Pymatuning is taken from an Indian term translated as "the crooked-mouthed man's dwelling place." The landscape around Pymatuning was shaped long ago by the action of the glaciers as they carved deep holes 14,000 years ago. Gradually filling to form a vast swamp and numerous lakes as the ice melted away.

Swampland that was filled with water by a dam built in 1933. Two years later the state acquired the land surrounding the 1,400 acre lake that was formed and made it a State Park. Today there are five boat ramps (10 HP limit) where fisherman enjoy crappie, black bass, channel catfish and some of the best walleye and muskie fishing in the Midwest. The abundance of fish attracts many bald eagles.