Chapter 1: State Game Lands #314 and David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve

State Game Lands #314, in Erie County, spans 3,131 acres. The Ohio state line is the western border of these game lands, and the Lake Erie shoreline forms their northern border for about 1.5 miles. This segment of the shoreline is the longest undeveloped reach of Lake Erie’s south shore between Toledo, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. The overlook spot, the site of the David M. Roderick Monument, offers a nearly unspoiled view of the lake and its natural shoreline, except for the westward sight of the Conneaut, Ohio, breakwater and the occasional seagoing vessel entering or leaving the area.

The David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve was dedicated in July 1991. The United States Steel Corporation (now usx) owned the property, which it had bought from Andrew Carnegie early in the 1900s. (Carnegie intended to build a steel mill on the site, but those plans were changed in the 1960s.) David M. Roderick—for whom the reserve is named—was chief executive officer of usx from 1979 to 1989 as well as an avid outdoorsman with an abiding interest in conservation. During Roderick’s tenure as ceo, the property was sold to the Mellon Foundation, which turned it over to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The Conservancy sold the reserve to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The most common species here include woodcock, rabbit, grouse, and white-tailed deer. Indeed, wildlife-watching—and bird-watching in particular—is the main attraction at this tract, which covers 4 square miles. The lake and its shoreline mark a major north-south migration route for birds, including raptors such as hawks and eagles, waterfowl, and some one hundred documented songbird species. Upland ground birds, such as grouse, pheasant, and wild turkey, are also abundant. In spring, birds flying north use this area as a rest stop before they take wing over the lake, and in the fall, birds flying south rest in this area after their journey over the water.

The overlook is a cleared, grassy area about 100 yards long at the David M. Roderick Monument, and the site stands about 100 feet above the water. The peaceful view is due north, 300 degrees west-northwest to about 75 degrees east-northeast. Visible to the east is a clifflike stretch of undeveloped Lake Erie shoreline; to the west, more shoreline and the Conneaut breakwater. You can enjoy this view from the benches that face the lake.

The shoreline cliffs here are part of present-day erosional processes. They are not Ice Age remnants of a former high lake shoreline. (The retreat of the last glacier to reach this area left the cliff’s sand and gravel.) Today’s lake level has been relatively steady for the last three thousand to four thousand years; earlier lake levels were different from modern levels. You can see the remnants of ancient shorelines—sandy, gravelly ridges about 10 to 15 feet high—in several places in Erie County. Many, however, have been altered or removed by building and regrading, so they are not obvious. The lake erodes the shoreline at a rate of about 3 feet annually, but this rate varies according to elements such as storms in the area, lake levels, and whether the shoreline has a beach.

OPPORTUNITIES: Hiking, hunting, sightseeing, and wildlifewatching.
ADMINISTRATION AND AMENITIES: There are no services at this overlook.
DIRECTIONS: From U.S. Route 20, where Route 20 and PA Route 5 meet at West Springfield, turn north onto Rudd Road, which is clearly marked with a street sign. Drive 2.6 miles north on Rudd Road to its end at Lake Road. Turn left (west) onto Lake Road and drive 1.4 miles to the monument’s parking area on the north side of Lake Road.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest Region Headquarters, PO Box 31, 1509 Pittsburgh Road, Franklin, PA 16323 (814-432-3187 or 1-800-533-6764), or visit its Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
NEARBY OVERLOOKS: Allegheny National Forest overlooks (Warren County); Seneca Point Overlook (Clarion County); and Beartown Rocks Vista (Jefferson County).

OTHER NEARBY OPPORTUNTIES

Presque Isle State Park (Erie County). Activities include bicycling, boating (with unlimited horsepower), ice boating, fishing for trout and other species, ice fishing, hiking on 19 trail miles, hunting, picnicking, ice skating, cross-country skiing, lake swimming, and wildlifewatching. The park also offers boat launching and mooring [$], boat rental [$], environmental education, a food concession, a marina, pavilion rental [$], a playfield, a playground, and a visitors center.

Pymatuning State Park (Crawford County). Activities include boating (with 10hp limit), ice boating, tent and trailer camping [$], organized group tent and trailer camping [$], fishing for warm-water species, ice fishing, hiking on 2 trail miles, hunting, picnicking, ice skating, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling on 15 trail miles with trailhead, lake swimming, and wildlife-watching. The park also offers boat launching and mooring [$], boat rental [$], modern cabin rental [$], environmental education, a food concession, a marina, pavilion rental [$], a playfield, and a playground.

In Crawford County, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Linesville Fish Culture Station has a visitors center (814-683-4451), and Erie County’s Fairview Fish Culture Station also welcomes visitors (814-474-1514).

Erie National Wildlife Refuge (Crawford County). Activities include boating (in boats without motors), fishing, hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing, and wildlifewatching. It also offers boat launching and environmental education. Call the Refuge (814-789-3584) for complete information on regulations.