Linesville Spillway

Attraction Info:

Location: 12318 Hartstown Rd, Linesville, PA 16424, see the second map below for details.

Parking: Plenty of parking in two lots, one on either side of Hartstown Road.

What to see: The main attraction is feeding the carp bread near the spillway, but there are a few other interesting things to see in the area including the Linesville Fish Hatchery, and the Spillway Trail.

Directions on PCs: Locate the Google map below the search box on the right-hand side of this webpage. Click “Get Directions” on the map pin details.

Directions on Tablets and Mobile Phones: Locate the Google map near the bottom of this page, just below the search box. Click “Get Directions” on the map pin details.

In the northeast corner of Pymatuning lake, there is a spillway that separates the lake into two areas, the smaller of which is the Fish Sanctuary. The water flows out of the sanctuary into the larger lake, and at this point, the fish congregate on both sides of the spillway to collect bread thrown by visitors. I know, it sounds pretty lame in theory, but you have to see it in person. Bring a few loaves of bread too!

Geese also frequent the spillway, usually on the sanctuary side, and are quick to snatch bread thrown to the carp.

The practice of feeding the fish is so prevalent that the bread can be purchased at a nearby concession building, but I suggest stopping on your way in case the stand sells out for the day.

The spillway consists of a half-circle arch laid on its side with the water on the sanctuary side being a foot or higher than the rest of the lake. Fish will occasionally get swept over the spillway, and every once in a while, a lucky fish will successfully leap over the spillway, and swim fast enough to break free from the flowing water back to the sanctuary. Many will try the leap over, but few attempts are successful.

Video of Carp eating Bread:

This is one place you have to see to believe!