Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 11

Dutch Fork Lake is owned by the PFBC and is limited to
non-powered and electric motors only.

Bradys Run Lake

Bradys Run Lake is a 28-acre lake that is part of Beaver
County's Bradys Run Park. It was restocked by the PFBC during
2010-2011 following a period in which the small lake was
drained, dredged, and refilled.
Though much of the fishing attention at Bradys Run Lake
is during the spring from trout anglers pursuing adult trout
stocked by the PFBC, the lake also supports a good warmwater
fishery, particularly that of Largemouth Bass. When Area
Fisheries Management Area 1 personnel conducted a survey
during the spring of 2017, including nighttime electrofishing
efforts, they were impressed with the Largemouth Bass
population, terming the catch rate and size distribution as
excellent, citing strong year classes in 2015 and 2016.

Kahle Lake

This 251-acre lake is owned by the PFBC and lies in
Clarion and Venango counties. Historically, this productive
body of water has supported a dense population of
Largemouth Bass, which was evident again during the survey
of 2018 conducted by the PFBC and Clarion University of
Pennsylvania.
Night electrofishing activities completed during October
2018 collected a total of 1,456 Largemouth Bass, at a rate of
260.8 per hour. Area Fisheries Management Area 2 personnel
termed this catch rate as exceptional compared to other
northwest Pennsylvania waters.
Kahle Lake is currently being maintained at a pool level
approximately 3 feet below full, due to concerns about the
integrity of the spillway. Not considered a high risk, plans are
to continue to hold this pool level until funds are available
for necessary repairs. Kahle Lake is managed under Big Bass
Program Special Regulations and is limited to non-powered
and electric motors only.

Colyer Lake

Located in Centre County, 77-acre Colyer Lake is owned
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the
PFBC for fishing and boating. The lake was drawn down to
address structural concerns with the dam structure and refilled
in 2015. During the drawdown, numerous improvements
were made including the addition of logs, tree piles, and post

Soft swimbaits worked over the top of mini lake
weedbeds coax aggressive Largemouth Bass into biting.
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Some mini lakes, like Cambria County's Beaverdam Run
Reservoir, support good Smallmouth Bass populations.

clusters. The lakebed was also limed to improve the lake's
water chemistry and productivity.
Nighttime electrofishing efforts done in 2017 and 2018
revealed a good Largemouth Bass population in addition to
several other species. The lake was managed under Catch
and Release Regulations initially to allow populations
to become self-supporting but is now under standard
statewide regulations.

Opossum Lake

Opossum Lake, Cumberland County, is another example of
a PFBC-owned lake that was lowered and subsequently refilled
and is again providing good fishing for Largemouth Bass.
Emptied in 2008 to repair the dam and spillway, the lake
was refilled in 2013 to a 47-acre pool, somewhat lower than
its original 59-acre surface area. During its lowering, habitat
structures were added to the lake.
Surveyed in both 2015 and 2018 Area Fisheries Management
Area 7 personnel documented a Largemouth Bass fishery that
is improving in size structure. The 2018 effort collected bass at
a rate of 78 per hour, with 63% in the 10- to 11-inch range. The
PFBC assessment of the two surveys documented recruitment
of the Largemouth Bass quality and preferred sizes.
Other state mini lakes to consider include Beaverdam Run
Reservoir, Cambria County, where Smallmouth Bass are the
featured species, as well as Lake Jean, Luzerne and Sullivan
counties, and Chambers Lake, Chester County.

Skirted jigs are appropriate for Largemouth Bass on many small lakes.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2020

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020

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