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Corps lake · Northwest region
Shenango River Lake for Hunters
A hunter’s summary of Shenango River Lake in Mercer County: rules, seasons, harvest and local services.
Photo: TheTurducken (CC BY 2.0)
Shenango River Lake: the essentials
WMU 1A covers Shenango River Lake, an Army Corps of Engineers lake project in Mercer County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District sets the rules on the ground. By size (3,449 acres) it comes in at 5th of 14 Corps lakes. Look north of Sharpsville (the nearest town we cover), around 6 miles out.
County details near Shenango River Lake
| County | Seat | 2024 residents | Square miles | WMUs | SRA county | CWD feeding ban | Head bin site | Bear harvest 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | Mercer | 108,140 | 673 | 1A | No | — | No | 11 |
From the source record (PGC Cooperative Wildlife Management Areas GIS (CWMA 415: PGC-managed hunting lands)), counties and WMUs from the PGC county and WMU layers; county facts from the Census and the 2026-27 digest; bear counts from the PGC 2024 bear release. Checked October 12, 2026.
What Shenango River Lake is hunted for
The record lists pheasants and ducks and geese.
Ring-necked pheasant
214,577 pheasants statewide in 2025, by PGC survey. 9 stockings and 1,565 pheasants are scheduled here.
Ducks and geese
Waterfowl dates depend on PGC zones drawn along highways; see the duck and goose pages. Canada goose
Species from the area record; bag limits and seasons from the PGC seasons and bag limits; harvest from PGC deer report, PGC harvest data and PGC turkey report. Checked October 12, 2026.
Shenango River Lake: rules before the first sit
Prices are the PGC 2026-27 license figures.
Rules on this ground
Public hunting on PGC-managed project lands under PGC seasons; developed recreation areas and posted areas are closed.
Game land rules
Visitors who are not hunting on State Game Lands must show orange (a hat or 250 sq in) in the two seasonal windows, Oct. 1 to Jan. 31 and April 20 to May 31.
License costs
One general license covers small game and comes with tags for an antlered deer and two turkeys (fall and spring).
Sunday and orange rules
Firearm big game and all small game seasons call for orange; archery-only, turkey and migratory bird hunts do not.
Sunday hunting now covers every season other than ducks, geese, doves and woodcock; the 2026 spring gobbler season skipped Sundays.
On the ground at Shenango River Lake
From the agency map layers and description.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stocked pheasants | 9 releases, 1,565 birds |
| CWMA | CWMA 415 · 3,449 ac |
What the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District says about it
USACE: the Pennsylvania Game Commission manages approximately 3,000 acres of project land for wildlife purposes, including a waterfowl propagation area.
Facts from the source record, PGC AGOL layer, PGC AGOL layer, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Shenango River Lake deer numbers by WMU
Unit-level figures from PGC, the finest level published for deer.
| Unit | Area sq mi | Game lands | Antlers | Licenses | Change | Sellout 2025 | CWD | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 1A | 1,846 | 127 | Three up | 52,000 | +6,000 | 8/11 | No | 25,800 |
Peak: 27,000 deer in 2020. Low: 15,100 in 2015. Bucks: 10,000; antlerless: 15,800 (2025-26). Archery 9,990; firearms 14,600; muzzleloader 1,210. Antlerless licenses for WMU 1A: 52,000 this year (+6,000).
Bears by county
| County | In 2024 | In 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 11 | — |
Turkeys and bears by WMU
| Unit | Turkeys (spring 2024) | Bears (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 1A | 2,216 | 33 |
WMU areas from the PGC WMU pages; antlerless allocations from the PGC allocation; deer harvest from the 2025-26 PGC report and the PGC historic harvest dashboard; bears from PGC releases; turkeys from PGC job report. Checked October 12, 2026.
2026-27 season calendar for Shenango River Lake
Rows come straight from the 2026-27 digest and the seasons and bag limits page; the status column turns green while a season is open.
| Animal | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Agricultural Deer Control (Ag Tag, antlerless only) | This area | Aug 1, 2026 | Apr 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | October muzzleloader (antlerless only) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Special firearms (antlerless only) | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Rifle (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended regular firearms (antlerless only) | This area | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Flintlock (antlered or antlerless) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Archery | This area | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Special firearms | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Rifle | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | This area | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler youth hunt | Statewide | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler season (morning only) | Statewide | May 1, 2027 | May 15, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler season (all day) | Statewide | May 16, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Junior hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (male or female) | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (male or female) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Junior hunt | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Junior hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodchuck | Regular | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Woodchuck | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Regular (Thursday-Sunday only) | Statewide | Aug 20, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Fox | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | |
| Opossum, striped skunk and weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Starling and English sparrow | No closed season | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Gallinules | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Virginia and sora rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 |
From the Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons and bag limits and the 2026-27 digest, checked October 12, 2026.
Shenango River Lake plotted with its neighbors
Shenango River Lake sits at the orange pin, with 10 public neighbors inside 25 miles. Largest within reach: Pymatuning State Park, 10,300 acres.
| Area | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Game Lands 294 | State Game Lands | 621 | 14 mi | east | 1A |
| State Game Lands 150 | State Game Lands | 594 | 17 mi | south | 1A |
| Pymatuning State Park | State park | 10,300 | 17 mi | north | 1A |
| State Game Lands 270 | State Game Lands | 2,191 | 18 mi | northeast | 1A |
| State Game Lands 214 | State Game Lands | 9,661 | 18 mi | north | 1A |
| Maurice K. Goddard State Park | State park | 1,075 | 20 mi | east | 1A |
| State Game Lands 213 | State Game Lands | 5,646 | 21 mi | northeast | 1A |
| State Game Lands 284 | State Game Lands | 1,590 | 22 mi | southeast | 1A |
| State Game Lands 178 | State Game Lands | 165 | 22 mi | southeast | 1A |
| State Game Lands 130 | State Game Lands | 3,170 | 25 mi | east | 1A |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (PGC Cooperative Wildlife Management Areas GIS (point inside largest parcel)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Shenango River Lake hunting hours by day
Deer, bear and grouse hunters get a half hour of light at both ends of the day. Duck, goose and dove hunters stop right at sunset.
Times worked out for Shenango River Lake in Eastern time from the rule in the Pennsylvania Game Commission digest (shooting hours). Some furbearers may be taken at night; check the digest. Shooting hours for every county.
Where to sight in near Shenango River Lake
The Game Commission range closest to Shenango River Lake is State Game Lands 203 Archery Range (53 miles). Local clubs within 30 miles are included.
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Where to stay and shop near Shenango River Lake
Pick a base town, then find a processor.
| Town | County | Miles | Direction to area | Population | Public land nearby (ac) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpsville | Mercer | 6 mi | north | 4,127 | 3,455 |
| Mercer | Mercer | 16 mi | northwest | 1,922 | 4,722 |
| Conneaut Lake | Crawford | 21 mi | southwest | 612 | 15,278 |
| Sandy Lake | Mercer | 22 mi | west | 630 | 15,462 |
Services close by
Nearest offices
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates and Gazetteer; public acres within 10 miles from PGC, DCNR and federal layers; businesses from Hunters Sharing the Harvest, PDA, store locators and listings; offices from PGC and DCNR pages. Checked October 12, 2026. Call ahead.
Shenango River Lake: what to bring along
Four items chosen for this ground and its seasons.
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Shenango River Lake: what hunters keep asking
Is Shenango River Lake big enough for a full day of hunting?
3,449 acres on the record.
Which town works well as a base for Shenango River Lake?
Mercer County; Sharpsville is the nearest town we cover, 6 miles away.
What Wildlife Management Unit covers Shenango River Lake?
It lies in WMU 1A. Bucks in WMU 1A must have three points on a side, excluding the brow tine.
What is the antlerless allocation near Shenango River Lake?
52,000 for WMU 1A this year. Last year’s sellout date: 8/11.
Which 2026-27 deer segments cover Shenango River Lake?
Rifle season: Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. Archery starts Oct 3, 2026. The full list is in the season table above.
Is Sunday hunting allowed on Shenango River Lake?
All seasons include Sundays now, migratory birds excepted.
When is orange mandatory at Shenango River Lake?
250 sq in of fluorescent orange, visible all around, whenever the season requires it.
What paperwork do I carry on Shenango River Lake?
Start with the $20.97 resident license; bear, archery, muzzleloader and antlerless are extra. The pheasant permit is $26.97 for adults.
What species does Shenango River Lake hold?
Pheasants and ducks and geese.
How often is Shenango River Lake stocked?
Yes: 9 releases and 1,565 birds in 2026-27.
What is the closest public land to Shenango River Lake?
In order of distance: State Game Lands 294 (14 miles), State Game Lands 150 (17 miles) and Pymatuning State Park (17 miles).
Shenango River Lake, the last word
Double-check Shenango River Lake with its manager: open areas, gates and any drawn hunts.
Sources for this page: www.lrp.usace.army.mil: Shenango River Lake · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 300 · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 100 · pa.gov: pheasant allocation; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain).