Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Fishing regulations are set by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required to fish on the Allegheny National Forest. Seasons vary according to species. Consult PA State Fishing Regulations.
Stop the movement of invasive species that can hurt aquatic ecosystems by not releasing unused bait and cleaning off trailers and boats of all aquatic vegetation.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Buzzard Swamp has 15 man-made ponds available for bass fishing. The nearest pond to a trailhead is a one-mile hike in.
Twin Lakes has fishing available on a 10-acre dam impoundment to Hoffman Run, a heavily stocked trout stream. An accessible fishing pier is available.
Allegheny Reservoir is 7,647-acres with a normal summer pool level of 27 miles long; 14 miles in Pennsylvania and 13 miles in New York; with 91 miles of shoreline.
Fish species found in the Reservoir include smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, channel catfish and some brown trout.
Reservoir Accesses
- Both Elijah Run and Webbs Ferry have paved trails with benches along them to accessible fishing piers.
- Kiasutha and Willow Bay both have concrete boat launches with courtesy docks.
- Ropers Hollow is not recommended for vehicles towing boats longer than 16 feet.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is available on the Allegheny Reservoir during winter months. The solitude and quiet out on the ice on a clear winter's day is inspiring, and the fish can be plentiful.
You do have to be prepared. Check ice thickness before venturing on to the ice. Carry 'ice picks' to be able to climb out in case you go through the ice, and a length of rope for rescues. Bring extra clothing in waterproof bags for a wet person to change into. Remember that cell phone service is spotty and you cannot count on quick access to emergency services.
For more tips on winter/ice fishing, visit the PA Fish and Boat Commission website.
Access on to the reservoir for ice fishing is from the sites listed below.
River and Stream Fishing
The Allegheny has over 700-miles of streams and over 100-miles of river offering outstanding fishing opportunities in the northwest corner of Pennyslvania. Many of the outstanding streams and creeks are not listed in this section as they don't have any developed recreation sites associated with them.
Creeks by name include Logans Run, Tionesta Creek, Hickory Creek, Kinzua Creek, Brokenstraw Creek, and East Hickory Creek.
Allegheny Reservoir has stream fishing available at Morrison Run, which feeds into the reservoir.
Both the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers have multiple access points. The Clarion has trophy brown trout and smallmouth bass fishing. The Allegheny is a warmwater fishery with smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge.
Brush Hollow Trail provides access to Big Mill Creek and several of its tributaries.
Trout fishing is available in Millstone Creek, which can be accessed at Loleta Recreation Area.
Along the Twin Lakes Hiking Trail fisherman can access Wolf Run, Tionesta Creek and Crane Run for trout fishing.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed on National Forest lands with appropriate state hunting licenses. Seasons and bag limits are determined by the PA Game Commission, please visit their website for more information or download the PA Hunting and Trapping Digest.
Interactive Hunting Map
Open Roads
- Bradford District Hunter Roads
- Marienville District Hunter Roads
- Please note that only the main roads and listed spur roads are open. Side roads are closed to vehicle traffic. Roads may be closed at any time due to weather, unsafe conditions, or to protect resources.
- The ANF’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) contains current road policy. MVUM maps are available on the web under the Maps and Guides section.
- Non-motorized use, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding, is always permitted on closed roads. Off-highway vehicle (ATVs, motorcycles) use is not permitted off of the designated ATV trail system at any time.
- For more information, please contact one of our offices.
General Information
- No discharging a firearm in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation area, building or occupied area.
- No discharging a firearm across or on a forest development road, body of water contiguous to a road or where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage.
- Exception: when lawfully engaged in waterfowl hunting you may shoot over a body of water contiguous to a road.
- No posting NFS lands as private property and/or “reserving” a hunting location.
Raised Platforms, Stands, and Ground Blinds
- Allowed for hunting.
- Must be portable and temporary. No permanent structures are allowed.
- Are not permitted until two weeks before the opening of the archery deer season, and they must be removed no later than two weeks after the close of the flintlock and late archery deer season.
- Must be clearly identified with the owner’s name, address and phone number or with a PA Game Commission CID number or a PA Game Commission tree stand number.
- Portable ground blinds may remain after each day's hunt but must be removed within the time constraints noted above.
- Fasteners for portable ground blinds cannot penetrate the bark of a tree.
- Blinds can be made of dead, natural materials and/or can have netting, cloth or plastic added to them. The material cannot be permanently attached to the blind and must be removed each day.
- Natural materials must be scattered at the close of the season or when the blind is abandoned.
- Constructed blinds must be removed at the end of the season.
- Trail Cameras: Cameras and other game surveillance equipment must be clearly identified with the owner's name, address and phone number or PA Game Commission CID number/PA Game Commission tree stand number.
Trapping
Allowed with appropriate permits and licenses available through the PA Game Commission.
Hunting Licenses and DMAP Permits
For deer hunting license and Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permit sale dates and information please go to Antlerless Deer Licenses.
How it Works:
Please see the PA Hunting and Trapping Digest for more information.
- Hunters on DMAP properties may hunt antlerless deer in any deer season, using the sporting arm and/or implement allowed during that season.
- The hunter must be properly licensed for the season; for example, archery or muzzleloading licenses are required during those seasons.
Where to Purchase Licenses:
Hunters can purchase up to two DMAP permits per DMAP unit.
A coupon is not needed to purchase a permit for DMAP units on the ANF or KQDC.
Unit and Permit Information:
There are three KQDC DMAP units and nine additional DMAP units outside of KQDC available for the 2022 - 2023 season. Maps are available online.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s DMAP Participating Properties website is regularly updated to show how many permits are available for each DMAP unit.
- Unit 135: 440 requested permits
- Unit 1981: 641 requested permits
- Unit 1996: 800 requested permits
- Unit 2211: 1235 requested permits
- Unit 2288: 1000 requested permits
- Unit 2501: 900 requested permits
- Unit 2637: 700 requested permits
- Unit 2824: 600 requested permits
- Unit 3373: 650 requested permits
- Unit 3593: 868 requested permits
- Unit 4102: 800 requested permits
- Unit 4820: 250 requested permits
Recreational and Target Shooting
The Forest does not have any designated target shooting areas. Please follow the rules and guidelines below to ensure that you safely engage in target shooting and do not endanger any other forest users.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (title 36), recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands under these conditions:
- You are at least 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
- You are not shooting across or on a National Forest System Road or an adjacent body of water except for those lawfully engaged in waterfowl hunting.
- You are not shooting into or within a cave.
- You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person, property or resource is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
- You are not firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.
Search for Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Opportunities
Buckaloons Recreation Area
Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Viewing and Hiking Area
Clarion River Campsites
Clarion Wild and Scenic River
Dewdrop Campground
Farnsworth Cabin
Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground
Hooks Brook Boat Access Campground
Hopewell Boat Access Campground
Irwin Run Canoe Launch