Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 10
Summer Bass Fishing in Mini Lakes
by Jeff Knapp
photos by the author
Smaller impoundments, typically 300 to 350 acres or less, offer
many opportunities for summertime bass anglers. It is common
for such waters to support relatively high numbers of bass,
mostly Largemouth Bass but Smallmouth Bass as well. Smallerscale bass waters make finding bass an easier task; chances are
good that you are putting your lure in front of fish. Also, anglers
can expect a more tranquil experience, which is often not the
case on larger lakes and impoundments where powerboat
activity is common.
As many Pennsylvania anglers know, many smaller
impoundments have been drained due to safety concerns
with dam structures. As funding has become available, repair
work has been completed with refilling and restocking taking
place. This is good news for anglers returning to some of their
favorite waters, as well as added venues for people looking to
try new places, in many cases ones benefiting from the burst of
aquatic life common in new and reclaimed impoundments.
Since bass populations tend to be dense-often more of a
quantity over quality situation-the tactics used on mini waters
may be varied. Bass lean to a more aggressive attitude due to
10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2020
competition for the limited food supply. Moving baits such as
soft swimbaits and soft jerkbaits are typically effective. When
the need to slow down becomes evident, jigs and worms often
get the job done. If you want to gain confidence in a lure or
bait, mini lakes are a great place to do so. Armed with a level of
success, it will pay off when you are on bigger waters, where the
bass bite may be tougher, but the fish larger.
Here is a sampling of some of Pennsylvania's better mini bass
waters, along with the most recent data from Pennsylvania Fish
& Boat Commission (PFBC) surveys to give you the best idea of
the bass fisheries present.
Dutch Fork Lake
Dutch Fork Lake, Washington County, is a 91-acre
impoundment refilled in 2013, following a draining made
necessary due to damage to the lake's spillway. Dutch Fork
Lake was emptied in 2004. Stocking by the PFBC of Bluegills,
Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappies began
once the lake refilled.
Night electrofishing conducted in the spring of 2019
collected Largemouth Bass up to 20 inches in length and at a
rate exceeding that required to meet Big Bass Program Special
Regulations. Area Fisheries Management Area 8 assessed
the Largemouth Bass fishing situation as "continuing to be
excellent, and only improve as the population of bass increases."
www.fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 5
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover4
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