Best Fishing and Boating in PA State Parks Poe Valley by Kelly Houghton State Park photo-courtesy of DCNR Lying in a rugged mountain valley Today, those roads carry visitors to exist within the state park, ranging near the middle of the state is Poe Val- and from the many recreational ac- from easy to very rugged and steep. ley State Park. This nature enthusiast’s tivities available in the park’s secluded The 206-mile Mid-State Trail system paradise is located in Centre County setting. Poe Lake, known for its soli- also passes through the state park and and consists of more than 620 acres tude and peaceful surroundings, is an is popular with day hikers and back- of endless forests. Nestled in the state electric-motors-only lake, making it packers. park’s foliage is Poe Lake, a 25-acre a popular choice for those who enjoy Many of these trails also connect haven for boaters and anglers. the lake’s tranquility. Kayakers and to . The forest Named after Big Poe Creek, Poe canoeists also enjoy paddling in the offers a wide variety of recreational Valley State Park began as a Civilian pristine mountain lake’s calm waters. activities, 13 streams and fi ve Penn- Conservation Corps (CCC) project in In addition, a swimming beach and sylvania state parks within its approx- the mid-1930s, during the Great De- many shaded picnic areas, including imate 200,000 acres: Poe Valley, Poe pression. Many of the roads and the two pavilions with 100-person capac- Paddy, R.B. Winter, Reeds Gap, and dam, completed in 1937, were built by ities, are available for use. Sand Bridge. the CCC men who lived several miles Hiking is another popular activ- Even when the weather turns and upstream from the park. ity at Poe Valley. Three miles of trails winter sweeps through the valley, (article continued on page 34) www.fi sh.state.pa.us Angler & Boater • March-April 2008 31 www.fish.state.pa.us

Map courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

32 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March/April 2008 www.fi sh.state.pa.us www.fi sh.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March-April 2008 33 cross-country skiers and those oper- two to three times a year ating snowmobiles and four-wheelers with rainbow, golden rain- profi t from Poe Valley’s minimally bow, and brown trout. Trout plowed roads. Although there is no stocked each year include specifi c area cleared for ice skating, it’s prime holdovers from sea- also a popular wintertime activity. son to season. Regardless of how you choose to This year’s season begins spend your days at the state park, a on April 12. However, after wooded campground is heavily used the fi rst few weeks of the sea- in all seasons. Specifi c seasons son, crowds will more than typically draw large numbers, while likely thin, and May will be- boaters and fi shermen crowd the camp come the month delivering Sci-Fi in the Real World in the warmer months. Not only is a the Keystone State’s best trout launch on site, but boaters and anglers fi shing. Early in the sea- also benefi t from having the option to son, trout fi shermen spread moor their vessels by the dam during around the entire perimeter their stay. The campground, which is of the lake. Then, as the wa- just below the dam breast, has some ter temperature rises, the During the summer, anglers seeking panfi sh 70 campsites, 30 of which have elec- mouth of Poe Creek, as well visit the lake and typically reel in sunfi sh, perch tricity. The campground is also in the as the deeper water along the and crappies. process of being modernized, and on northern shore, become pop- completion it will be upgraded to a ular. Water along the northern shore If you’re searching for outstanding class “A” campground. Drinking wa- reaches a depth of 15 feet, while Poe stream fi shing, Penn’s Creek and Big ter, rustic toilets and a sanitary dump Lake’s average water depth is 11 feet. Poe Creek are also a short distance station are all available. Although the most popular ap- from . Penn’s Although outdoor people are drawn proach to hook a trout is bobber Creek, located 3 miles from Poe Valley to the park for different reasons, Poe fi shing from the shoreline, the most State Park, has outstanding fl y hatches Valley is primarily recognized for its effective approach is angling by boat of green drakes with big browns, and outstanding fi shing. The park attracts because fi shermen can access the it’s a prime natural habitat for Penn- anglers in each of the four seasons. deeper areas. Anglers choosing not to sylvania trout. The lake’s most common game spe- cast their lines from shore may trailer Whether casting for a golden rain- cies include brown and rainbow trout, and launch their boats at one of the bow trout or kayaking on Poe Lake catfi sh, pickerel, sunfi sh and perch. state park’s two launches. Boat rentals along its peaceful shores, Poe Valley Anglers are successful in winter are also typically available during the State Park certainly has something for months when they ice fi sh the deeper summer at the food and boat rental every angler and boater. Poe Valley sections along the northern shore as concession, which is open from Me- may be hidden in the middle of the well as the channel outside the swim- morial Day until Labor Day. Fifteen state, but those who have discovered ming area. Panfi sh are typically pulled seasonal (April 1 to November 15) the recreation available in the park’s through the ice at this time. During mooring spaces are also available. serenity visit time and time again. the summer, anglers seeking panfi sh Although the trout fi shing at Poe Poe Valley State Park has been per- visit the lake and typically reel in sun- Valley State Park is good, anglers trav- forming renovations and upgrades fi sh, perch and crappies. The shallow eling to the park also have the advan- to park facilities since 2007. These southern shores, especially the dock tage of being near another outstand- renovations will continue throughout areas, are panfi sh hotspots. ing trout fi shery, . 2008. The construction of the sew- However, if judging by park atten- Poe Paddy, located where Big Poe age treatment plant at the northeast dance, the spring season is defi nitely Creek and Penn’s Creek meet, is only end of the park will continue into the the most popular. Spring season is four miles to the east of Poe Valley spring of 2008. However, this con- trout season and Pennsylvania trout and is widely recognized for its wild struction won’t interfere with fi shing fi shing is productive in the park. As brook and brown trout. Intense sul- or stocking, but the campground will the streams and rivers begin to warm phur, caddis and green drake hatches be closed until this project is com- in the spring, hatches become fre- in May and early June are responsible plete. Call the park offi ce or check the quent and trout are plentiful. for the world-class fl y-fi shing. In fact, DCNR web site for details if you’re Poe Lake is approved trout water, Poe Paddy is nationally recognized for planning to visit: www.dcnr.state. and the Commission stocks the lake the green drake mayfl y hatch in June. pa.us, 717-667-3622.

34 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March/April 2008 www.fi sh.state.pa.us