Water Recreation Offered at Raystown Lake

Raystown Lake is nestled in the heart of Central Pennsylvania. The lake is located in Huntingdon County.

Huntingdon County is comprised of several small boroughs and townships, which contain small populations of people. The area is a scenic farming area. There are also many state parks and forests. It’s not unusual to see an Amish family traveling by way of horse and buggy, covered bridges, farmer’s markets and beautiful, aged architecture throughout the quaint little towns.

The lake itself is a hot spot for summertime fun in the sun. Raystown Lake is a must see vacation spot for nature lovers. You’ll be surrounded by trees, fresh air, animals and most of all… water. There are no big cities in these parts.

Raystown Lake is an 8,000-acre man-made lake owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. Raystown Lake has a lot to offer when it comes to recreation on the water.

Boating

Raystown Lake has seven boat launches along the 28-mile lake. These boat launches are: Snyder’s Run, Seven Points, Aitch, James Creek, Tatman Run, Shy Beaver, and Weaver Falls. While boating you can fish, water ski, or simply drive or float around the lake and observe all of the natural beauty. There is no horsepower limit on the lake but just be sure to observe the “no wake areas” that are normally close to the boat launch areas and swimming areas. There is a $3 fee to launch and there are season passes available.

Fishing

Lake Raystown holds three Pennsylvania fishing records. Some of the types of fish that can be found in Lake Raystown are striped bass, large mouth and small mouth bass, catfish, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, carp, wall eye, blue gill, Atlantic salmon, perch and sun fish. Fishing licenses can be purchased at local bait shops and convenience stores. There is also a charter service provided by Striper Guide Service located in McConnellstown. This charter specializes in Striped bass, but also has combination packages available. The tours are four, six or eight hours long and can hold up to 6 people. Children of all ages are welcome on the tours.

Scuba diving

Lake Raystown offers a safe and enjoyable scuba diving experience. Instruction can be obtained through local dive shops such as Scuba Escapes and Mike’s Scuba. These services offer instruction from entry level to master diver level. Classes run all year long. Lake Raystown harbors interesting cliff formations to observe, along with some old bridges left from the old town that used to be where the lake is today.

Swimming

There is much fun to be had swimming at Lake Raystown. The waves that are made by passing boats are a lot of fun while floating on a raft, and the occasional fish can be seen swimming by. Seagulls can be seen standing on buoys that outflank the swimming areas and they are often seen walking along the beaches. The swimming areas at the lake are Seven Points Recreation Area, Tatman Run, and Lake Raystown Resort. The resort also offers a water park, complete with waterslides.

Raystown Lake has so much to offer people that love the water and the outdoors.