#16 of the LakePA 100 · North Central
East Branch Clarion River Lake
Elk County · North Central region · 1,160 acres
Big Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 1,160 acres as listed by the state park's boating page
- Boat traffic
- Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.24, 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
Instanter Boat Launch
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
41.60608, -78.55970 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 20 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
East Branch Boat Launch
Ramp · paved ramp
41.56366, -78.59381 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 20 spaces or more
Run by Elk State Park (Pennsylvania DCNR). Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check Elk State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About East Branch Clarion River Lake
Number 16 on the LakePA 100 is East Branch Clarion River Lake, a 1,160-acre reservoir in Elk County (North Central region). You may also see it called East Branch Lake. The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. It counts toward the Big Water tier, which means wind and long crossings can matter on a paddle here. Motors are not limited by size here, so expect powerboats and wakes. (Boat rules as listed by the county boating rules in 58 Pa. Code § 111.24.) There are two put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Instanter Boat Launch and East Branch Boat Launch. Instanter Boat Launch has a paved ramp, a dock and parking listed as 20 spaces or more. Launching at a Fish and Boat Commission or state park site requires a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the North Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 66 miles from State College. Check the operator's notices, the weather and posted signs before you launch.
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 East Branch Clarion River Lake
Where do I put in at East Branch Clarion River Lake?
East Branch Clarion River Lake has two listed put-ins: Instanter Boat Launch, East Branch Boat Launch. Instanter Boat Launch is at 41.60608, -78.55970 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 20 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.24, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at East Branch Clarion River Lake?
Yes, at the state park 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 East Branch Clarion River Lake?
1,160 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.24 (Elk County) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (East Branch Dam, PA00104) — 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.
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