The huge Pymatuning State Park is one of the largest state parks in the Commonwealth. The also huge 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the Commonwealth. More people visit Pymatuning than almost any other state park in Pennsylvania. Beautiful vistas can be enjoyed anywhere along the lake, with some of the more unique sights to include the dam, the Linesville “spillway,’’ the fish hatchery, the two causeways across the lake and the Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Learning Center. The spillway is probably the most popular location with the fish being very plentiful. Also, Pymatuning is the only known place in Pennsylvania where bald eagles have nested continuously.

Mantua Creek is a slow moving tidal tributary of the Delaware River that offers paddlers some nice wilderness scenery in an otherwise urban area. Floating the creek also provides good birdwatching opportunity. Paddling conditions are best when launching during high tide. The one-way trip ends at the Riverwinds access site which is located on the Delaware River so watch out for large boat traffic when paddling the last part of the trip on the large river channel.

This portion of the large Lake Erie is located between Presque Isle and the city of Erie, Pennsylvania. Beginning at the parking of the bike trail around the isle, this route explores a protected bay area and the activity of boats and birds and wildlife.

Raystown LakeRaystown Lake is a 8,000 acre curvy lake with 12 public access points, picnic areas, beaches, boat launches, campgrounds, trails, hunting, fishing, and marina. The lake is the largest lake that is entirely within Pennsylvania. Raystown Lake is gorgeous with the hills on the shores of the winding lake being blanketed right down to the water by the trees. Fishing is very popular at the lake and common species found here include Catfish, Carp, Bass (Striped, Largemouth, Rock, and Smallmouth), Walleye, Muskellunge, Trout (Lake, Brown, and Rainbow), Atlantic Salmon, Perch, Smelt, Crappy, and Blue Gill.

Nockamixon State Park is located in the rolling hills of scenic Bucks County. The 1,450-acre lake Nockamixon within the park is fed by Tohickon Creek, Three Mile Run and Haycock Run. The lake is a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and a destination for boaters and anglers. Other activities at the park and lake include picnicking, visiting the pool, hiking, biking, fishing and boating.

Allegheny Reservoir (aka Kinzu Reservoir) is a large man-made lake located on the New York/Pennsylvania border and provides miles of undeveloped shoreline for paddlers to explore. There is public access at Allegheny State Park on the northern end of the Lake in New York. Motorboating is popular on the large lake but there are lots of side channels and coves for paddlers to find some protection.

Chautauqua Lake is located in the far western corner of New York state. It is a large lake that required to be split up into two separate paddling routes. This particular route covers the southern portion of this body of water which has several bays to paddle within. Development lines much of the shoreline, and while paddling, one will pass by such towns as Lakewood, Celoron, and Greenhurst. Though much developed, enough natural scenery fills the gaps between the homes and towns that line the banks to help create balance.

A man-made lake spanning Pennsylvania and New York, the Allegheny Reservoir is located along the Allegheny River at the Kinzua Dam. The reservoir is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania and Allegany State Park and the Seneca Nation's Allegany Reservation in New York. Known to offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the eastern United States, the reservoir is great for muskie and walleye. All personal watercraft operators and passengers must wear a life jacket.

Chautauqua Lake is located in the far western corner of New York state. It is a large lake that required to be split up into two separate paddling routes. This particular route covers the northern portion of this body of water which has several bays to paddle within. Development lines much of the shoreline, and while paddling, one will pass by such towns as Chautauqua, Maple Springs, and Mayville. Though much developed, enough natural scenery fills the gaps between the homes and towns that line the banks to help create balance. Be cautious of ferry traffic.

This paddle is near the city of Chester and explores the Delaware River to Little Tinicum Island and Chester Island. Little Tinicum Island is the largest of the two and consists of a variety of vegetation, including scrub forest, wild rice, water hemp ragweed and Walter’s barnyard grass. It is ringed by tidal freshwater wetlands that are perfect for exploring.