Elk State Park is one of the best kept secrets for outdoor recreation destinations in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors Region. Located in the mountains of Elk County, the park encompasses approximately 3,192 acres and surrounds the beautiful 1,160-acre East Branch Lake. The park offers visitors a combination of rich history, excellent fishing and boating, and year-round recreational opportunities.
The history of Elk State Park is closely tied to flood control efforts in north-central Pennsylvania. Construction of the East Branch Lake flood-control project began in 1948 under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Development of the state park was completed in 1963, and in 1970 the park expanded to its current size when additional forest land was transferred to the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks.
Fishing is one of the park’s most popular activities. East Branch Lake and nearby streams support both warm-water and cold-water fisheries. Anglers can catch walleye, smallmouth bass, musky, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and lake trout. Several streams are stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, while some smaller waterways contain native brook trout populations. The tailwaters of lake offer year-round fly fishing for trout in Clarion River.
Fishing, East Branch Lake, Elk County
In addition to fishing, visitors enjoy boating, waterskiing, kayaking, picnicking, wildlife watching, hunting, hiking, and photography. The lake allows unlimited-horsepower boating, making it a favorite destination for both recreational boaters and anglers. The surrounding forests provide opportunities to observe whitetail deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and eagles. The famous Pennsylvania elk herd that inhabits the region, are not found in the park, but are just a short drive across the county to Benezette.
Whether exploring the lake, enjoying a day of fishing, or taking in the scenic mountain views, Elk State Park offers a memorable outdoor experience and remains one of the natural treasures of Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors Region.
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