Below Braddock Dam

Getting cabin fever and started planning out some trips for next year and was wondering if anyone does good below the Braddock Dam. It looks so good across from the town with all the big boulders and rip rap, but we never seem to do any good at all there (always from a boat). In fact, I never even went up to it this year b/c I have no confidence there.

Anyone have stories to prove me wrong?

My friend an i fished from the dam all the way down to Sand Castle in the middle of summer an we did well on Bass .

http://www.steelvalleytrail.org/trail.htm

I think you can access from here, but the dam isn't very close to any access points. Would likely need to bike your way there. Not sure if there are any cliffs to scale either. Have wanted to check it out for a while now though.

The other side, I think is where most people fish, but is the lock side. So, that already puts you a good 400 yards below the dam itself, and not even sure how close to the lock you can get by shore. I know my buddy fishes in Braddock, about 1/2 mile from the dam. It's just close to his work, and he gets a few smallmouth. Much better places to fish, but if it's a 5 minute drive, and need to get some fishing in, I've fished in much worse to get a fix...

So the old dam was further downstream? I didn't realize that either - can you tell where it used to be?

Before the new dam we used to put a small boat in at i think 10th st motor across and get up on the wall,Lot's of walleye!!!!!!

ORIGINAL: ridgehunter

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Warning: It can be a very dangerous down there even during the daytime.  I highly recommend not to be there at night.  There have been a few fishermen that have beaten and robbed and a couple others that have been shot down there. 

Not trying to stir up a debate but I grew up about 3 minutes from there and have fished there many times over the years. Of all those times, and years growing up there, I've never heard of a single story like you mention.

Just wondering if you know someone personally where it didn't make it into the news or what.

In all due respect to ridge it isn't the best neighborhood so maybe he's just trying to give people a heads up. The people that I've met there are there to honestly just try and catch the biggest catfish they possible can and relax while doing so.

ORIGINAL: ridgehunter

TastyTrout I can only relay what the Braddock cops told me when I reported vandalism to my truck when I launch from there. This was a few years back and since then, I no longer launch from there.

I was born in Braddock also but grew up in North Braddock just across the tracks on Franklin not very far from there.

Maybe it's not as bad as it was in the past ESPECIALLY since they've bulldozed much of it and most of the trouble as moved out. Even if that's the case, you wouldn't see me there fishing or launching from there.

If you're old enough, do you remember Talbot Towers that was located not far from that ramp? When that building was up and running, nobody and I mean nobody launched or fished from that ramp.

You may feel safe fishing there, but remember Braddock is still Braddock. Maybe not as bad as the past but it could still be dangerous.

I actually agree with you. I would never launch a boat a leave a vehicle unattended. I didn't know that's what you were talking about. Once again not somewhere I'd take a young child, but somewhere I personally feel comfortable fishing from shore.

ORIGINAL: TastyTrout

ORIGINAL: ridgehunter

TastyTrout I can only relay what the Braddock cops told me when I reported vandalism to my truck when I launch from there. This was a few years back and since then, I no longer launch from there.

I was born in Braddock also but grew up in North Braddock just across the tracks on Franklin not very far from there.

Maybe it's not as bad as it was in the past ESPECIALLY since they've bulldozed much of it and most of the trouble as moved out. Even if that's the case, you wouldn't see me there fishing or launching from there.

If you're old enough, do you remember Talbot Towers that was located not far from that ramp? When that building was up and running, nobody and I mean nobody launched or fished from that ramp.

You may feel safe fishing there, but remember Braddock is still Braddock. Maybe not as bad as the past but it could still be dangerous.

I actually agree with you. I would never launch a boat a leave a vehicle unattended. I didn't know that's what you were talking about. Once again not somewhere I'd take a young child, but somewhere I personally feel comfortable fishing from sure.

As a home-boy no one would know those surroundings better than you.

Btw, did you ever fish the old dam on the other side? The fishing over there was 2nd to none.

How far down from the current dam was the old one? I'm looking at Google Earth right now and can't tell - was it right across from 11th street?

Wow Ridge, that's really pretty interesting. Surprised there isn't a QED special on it!

Fishing up on the walk-way at the old dam used to be quite productive. (sorry about the picture quality, very old digital picture.) You never knew what you were going to catch. And yes, I launched and parked down at the 10th Street launch and I never had any problems. However, I don't think it would be a smart idea to leave any valuables in sight. BOC Gas Co has security cameras in the area that might deter some criminal activities.

Fishing has not been the same since they floated the new dam into place. Boating restrictions prohibit you from getting close to the "whitewater" and the shoreline below the old dam is very shallow with no current flow.

I wouldn't recommend  trying to walk down from the Kennywood side. The hill side is extremely steep.

There is a launch in McKeesport where the Yough enters the Mon. The stretch down to where Turtle creek enters can be productive for smallies.

I walked from the dam to the Rankin bridge 3 days ago behind kennywood, about 200 yards below the dam and further north towards Homestead, it appeared if you could make it down the bank, shore fishing looked possible.

Ronnie

nice fish snyd

ORIGINAL: Accountant

the bike trail is completed between duquesne and the waterfront. i know it goes along the hillside by kennywood. perhaps that can make it a little easier to get down to the shore on that side.

There was a path that would take you down to the old dam that would put you right on the shoreline. It was kind of steep but it would get you down there. Not sure if it's still visible, accessible or grown over?

Sorry Accountant, my comment wasn't direct towards you. I was just making a general statement and used your quote because you mention the location of the bike trail.