South of Linesville on Hartstown Road is the Linesville Fish Hatchery, a fun place for people of all ages to learn about fish cultivation and get up close and personal with the fish in the observation tank. Mounted on the walls in the visitors' center are some trophy game fish—including state record setters—and posters identifying various families of aquatic creatures. Visitors to the Center are treated to a panoramic view of the propagation waters at Pymatuning Lake's northeast arm.
The Linesville Fish Culture Station, operated by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, overlooks the beautiful 2,500-acre Pymatuning Reservoir Sanctuary. Fish from the sanctuary are used as broodstock and are protected from fishing. This operation supplies about 5 million adult trout, salmon, and approximately 90 million walleye fry and fingerlings yearly.
Some of the species grown in Linesville include:
- Northern pike
- Steelhead
- Coho salmon
- Walleye
- Paddlefish
- Largemouth bass
- Muskellunge
- Brown trout
- Minnows
The center also features videos, mounted trophies, and an extensive collection of excellent literature. Tours are available from March to September.
The kind of fish you see depends on when you visit. Spring is when the walleyes and muskellunge are spawned, so there are many activities to witness in the fish culture cycle, from egg collection and fertilization to incubation to fry growth.
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