Linesville Spillway offers visitors a strange spectacle: ducks walk on fish! Located near a bridge in the Pymatuning Reservoir in Crawford County, northwestern Pennsylvania, this place isn't widely advertised, but it still draws over 300 000 visitors every year. This spot is the second most exciting tourist destination in all of Pennsylvania.
A famous spillway was built in the 1930s along with a dam and a reservoir to regulate the flow of the Shenango and Beaver rivers. It resulted in increased flow of fish food like larvae into the area. At the same time, people started to gather here to look at the fish and feed it. The spot also attracts many birds like Mallard ducks and Canada geese that come here in crowds.
Huge crowds of fish come to feed on bread thrown by visitors and fight for each little piece of it. The spillway is best visible from the bridge across the reservoir. The town of Linesville has also grown a lot due to this attraction. Once the government wanted to close this spot, but local people protested against this idea and saved the attraction, keeping it open for further visitors. It's best to feed the fish in spring, summer, or fall. In winter, fish may not be present because of icy and cold weather.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit the Linesville Spillway in Pennsylvania?
The best time to experience the Linesville Spillway in Pennsylvania is during March through November when the fish food flow is higher, which results in a greater number of fish. During winter, the fish may not be present due to the colder and icy weather. Therefore, the ideal time of the year to enjoy the fish feeding and the views is during the spring, summer, and fall. Show more
Where is the Linesville Spillway located in Pennsylvania?
In Northwestern Pennsylvania's Crawford County, the Linesville Spillway is located near the Pymatuning Reservoir, which features a dam and a reservoir. The area surrounding the reservoir has been developed due to its popularity as a tourist attraction. The reservoir can be viewed from the bridge crossing it. Show more
What is the history behind the Linesville Spillway and how did it become a tourist attraction?
The Linesville Spillway was constructed along with a dam and reservoir in the 1930s to handle the water flow of the Shenango and Beaver rivers. The surge of fish food in the reservoir, such as larvae, resulted in visitors coming here to feed the fish. As the number of visitors grew, it became an increasingly popular destination. The government had planned to close Linesville Spillway, but the locals' protest kept it open for future guests. Show more
What kind of fish can be found in the Pymatuning Reservoir in Crawford County?
Crawford County's Pymatuning Reservoir is abundant with various fish species, such as northern pike, carp, perch, sunfish, crappie, walleye, and others. Visitors commonly witness carp congregating in vast crowds, rising to the surface to eat the fish food from the visitors. The fish food flow stimulates a natural environment that attracts birds like ducks and geese alongside fish. Show more
Why is the Linesville Spillway not visible during winter, and what happens to the fish during that time?
During winter, the Linesville Spillway is not visible due to the fish moving to deeper and warmer water to survive. In addition, the Pymatuning Reservoir may freeze over during the winter, making it challenging for the fish to survive. Therefore, visitors will not see any fish or birds during this time of the year, but they can discover an icy and snowy landscape if they visit Linesville Spillway. Show more
