#2 of the LakePA 100 · Northwest
Bessemer Lake
Lawrence County · Northwest region · 28 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 28 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
Bessemer Lake access area
Ramp · paved ramp
40.97584, -80.50500 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Bessemer Lake
Bessemer Lake holds spot 2 on the LakePA 100. It is a 28-acre reservoir in Lawrence County, part of the Northwest region. The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. Under a hundred acres, it belongs to the Small Water tier. Only paddle craft and electric-motor boats may use it, so it counts as Quiet Water. (Boat rules as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake.) The one listed put-in is Bessemer Lake access area, with a paved ramp and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. At Fish and Boat Commission and state park launches your boat needs a Pennsylvania registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. Logging it moves you toward the Northwest region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 11 miles from Youngstown to the nearest put-in. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Bessemer Lake
Where do I put in at Bessemer Lake?
Bessemer Lake has one listed put-in: Bessemer Lake access area. Bessemer Lake access area is at 40.97584, -80.50500 with paved ramp; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Bessemer Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Bessemer Lake?
Yes, at the Fish and Boat Commission launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Bessemer Lake?
28 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
Share this lake
Download the lake card (1080×1350)
For your post or story. #LakePA100