Middle Creek is a Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Management Area managed for wildlife through habitat management, controlled hunting, and sound biological science. Built to support waterfowl and waterfowl hunting opportunities when Canada geese were less numerous, it answered demand in southeastern Pennsylvania for a place to hunt waterfowl like Pymatuning Reservoir, which was created in 1935 in the western part of the state. Funding from Project 70, Project 500, and the federal Land and Water Conservation Act made possible a 400 acre water impoundment, wetlands, and ponds for waterfowl stopover habitat and for sportsmen seeking to manage populations through hunting. Today it is a vital stopover for many waterfowl species and continues to be managed for Canada geese. Its designations as an Important Bird Area and an Important Mammal Area reflect its importance to hundreds of species that rely on its habitat. Waterfowl hunting remains integral there, with controlled goose hunts each year and other permitted hunting opportunities, while a Visitors Center and associated programs provide wildlife education to thousands of visitors annually, especially during the snow goose migration season. Bird watching, hiking, picnicking, fishing, and non-motorized boating are also popular, and Middle Creek is intended to continue conserving wildlife while providing recreation for current and future generations.
