LOYALHANNA

overview

40.23482 N Lat, -79.22871 W Long The Loyalhanna Creek is one of the larger streams in the Laurel Highlands averaging 30 to 40 feet wide. It consists of moderate pools, slower flowing rocky areas and scattered riffles. The creek is a PFBC stocked stream offering almost ten miles of easy access between the boroughs of Ligonier and Latrobe. From Peters Road near Ruthie’s Diner in Ligonier to Monastery Road in Latrobe, the Loyalhanna is easily accessed from US Rt. 30.

The Loyalhanna traverses from its headwaters near Donegal to Saltsburg where it joins the Conemaugh River to form the Kiskiminetas River.  The stretch from Kingston Dam upstream to the headwaters is a coldwater fishery.  Native browns, rainbows and brooks may be found from the tributaries and headwaters.  Anglers are encouraged to handle the wild trout gently and release them unharmed.      

Stream Access

Some of the best fishing can be found between Kingston Dam, at the intersection of PA Rt. 217 and US Rt. 30 (40.29191 N Lat, -79.33602 W Long) upstream to the PA Rt. 711 bridge in Ligonier.  Kingston Dam was built in 1918 and is classified as a C-4 structure for flood control by the PA Department of Environmental Protection.  From Kingston Dam upstream to the area known as Longbridge, the Loyalhanna passes through the Chestnut Ridge.  This area is known as “The Loyalhanna Gorge” and contains many pull-offs with access to the stream.  US Rt. 30 is a divided highway through “The Gorge” with a midpoint causeway crossing the stream in the area known as Sleepy Hollow (40.28586 N Lat, -79.31771 W Long). 

At PA Rt. 711 in Ligonier downstream to Two Mile Run Road (~1.5 miles), the Loyalhanna is designated Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) and Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water.  As such, this stretch receives 250 stocked trout per mile in the range of 14 to 20 inches in addition to the normal stockings.  Parking is available at either end and directly across from the Giant Eagle Market (40.24633 N Lat, -79.24627 W Long).  Because of its special designation, this stretch also receives a stocking in the fall.  The flow drops in the summer and the water warms.  But because the stream has been groomed with low head jack dams, diversion vanes and plunge pools, some trout hold over in the deeper water.  The availability of trout year-round makes the traffic noise a little more tolerable.

All trout caught in the DHALO section must be released between Labor Day and June fourteenth.  Between June 15th and Labor Day, three trout per day may be harvested but must be a minimum of nine inches.  See the Pa Fish & Boat Commission web site for additional rules and regulations.  www.fishandboat.com.