Alternate A3 · Northwest
Kahle Lake
Venango and Clarion counties · Northwest region · 251 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 251 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
Kahle Lake -Clarion Access
Ramp · paved ramp, pier
41.23202, -79.64707 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Kahle Lake -Venango Access
Ramp · paved ramp, pier
41.23679, -79.65078 (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
PFBC's access data dated 27 Aug 2026 marks Kahle Lake 'Temporarily lifted'. PFBC's lake page says a full drawdown for dam repairs is planned.
Access notice from the operator, published Aug 27, 2026.
About Kahle Lake
Alternate A3 is Kahle Lake, a 251-acre reservoir in Venango and Clarion counties (Northwest region). The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. Gas motors are not allowed; you share the water only with electric-motor boats, so it counts as Quiet Water. (Boat rules as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake.) We list two put-ins, including Kahle Lake -Clarion Access and Kahle Lake -Venango Access. Kahle Lake -Clarion Access has a paved ramp, a pier 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. It is an alternate this season because of a dated closure or drawdown notice, so read the notice box before you plan a trip. Logging it moves you toward the Northwest region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 53 miles from Youngstown. 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 Kahle Lake
Where do I put in at Kahle Lake?
Kahle Lake has two listed put-ins: Kahle Lake -Clarion Access, Kahle Lake -Venango Access. Kahle Lake -Clarion Access is at 41.23202, -79.64707 with paved ramp, pier; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Kahle 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 Kahle 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 Kahle Lake?
251 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Is there a notice for Kahle Lake?
PFBC's access data dated 27 Aug 2026 marks Kahle Lake 'Temporarily lifted'. PFBC's lake page says a full drawdown for dam repairs is planned. Source: the operator, published Aug 27, 2026.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Access notice source — checked Aug 27, 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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