#11 of the LakePA 100 · Northwest
Tionesta Lake
Forest County · Northwest region · 570 acres
Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 570 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map
- Boat traffic
- Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Corps of Engineers 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
Nebraska access area
Ramp · paved ramp
41.47102, -79.38282 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Tionesta Dam access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
41.47832, -79.43456 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 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 Corps of Engineers lake page before you go.
About Tionesta Lake
Tionesta Lake holds spot 11 on the LakePA 100. It is a 570-acre reservoir in Forest County, part of the Northwest region. That acreage is the figure given by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map. There is no motor limit, so expect powerboats and their wakes. That rule is as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page. There are two put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Nebraska access area and Tionesta Dam access area. Nebraska access area has a paved ramp and parking listed as 10 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. Logging it moves you toward the Northwest region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 55 miles from Erie to the nearest put-in. 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 Tionesta Lake
Where do I put in at Tionesta Lake?
Tionesta Lake has two listed put-ins: Nebraska access area, Tionesta Dam access area. Nebraska access area is at 41.47102, -79.38282 with paved ramp; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Tionesta Lake?
Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Tionesta 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 Tionesta Lake?
570 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map.
Sources
- PFBC PA Lakes map (lake layer) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Tionesta Dam, PA00110) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.27 — 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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