021 Trap Net Survey (2021), p. 1

Apr 2014 survey · 12 years ago

PFBC biologist report

Historical survey — more than 10 years old; fish populations change.

Gear: trap nets, night electrofishing

PFBC Biologist Report: Youghiogheny River Lake (2014), p. 1

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

Youghiogheny River 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.
SpeciesMeal adviceContaminantArea
Smallmouth Bass2 meals/monthMercuryEntire 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

DEP fish consumption advisories Before you go: check DEP's harmful algal bloom page

Quoted word for word from the advisory for the year shown; advisories may have been issued or lifted since. Not medical advice.

Special fishing regulations (2026 Fishing Summary)

No lake-specific program in PFBC's special-regulation data (Mar 2026). Commonwealth inland waters rules apply (2026 Fishing Summary, p. 10).

Summarized. The current Pennsylvania Fishing Summary, 58 Pa. Code and posted signs govern.

Habitat plan and ice-fishing list

On PFBC's ice-fishing destination list (retrieved Oct 4, 2026). Species PFBC lists for ice fishing here: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, panfish, Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish.

This site has no ice reports; conditions change daily; never assume ice is safe.

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Questions about Youghiogheny River Lake

Can you eat fish from Youghiogheny River Lake?

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 Youghiogheny River Lake?

PFBC's March 2021 survey recorded: Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Channel Catfish, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, White Sucker. Surveys record what biologists caught with their gear on those days, not everything in the lake.


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Sources for this page: PFBC Lakes_Point (Oct 4, 2026); PFBC biologist reports (area pages, Oct 4, 2026); PFBC adult trout schedule (as published Oct 4, 2026); DEP/PFBC fish consumption advisory (2026 list, updated Feb 27, 2026); PFBC special-regulation data (Mar 2026); 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary. All sources

Last data import Oct 5, 2026