Smaller And/or Private Pocono Lakes

[jbass33]

Hello, I'm new to posting but have picked up a lot of great info from this site as a lurker.  Thanks to everyone who contributes.  

 

I'm looking at getting a place on a lake somewhere in the poconos that will also serve a ski house in the winter.  The primary consideration for which lake to choose is the fishing (a bit of a drive to skiing isn't a problem).  There's some fishing info floating around on the larger public lakes (Beltzville, Wallenpaupack, etc) but it's been tough to gather much on the smaller (and perhaps private) lakes (Harmony, Big Boulder, Towamensing, Arrowhead, Naomi, etc).  Do any of the lakes of this type in the area have good/bad reputations for fishing?  Bass would be the main target but any pike/trout would be a nice bonus.  

 

Would greatly appreciate any input.  Thanks

 

[thomas15]

I cannot address your specific question re: are the private lakes around here any good?

 

I'm a transplant from the Jersey Shore. I can tell you that it is a wonderful place to raise a family and it's quiet as can be. The taxes and real estate prices are lower than NJ, way lower. I'm in Carbon County live within a mile of Beltzville. I gave up fishing the Jersey Shore for raising my kids in the Poconos. For me it was worth it but recreation was not a part of the decision process. I went from a 1000 sq. ft. ranch home on a 100x100 foot lot to a 2000 s/f home, 2 car detached on 4 acres of trees right down the street from Beltzville.

 

However, the area is somewhat of a LMB hades. Fishing for Bass is a challenge no doubt about it. It is a fact that Beltzville is packed with nice sized Bass but the lake is so pressured that it's hard to fish. The Pack is easier but it's also crowded.

 

But your asking about a private pond near the slopes. Lets say you have access to a 10 acre private pond that you simply slay the bass. How long before you start pining for a change of scenery? The Lake at Lake Harmony may be stuffed with fish but Big Boulder isn't that big and Jack Frost is packed on the weekends. As someone that could ski Blue Mountain every day it's open I don't think I would buy or long term lease a property around here to both fish and ski. The last several winters have been good for the ski areas but there is no guarantee that snow will fall and temps will stay low. The Lehigh River has good whitewater when they are releasing water from upstream but again the river is clogged with NYers.

 

If I wanted to invest in a place to fish/ski but not reside full time, I would take a serious look at upstate New York or western VT. My brother lives in Plattsburg NY, he has fantastic NY and VT skiing and Lake Champlain which is one of the premier freshwater fisheries in the eastern USA. Prices are lower than the Poconos. If that is too far, why not consider the Catskills?

 

Just my opinion.

[jbass33]

Thanks for the input Thomas.  You bring up a lot of good points - especially with the scenery getting stale on a small body of water.  I don't think I'd consider anything under 200 acres or so, but even that might not be enough to avoid the issue.  I don't ski personally but having reliable quality skiing is also a valid concern for those in the family that do.  I think Plattsburgh would be a bit too far but the Catskills might not be out of the question (coming from the Philly area).  I'd welcome any input on the fishing in that area as well.  

 

At some point I will need to visit these places (and hopefully fish them) to make some kind of informed decision - just hoping to target my research a little better by picking up some local knowledge first.  The realtor seems to be pushing Arrowhead and Towamensing but that has nothing to do with fishing.  

[thomas15]

Welcome to the forum jbass33. Just make sure you are fully informed regarding property taxes and any other fees imposed by any association. It can get quite expensive fast. Also, some of the school districts have this little trick of  accessing property values for tax purposes based on the selling price, not the accessed value (or 50% of the accessed value). It is not that unusual for two identical town homes to have very different tax bills. Next time you are in the area, take a drive along Beltzville Lake on Pohopoco Dr. A few miles north of the Pine Run Boat Launch is a place called (I think) Lakeview Lodge, it's on the right side of the road. The Palmerton School district had the place accessed at about $900,000 This is why the place is not being used the builders couldn't afford the taxes. This is just an example, not to scare you just be aware.

 

When you refer to Towamensing, is this Towamensing Trails?

[jbass33]

Thanks for the welcome and I appreciate the heads up on the taxes.  Those little "hidden" details can make an enormous difference.  Yes, nearly all of the listings for that lake were Towamensing Trails...although I want to say one place was not part of that association (not sure off hand).  Since it might be tough to gather fishing reports on these smaller lakes online - do you know of a bait & tackle shop up there that might have a good handle on the quality of the fishing at most places (including the small private ones)?  

[Megastink]

Gold Key Lake in Dingmans Ferry has a healthy bass and walleye population, as well as panfish. You wouldn't be far from Wallenpaupack, Shohola, or Fairview. I grew up in Milford and there are some good lakes around the area.

[thomas15]

Thanks for the welcome and I appreciate the heads up on the taxes.  Those little "hidden" details can make an enormous difference.  Yes, nearly all of the listings for that lake were Towamensing Trails...although I want to say one place was not part of that association (not sure off hand).  Since it might be tough to gather fishing reports on these smaller lakes online - do you know of a bait & tackle shop up there that might have a good handle on the quality of the fishing at most places (including the small private ones)?  

 

 

Next time you are in the area stop in at the Wacky Worm on Rt 209 in Gilbert. This is just south of Broadheadsville. You might want to google them for their hours they are closed on Sundays and I think Mondays. They are very knowledgeable on the area and have a great selection of plastics and misc tackle. 

 

I don't wan't do discourage you from the area as it has many good points. But there are a few issues. 

[jbass33]

Thanks Megastink and Thomas for the info.  I've blocked off a day from work to go up and check some places out...looking forward to picking some brains at Wacky Worm.

[thomas15]

Thanks Megastink and Thomas for the info.  I've blocked off a day from work to go up and check some places out...looking forward to picking some brains at Wacky Worm.

 

You are welcome. And you remind me, I need to block off a day from work also to go fishing, and nothing but fishing. The summer is getting on and I don't fish through the ice.

 

Too many projects, too few fishing trips.

 

sigh...

[Turkey sandwich]

I grew up in nepa, just on the oversize of the Poconos from a lot of the folks posting.

Rivers:

Susquehanna North Branch - still an awesome smallmouth fishery, despite some of the lower river's problems. The river is still one of the best smallmouth fisheries, anywhere. It's also great walleye and musky waters.

Delaware River - the trout fishing further up nor and striper fishing down south are what it's known for, but there are some really gorgeous stretches that also have quality smallmouth and walleye.

Lehigh/Little Lehigh - great trout stream that opens up to multi species the closer you get to the Delaware River.

Lakes - not a ton of bigger lakes, but there are some that are Poconos/Poconos-ish that produce solid fish.

Lily Lake, Frances Slocum, Prompton Reservoir, and Shahola Lake are all solid fisheries that haven't been mentioned (I don't think). Other spots like Harvey's Lake are deep enough to produce solid cold water species.

I'm also in Philly and make the trip north to fish the Susquehanna on weekends whenever I can because it's that good. Feel free to PM me, and i'llbeglad to help you.

Also, whoever mentioned Plattsburgh - the area is incredible. if I recover well from back surgery this month, the St. Regis Wilderness area is a kayak trip I'm all about.

[ClackerBuzz]

I think Megastink nailed it. that would be the area if I was going to buy.  there is a good variety of water in that area, big and small. the water gap is beautiful and you can even cross into NJ for fishing. Plattsburgh might be beautiful but is no quick commute from Philly.

[jerzeeD]

Small world. I live in Gold Key. My profile pic is of the first fish I ever caught in that lake. I have to say this area is a solid place for freshwater anglers. Lake Shohola is 20 or so minutes away. The Delaware river is a 10-15 minute ride from me. NJ has some good spots close by too. Swartswood is a great walleye lake, and Lake Aeroflex has good trout and salmon fishing. You can certainly find any species you want to target relatively close to home up here.

[CrustyMono]

On 8/4/2015 at 8:35 PM, thomas15 said:

If I wanted to invest in a place to fish/ski but not reside full time, I would take a serious look at upstate New York or western VT. My brother lives in Plattsburg NY, he has fantastic NY and VT skiing and Lake Champlain which is one of the premier freshwater fisheries in the eastern USA. Prices are lower than the Poconos. If that is too far, why not consider the Catskills?

good point, i live in chester county, but have a house near lake harmony. it is 65 acres with average bass size of 3 pounds. electric only. harmony is unlimited and 127 acres it gets packed with pleasure boaters but few anglers lots of docks and rocks and hydrilla. there are other small lakes nearby with close access 5 min to jack frost and big boulder

[Megastink]

You can usually fish up to about New Years in the Milford/DF area. I fish a collection of lakes and average 30-50 bass days. In winter, I catch perch up to 14" and crappies up to 18". I've caught bass up to 7lbs. Buy a house there. PM me for location.