Bedford County, PA · Lake
Shawnee State Park
Shawnee State Park offers public shoreline and pier access on a freshwater lake in Bedford County. Common targets include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and chain pickerel.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish & Chain Pickerel — tied at the top (23/100)
5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Shawnee State Park.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:04 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:38 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 6:07 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:24 PM | High | 1.2 ft |
Species at Shawnee State Park
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 6
12" minimum, 6/day (combined with smallmouth). Catch-and-release only mid-Apr–mid-Jun spawning period.
Source: Pennsylvania regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Skip the Smallmouth Bass trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 6
12" minimum, 6/day (combined with largemouth). Catch-and-release only mid-Apr–mid-Jun spawning period.
Source: Pennsylvania regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 9"
- Daily creel
- 20
9" minimum, 20/day (Panfish Enhancement waters may differ).
Source: Pennsylvania regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Channel Catfish Check local Channel Catfish regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 23/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Channel Catfish in PA on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
No regulations on file for Pennsylvania / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#1 Chain Pickerel Check local Chain Pickerel regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 23/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Chain Pickerel in PA on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Esox niger — Native toothy predator of mill ponds, blackwater rivers, and grassy shorelines — especially common on the Eastern Shore. Hits spinners, spoons, and minnow plugs aggressively. Cold-weather fishery when bass have shut down.
Prefers. Water 45–80°F (ideal 60°F) · either tide · depth 3–15 ft.
No regulations on file for Pennsylvania / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Pennsylvania
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Shawnee State Park: PA Fish & Boat Commission fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Shawnee State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Shawnee State Park you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Shawnee State Park?
Shawnee State Park is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Shawnee State Park?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Shawnee State Park against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Shawnee State Park have?
Shawnee State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Shawnee State Park?
state agency regulations apply at Shawnee State Park. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Shawnee State Park tidal water?
Yes. Shawnee State Park sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.