Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 13

photo-Darl Black

harvest a creel limit of two trout of at least 7 inches, if they
have a Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing
License and are accompanied by a licensed adult angler who
also has a current trout/salmon permit. At Lake Julia, these
dates become popular public educational events coordinated
by Buhl Park personnel and volunteers from area service
organizations. Visit the park's website or call Katie Nowland
at 724-981-5522 for more details about youth fishing events.

Tips for anglers

Previously, fishing in Lake Julia was done only from the
shoreline. Currently, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle
boards are allowed on Lake Julia from 8:00 a.m. until dusk
or 8:00 p.m., subject to a few reasonable restrictions. Prior to
launching your own watercraft, you must register for a free
annual launch permit. Forms are available at the Casino, in
the park office, or online at www.buhlfarmpark.com.
Anglers seeking trout, Bluegills or Pumpkinseeds should
use hooks in size 8 or 10. Maggots, mealworms, waxworms
or red worms may be used to tip small jigs or bare hooks
suspended beneath bobbers.
"Given the size structure of the bass population, slightly
downsizing your lure selection will likely improve your
catch numbers. The lake gets weedy during the summer,
so weedless lures are advisable. Lures that imitate small
Bluegills and Gizzard Shad best match the primary food
bass are currently utilizing," said Wilson.
A Carolina rig with a buoyant soft plastic lizard or
worm works well. Try shallow subsurface crankbaits in
shad or Bluegill patterns that run only 3- or 4-feet deep. To
achieve longer casts, use buzzbaits or topwater lures. When
weeds reach the surface during mid to late summer, throw
a floating frog lure.
It is encouraging to see these ponds restored and the
fisheries responding to the more active management of
these natural resources. In turn, I encourage you to explore
this distinctive waterway within this privately-owned park,
which the American Planning Association designated as
one of the "2018 Great Places in Pennsylvania."

This Largemouth Bass from Lake Julia, Mercer County, took a
wacky worm cast by Marilyn Black.

photo-Darl Black

abundant, but there are not many individuals that exceed
6 inches in length. So far, we haven't seen evidence that
stocking the Channel Catfish has produced a fishery."
As a regular Stocked Trout Water, Lake Julia is closed
to fishing from March 1 to the opening day of trout. The
standard Commonwealth Inland Regulations apply the rest
of the year.
The PFBC Executive Director designates the Saturday prior
to the traditional opening day of trout season as Mentored
Youth Trout Day at Lake Julia and other stocked trout waters
in the northern 49 counties in Pennsylvania. Youth anglers
less than 16 years of age are allowed to fish for trout and

A relaxing way to spend a lovely day on Lake Julia, Mercer County.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020

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