Neshannock Creek is a 25.65 mile long tributary of Shenango River. It forms at the confluence of Cool Spring and Otter Creek in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. From there, it flows south to Lawrence County. It is fed by numerous tributaries, most notably Beaver Run, Pine Run, and Mill Run.

At Neshannock Creek, you will find stocked rainbow and brown trout. The Creek boasts a beautiful waterfall and runs through Volant, Pennsylvania. There is a 2.7 mile Delayed Harvest Section. This portion of Neshannock Creek is one of twenty-two streams designated as a Keystone Select Water in the state of Pennsylvania. Keystone Select Waters receive special stockings of larger, older trout.The Creek also has impressive aquatic insect hatches.

Fishing on this stream is open all year, but there are special regulations depending on when you choose to visit. The trout at Neshannock Creek aren’t particularly picky about what they eat, but you should still check out our hatch chart before your fishing trip to make sure you are properly equipped.

Nestled along Lawrence County’s treasured Neshannock Creek, you will find us in the small town of Volant, Pennsylvania off State Route 208. The fly shop has been in operation for over 30 years providing fly fishermen and women with fly fishing products and services. This portion of Neshannock Creek is one of twenty-two streams designated as a Keystone Select Water in the state of Pennsylvania. Keystone Select Waters, which are also specially regulated as delayed harvest waters, receive special stockings of larger, older trout. We also do several private stockings here. The small town of Volant is a destination of its own with Amish inspired shops, antique stores, eateries, and other specialty stores.

Stream Reports: https://ncflyshop.com/pages/st...

The most popular spot to fish is the Shenango River Lake. The 3,500 acre man made lake is home to one of the best hybrid stripped bass, crappy and white bass fishing areas in the state.

Hybrid stripers are a hatchery cross between purebred striped bass and white bass. The resulting fish are generally sterile and unable to reproduce, so stocking of hybrid fingerlings is the only way to maintain a population in a lake or river.

The Shenango River lake is one of only a few where they offer the hard fighter, drag pulling hybrbed strippers that are averaging in the mid-double digit weights. During the summer, white bass (ranging in size from 10 to 14 inches) roam the open water in packs chasing schools of gizzard shad. It’s the same thing that larger hybrid stripers do.

For insight on the fishing see the 2010 Biologist Report here: https://pfbc.pa.gov/images/rep...

There are a number of spots on the river to park and fish but most prefer paddling this section.

The Shenango River flows southward from the Shenango Reservoir and joins the Mahoning River in New Castle to form the Beaver
River. Offering class I waters suitable for beginner paddlers; motorized craft may only be able to navigate select parts of the
river.
1. State Game Lands #150 Canoe/Kayak Put-In (PA Game
Commission), Shenango Street, Pulaski Township
2. McQuiston Boat Launch (Lawrence County), Nashua Road,
Pulaski Township
3. Millennium Access Boat Launch (Lawrence County), King
Chapel Road, Mahoning Township

The Beaver River flows south from the City of New Castle into Beaver County and of the river. Rapids during high water conditions are located at a railroad bridge in Wampum (known as Irish Ripple).

6. Bevington Boat Launch (Lawrence County), River Road, Wayne Township

The Mahoning River flows southeast from Ohio before joining the Shenango River to form the Beaver River and offers class I waters, suitable for beginner paddlers; motorized craft may only be able to navigate select parts of the river. The Stavich Bicycle Trail runs along the Mahoning River, offering an opportunity to peddlepaddle.

4. McKinney/Russell Boat Access Area (Lawrence County), Covert

Road, Mahoning Township

5. Beyond Corporation LLC Boat Access Area (Lawrence County),

Hillsville Road, Mahoning Township

Slippery Rock Creek is a 50 mile tributary of Connoquenessing Creek in Northwest Pennsylvania. Its source is found in Hilliards in Butler County and joins Connoquenessing in Ellwood City.

The Creek flows through McConnells Mill State Park. It is fed by many tributaries, with the most notable being Seaton Creek, Blacks Creek, and Hell Run. If you are feeling extra adventurous, Hell Run has Class A Waters with an excellent population of wild brown trout. Access to Hell Run, however, is difficult. It requires following the trails found near the parking area on Shaffer Road or hiking from the bridge on Mountville Road. This is a very strenuous hike, make sure you are in good shape before you attempt it!

Slippery Rock Creek is very popular with paddlers and white water rafting. The Creek is known for early season trout fishing and its smallmouth bass population, with bass here ranging from 9 to 16 inches.

For ease of approach, it is recommended that you use a canoe or kayak, as road access is limited. Good launching areas include the public access points on Studebaker Road and Stoughton Road. You can pull out at the bridge on Old Butler Road near Rose Point Park.

The Creek widens downstream from the gorge, and is about 80 to 100 feet wide in places. You’ll find warm water species here like smallmouth bass, musky and walleye.

Three areas of the stream are stocked with trout. The 15 mile long section from Slippery Rock Road to the property line of Heinz Camp has one preseason stocking and two inseason stockings. The half-mile long section from Heinz Camp to the area below the State Route 2022 Bridge is Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only.

Slippery Rock Creek runs from Butler County southwest through McConnell’s Mill State Park to the confluence with the
Connoquenessing Creek. Classified as a class II to IV river, depending on the water level, prime canoe/kayak seasons on the
creek are from November to January and from May to early July and is recommended for experienced paddlers only due to fast
water. Note: there is a dam at the Old Mill that requires portage. Boaters must stay at least 50 feet downstream of the boil at the
base of the dam. Rose Point Park is a privately-owned campground that offers shuttle service to paddlers.
10. Rose Point Park Canoe/Kayak Put-In (Rose Point Park) Old
Route 422, Slippery Rock Township.
11. Alpha Pass Access (McConnells Mill State Park) McConnells
Mill Road, Slippery Rock Township
12. McConnells Mill Access (McConnells Mill State Park)
McConnells Mill Road, Slippery Rock Township
13. Eckert Bridge Access (McConnells Mill State Park) Breakneck
Bridge Road, Slippery Rock Township
14. Harris Bridge Access (McConnells Mill State Park) Mountville
Road, Slippery Rock Township

Connoquenessing Creek in Lawrence County is for experienced paddlers only, as it drops 110 feet in elevation over its last six

miles and includes difficult rapids. During high water, these rapids become hazardous, reaching class IV status. 

15. Ellwood City Access Canoe/Kayak Put-in (Ellwood City

Borough) Wampum Avenue, Ellwood City Borough

16. Ellport Borough Canoe/Kayak Put-In (Ellport Borough)

Rodger Memorial Park, Ellport Borough

17. Rock Point Boat Launch (Wild Waters Conservancy) Rock

Point Road, Wayne Township