Regional Intelligence
- No recent flyway updates. Keep an eye on the weather.
Kinzua Tailwaters
Outflow: 12700 CFS
Gage Height: 11.90 FT
Trend: Falling
Hunter Note: High CFS (over 4,000) makes wading gravel bars dangerous. Low CFS exposes islands near Tidioute.
Kinzua Tactical Strategies
The "Deep Water" Diver Spread
On the Reservoir, use long-lines (mainlines) with 12-18 decoys per line. Mix Bluebills and Redheads with a few Canvasbacks at the "head" of the spread. Divers follow the line like a runway. Set your boat up-wind of the lines.
River Jump Shooting
When the creeks freeze, mallards stack in the moving ripples of the Brokenstraw. Using a kayak to drift silently into the bends is lethal. Keep your shots high to avoid hitting ice chunks or submerged logs.
Late-Season Canada Geese
Large decoy spreads are key in December. Look for snow-covered cornfields near Youngsville. Use "sleepers" and "sentries" almost exclusively—birds are looking for safety and food, not aggression.
The Allegheny Reservoir & River
The **Allegheny Reservoir** is a diving duck magnet. When the inland ponds freeze, the "deep water" stays open. Divers like Bluebills, Redheads, and Canvasbacks use the main channel, while the **Kinzua Backwaters** (like Willow Bay) hold Mallards and Blacks.
The Allegheny River
From the Kinzua Dam tailwaters down through **Tidioute**, the river is a late-season sanctuary. The moving water prevents icing, making it the best spot in the region for Goldeneyes ("Whistlers") and Common Mergansers. Focus on gravel bars and the mouths of feeder creeks.
Swamps, Creeks & Marshes
Akeley Swamp
A premier State Game Lands (SGL 282) location. This managed wetland is a Wood Duck factory in October and offers excellent walk-in access for puddle duck hunters.
Buzzard Swamp
Located near Marienville, this system of 15 man-made ponds is a critical stopover for migrating Canada Geese and Tundra Swans. It offers a unique "pothole" hunting experience in the heart of the forest.
Conewango & Brokenstraw Creeks
These slow-moving tributaries are perfect for "jump shooting" or small-spread kayak setups. The **Conewango** in particular holds massive numbers of Mallards and Woodies that feed in the adjacent cornfields and return to the creek to loaf.
Target Species
Puddle Ducks
Mallards, Black Ducks, Wood Ducks, Teal, and Gadwall. Primarily found in Akeley, Buzzard Swamp, and the Conewango.
Diving Ducks
Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Scaup, and Ring-necks. These are the "Big Water" birds of the Reservoir and River.
Geese & Swans
Resident and Migratory Canadas are abundant. Tundra Swans are frequent visitors to the Reservoir but remember: Swans are protected in PA.