Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 29
Oil Creek
by Marilyn Black
photo-Marilyn Black
I understand how those who have never seen Oil Creek may cringe
at the thought of fishing or paddling a waterway with such a name.
Yet, this wide stream offers excellent water quality, well-established
Smallmouth Bass and trout fisheries, scenic beauty and easy public
access. With those ingredients, it's no wonder that Oil Creek,
Venango and Crawford counties, is a great destination for anglers.
photo-Darl Black
Oil Creek's characteristics
This nice Rainbow Trout was caught on Oil Creek.
WARREN
CRAWFORD
OIL
CREEK
OIL
CREEK
VENANGO
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com
FOREST
The East Branch of Oil Creek stretches from Clear Lake,
Spartansburg, in upper Crawford County southeast to Centerville
where it joins the main stem of Oil Creek (which begins at the dam
on Canadohta Lake, originally called Oil Creek Lake) and proceeds
to Titusville in the southeastern corner of Crawford County where
it is joined by Pine Creek. The northern half of Oil Creek has very
low gradient and long pools up to 10 feet deep with numerous
surrounding wetlands. From Titusville downstream, the water
widths average 120 feet with higher gradient and numerous riffles
and shallow runs, which flow another 22 miles through Oil Creek
State Park to Rouseville and finally Oil City where this tributary
enters the Allegheny River. You can carefully wade the entire
southern half of Oil Creek. Kayakers and canoeists ride its waters in
spring, summer and autumn.
Oil Creek Valley is most famous as the birthplace of the world's
petroleum industry. Early French maps of this region label the
stream "Oyl," the Seneca word for the crude petroleum that they
gathered on multiple springs. In 1859, Edwin Drake drilled the first
successful commercial oil well through a natural oil seep in wetlands
along Oil Creek, immediately downstream from Titusville. That
spot and surrounding acreage on the east bank are commemorated
by Drake Well Museum and Park, operated by the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission.
When word spread about this fortuitous strike (reaching oil
at a depth of just 69 feet), speculators and property owners along
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014
29
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014
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Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 14
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 17
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 20
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 30
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT4
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