Fishing and Paddling within 1 Hour of Pittsburgh

You don’t have to travel far from Pittsburgh to find great fishing and paddling locations that also offer other activities to super-charge your experience. Fish-packed waters and glistening water trails cozy alongside great hiking and biking trails. Here are ideas to help pack your day with fun within an hour’s drive of Pittsburgh.

Moraine State Park

Moraine State Park in Butler County offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors, including hiking, biking, fishing and boating. The jewel of the park is Lake Arthur, which sports 42 miles of shoreline.

Fishing, fishing and more fishing …

Lake Arthur is great habitat for fish to thrive. Not that it really matters because let’s face it, a catch is a catch no matter what it is, but Arthur boasts many species including Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Striped Bass, hybrid Striped Bass, Walleye, and panfish.   

Hiking and biking and more …

When you take your last cast, don’t call it a day. Moraine offers some great hiking/biking trails. The 7-mile paved Multi-use Trail from the bike rental (rent or bring your own bike) to Davis Hollow Marina is popular. If that’s a little much, try an easy 1.5-mile hike on the Five Points Trail. Check out the other great trails ranging 3-14 miles in length. All trails are open to hiking, and some to biking, mountain biking and even horseback riding.  

Paddling adds to the fun

Paddlers aren’t left out of the fun and can pair their journeys with fishing, biking or hiking. Or why not go for the quadfecta and enjoy all four activities? A 6-mile paddle loop around the lake will make for an enjoyable tour of the scenery around the lake. The flat water is great for testing your paddleboarding skills. The park also rents kayaks and canoes.     

If you still want more, the park has an 18-hole disc golf course, a beach and camping sites. Mix and match activities for your special style of fun and adventure.

Partially adapted from “Moraine State Park” by Charles Cantella, published in the November/December 2022 issue of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine.

North Park Lake 

If you go to fish, you won’t be disappointed. North Park Lake draws crowds who fish for Largemouth Bass, catfish, Bluegills, White Crappies and trout. Shore fishing is easy and abundant. The park that surrounds the lake has much more to offer. 

Satisfy your curiosity about paddling

The pros of Pittsburgh for all things paddling, Venture Outdoors, offer rental kayaks, paddleboards and canoes. The open, flat waters of the lake invite you for your first or next adventure propelling yourself with a paddle. VO will set you up with the right paddling choice.  

From paddling to pedestrian 

Lake Loop Trail 

Back on land, the fun doesn’t stop for you outdoor lovers. North Park Lake is surrounded by an abundance of great hiking trails. The Lake Shore Loop, which circles the lake, promises five miles of hiking and observing lake habitat beauty. Each season offers new birds and animals to enjoy. If you are lucky, you may see a Bald Eagle or a beaver along the way.  

White Trail 

At half the distance of Lake Loop, White Trail may be more your speed after a full day of fishing and paddling. Enjoy some scenery away from the lake, too.  

Partially adapted from “North Park Lake” by Bob Frye, published in the March/April 2023 issue of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine.