Fisheries of the Upper Conemaugh Basin
North Branch Little Conemaugh River
Description - The North Branch of the Little Conemaugh River [2003: officially classified as "approved trout waters."-PFBC-Little Conemaugh River - North Branch;The waters listed here are open to trout harvest during the "extended season as of Dec 2002; Little Conemaugh River - North Branch] runs out of the Wilmore Dam [2003: Inseason Stocking-PFBC-Little Conemaugh River - North Branch, breast of Wilmore Dam to Sr0160 Bridge] and into the main branch of the Little Conemaugh. The stream is located off Route 160 on Evergreen Road in Wilmore, and near Route 53 above Summerhill. The stream is of medium size and contains many runs and pools. The stream is easily accessible for most of its course because of the many turn-off areas next to the stream. However, where the stream meets the dam until it hits Route 160, it is enclosed by an old iron gate fence. This is a walk-in-only area of the stream and runs about 1 1/2 miles. This section is especially worth while to cast a line in because of its seclusion. 
Fish - The North Branch contains a majority population of brown and rainbow trout with a minority population of brook trout. The stream is stocked by the Fish & Boat Commission during the season and out of season with brown and rainbow trout. The stream also is home to holdover trout from the previous stockings but does not contain numerous wild trout. The limited numbers of wild trout do not infer poor water quality. 
South Fork, Little Conemaugh River
Description - The headwaters of the South Fork of the Little Conemaugh River were approved in 1995 as an addition to the Wilderness Trout Program of the Fish & Boat Commission.[2003:Class A trout approved-PFBC-South Fork Little Conemaugh River-818E Wild Brook Trout, from headwaters downstream to Beaverdale Reservorir; 2.1 mi.] The stream flows down from high on the Allegheny Ridge through State Game Lands and land owned by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The designated section of the stream is above Beaverdale Reservoir, and can be accessed only by foot. The stream has a large population of native brook trout, ranking in the top five percent statewide in pounds of fish per acre of water. The stream also has an excellent pool-to-riffle ratio and the undisturbed watershed keeps the water clear of silt. However, typical of streams on the high ridges, it has little alkalinity for buffering capacity from acid rain. 
 Fish - The South Fork headwaters contain native, reproducing brook trout, and in large numbers. However, typical of fish that never see a hatchery, these fish rarely exceed 10 inches in length. Although the stream has lots of native brookies, as with any native, stream-bred population, it could be damaged by overfishing. Catch and release is suggested for these types of waters -- and when the lunkers here are only 8 to 10 inches long, this is obviously not the place to go in preparation for a large fish fry. 
For a list of local updated angling , visit  CONEMAUGH FISHERIES
Ben's Creek (Portage)
Description - Ben's Creek [2003: officially classified as "approved trout waters."-PFBC-Bens Creek, Bens Creek - South Fork][2003:2003 Preseason Stocking-PFBC-SOMERSET COUNTY-Confluence of North and South Forks Bens Creek to mouth]-200 meters downstream of SR 0985 Bridge at Unt to 30 meters downstream Pvt bridge off T590][2003:2003 Preseason Stocking-PFBC-SOMERSET COUNTY-T785 Brg
to mouth] near Portage can be reached from Route 53 by taking Benscreek Road to Strawberry Road, a dirt road, where the stream is then attainable. The access to the stream is limited to this small dirt road, and due to the various chained locked fences blocking access to motor vehicles, walking or the riding of quads is most opportune. The stream is very difficult to fish in some places due to the amount of mountain laurel and other plant life that interferences with casting and due to its small size. Therefore, this would not be considered a stream for the novice angler. Ben's Creek is a smaller stream capable of holding many fish. The upper portion is not stocked due to the healthy population of wild brook trout. Rattlesnakes and Copperheads inhabit the area as well as poison oak and poison ivy, so hip boots are a must especially in the spring and summer months. Ben's Creek was nominated for wilderness trout water rating in the upper section but was denied.[2003:Class A trout approved-PFBC-Bens Creek 818E  Mixed Wild Brown/Brook Trout; 2.7 mi; from headwaters downstream to the Portage Water Authority backwater][2003: PFBC-our vulnerable streams are located in the sandstone mountainous regions of Pennsylvania. Stocked trout streams vulnerable to further acidification:Somerset County,Bens Creek, S. Fk]
Fish - Ben's Creek contains brown, brook and some rainbow trout. The brook and brown trout are stocked in-season and out of season. The stream also holds some holdover trout and wild brook trout but most of the population comes from stocked fish. 
Lake Rowena
Description - Lake Rowena [2003: officially classified as "approved trout waters."-PFBC-Lake Rowena, Cambria County] is both a cold water and warm water fishery. The lake is readily accessible, located in Ebensburg off Route 22 on Lake View Road. Although the lake is not very large, boats with electric motors are permitted. The lake is not very deep - a maximum depth of about 15 feet - but holds fish all year long. The lake falls under the Fish & Boat Commission's extended trout regulations, so it is open all year long to fishing. The lake has a dock where physically challenged people can fish. Lake Rowena is a perfect lake to bring the family and kids to picnic on a fine Sunday afternoon. [2003:The waters listed here are open to trout harvest during the "extended season" as of Dec 2002: Cambria County, Lake Rowena]
Fish - Lake Rowena[2003:2003 Preseason Stocking-PFBC-Cambria County-Lake Rowena] is home to a variety of fish including but not limited to rainbow, brown and brook trout, panfish, largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass, pickerel, crappie and other species of panfish [2003: data survey-PFBC-Cambria County - 2001 - Black crappie, white crappie, brown bullhead, yellow perch]. The Fish & Boat Commission stocks the lake [2003:-PFBC-Select Trout-Stocked Lake Program-Lake Rowena, Cambria County][2003: PFBC-2001:The PFBC stocks channel catfish along with trout][2003:-PFBC-2001:Lake Rowena and Upper Twin Lake are the only impoundments in southwestern PA where white bass were collected by the PFBC], both in-season and out-of-season, with brown and rainbow trout, and some of the rainbows top 36 inches in length. 
[2003:2003 Warm/Coolwater Stocking-PFBC-Lake Rowena: smallmouth bass (adult), largemouth bass (adult), Tiger Muskellunge (fingerlings)] 
Howell's Run 
Howell's Run flows from Lake Rowena into Wilmore Dam[2003:2003 Warm/Coolwater Stocking-PFBC-Wilmore Dam; Channel Cat (fingerling)]. The stream is located off Route 22 and about 2 miles before the Ebensburg exit traveling eastbound on Route 2013. It is a smaller stream with many riffles and runs where the fish usually lie. The stream is very accessible because several bridges run over it, including Spinner Road just above Wilmore Dam. The stream is heavily stocked in its middle and lower portions while its upper section is only lightly stocked.[2003:2003 Preseason Stocking-PFBC-HowellsRn: first bridge Sr2023 downstream to Ebensburg to mouth]The stream is fairly easy for the average angler to fish because the vegetation is only moderately inhibiting. Howell's Run is stocked by the Fish & Boat Commission with brown and rainbow trout.[2003: officially classified as "approved trout waters."-Howells Run]
Noel's Creek
Noel's Creek is a smaller stream located off of Route 53 on Sportman's Road in Portage. The stream is home to four small dams which create beautiful pools and deep holes. [2003:2003 Preseason Stocking-PFBC-Cambria County, Noels Ck, T433 Bridge to mouth]These features of the stream help to hold the fish. The pools contain a substantial amount of fish mostly because of their depth and food content.[2003: officially classified as "approved trout waters."-Noels Ck] The stream is easily accessible but due to its smaller size it can sometimes be difficult to fish. Noel's Creek is stocked primarily with brown and brook trout in season. The stream also contains a few rainbows and holdover fish. In addition, it is home to some wild fish, although these are in sparse numbers. 
Laurel Run 
Laurel Run (Sidman) is located along Roberts Road and Route 160, flowing past Sidman and into the South Fork of the Little Conemaugh River just east of the access road to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. This Laurel Run is a small stream that is very accessible due to the number of bridges and turn-off points along the way. The stream's best water is located behind the Dunlo Sportman's Club in Dunlo.[2003:2003 Inseason Stocking-PFBC-Laurel Rn-T706 Bridge to mouth] Parking is available across the street from the club and the water is located in the club's interior. The members do allow non-members to fish the stream because the water is not privately owned by the club. Laurel Run is stocked by the Fish & Boat Commission and Dunlo Sportsman's Club in the section behind their clubhouse. 
Laurel Run (Tanneryville)
This Laurel Run is located directly outside the city of Johnstown off Route 403. The stream flows directly into the Conemaugh River. It is a smaller stream but flows quicker than most streams in the basin. Entrance can be gained at Laurel Run Park or anywhere along Cooper Avenue above where it branches off Route 403 near the Johnstown America Corp. building. The brook, brown and rainbow trout average 8 to 10 inches in length, but some of can grow to be much longer. All fish in the stream are stocked by the Fish & Boat Commission. 
Hinckston Run
Hinckston Run is a high-gradient stream originating in the mountainous terrain along Route 22 in Jackson Township. It flows 10.6 miles to the Johnstown neighborhood of Minersville, where it enters the mainstem of the Conemaugh River. Its course is interrupted by Hinckston Run Dam, a large reservoir owned by a subsidiary of a Johnstown steelmaking company.[2003: Hinckston was one of five reservoirs recently sold to the Cambria Somerset Authority, along with Wilmore Dam and Reservoir, South Fork Dam and impoundment, Border Dam and impoundment, and Quemahoning Dam and Reservoir in Somerset County.] A 2-mile section immediately upstream of the dam is stocked in-season by the Fish & Boat Commission.[2003:2003 Inseason Stocking-PFBC-Hinckston Run: 500m Upstream T419 bridge to Hinckston Run Reservoir backwater] The stream is small but has good cover from undercut banks, large boulders and small, swift pools. However, it is adversely impacted by the typical problem in the region - abandoned mine drainage - and when acid-snow melts in the spring in combination with the mine drainage, fish kills have been reported.[2003:officially classified as "approved trout waters."-PFBC-Cambria County: Hinckston Run] The stream is accessible by several township roads - T-419, T-739 and T- 405 - which intersect Route 271 near Vinco. Brook trout, the heartiest of the trout species, is the only sport fish on Hinckston Run because of the occasional problems with acidity.[2003: PFBC-Year 2000 Expanded Trout Fishing Opportunities-Hinckston Run]
For more information on trout stockings in your area: Please go here:  The stocking list for the whole state is provided by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
 



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