Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2021 - 41

Boating

All watercraft on Canonsburg Lake are limited
to being self-propelled or using electric motors
only. Boats must be registered or have a valid
launch permit in order to be on the water. Having
a boat greatly increases the water that an angler
can access. Remember, this lake was created by
damming a creek, so the result is a long, relatively
narrow lake. Visit www.fishandboat.com for
more information on registering boats and
purchasing launch permits.

Fishing

Speaking of shoreline, due to the
serpentine nature of the lake, there is a lot of
shoreline. That does not mean it is all easy
Canonsburg Lake, Washington County.
or even accessible to anglers. But, it does
allow for multiple fishing options. As to the
The usual assortment of baits such as worms, minnows,
management of Canonsburg Lake, according
and paste bait work well for trout, while spinners, small
to the 2019 PFBC Biologist Report, a night electrofishing
spoons, and little floating/diving minnow lures work
study targeting Largemouth Bass occurred in late April.
well for the lure anglers. Bass respond to rubber worms,
Since " Largemouth Bass are a significant predator of the
floating lures, and subsurface lures. Channel Catfish are
fingerling Channel Catfish...catch rates of Largemouth
not particularly selective, but worms top the list of favorite
Bass may be correlated with survival of Channel Catfish
bait. However, one of the problems with worms is that just
fingerlings " (PFBC 2019 Canonsburg Lake Bio Report).
about everything that swims will also eat worms. So, if you
But, whatever Largemouth Bass are eating, whether it
are targeting catfish, you may have a tough time getting
is Channel Catfish or Gizzard Shad fingerlings, bass are
getting big. How big? According to the same 2019 Biologist your bait in front of a catfish before something else grabs it.
Other popular baits include minnows (live or dead), stink
Bio Report, " At Canonsburg Lake in 2019, bass catch
baits, and even hot dogs.
rates well exceeded the statewide Big Bass Guidelines
Canonsburg Lake is easily accessible, offers a solid trout
benchmarks of 35 bass/hour, 7 bass/hour over 12 inches,
fishery, a Channel Catfish haven, and the chance to tie
and 2 bass/hour over 15 inches. "
into a lunker Largemouth Bass. If these are
the kinds of things you look for in a fishing
destination, then Canonsburg Lake definitely
should be on your " must fish " list.

Getting there

From the North: Canonsburg Lake
is easily accessible from Interstate 79,
head south, use Exit 45, turn left onto
McClelland Road, follow it for about 1.2
miles, then turn left onto U.S. Route 19
for a mile, then left onto Waterdam Plaza
Drive, and then drive 200 feet before
turning right into the parking lot.
From the South: Take Interstate
79 North to Exit 45, turn right onto
Weavertown Road, follow it for half a
mile, turn left onto U.S. Route 19 for 2.2
miles, then left onto Waterdam Plaza
Drive, and then drive 200 feet before
turning right into the parking lot.
Canonsburg Lake is a 76-acre manmade lake.
www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2021

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2021

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