Fishing is an American tradition, and it’s easy to find a good spot to fish during the warmer months. But when the weather gets cold, many Pennsylvanians turn to ice fishing to satisfy their cravings for freshly caught fish.
The best ice fishing lakes in Pennsylvania include:
- Presque Isle Bay
- Lake Arthur
- High Point Lake
- Lake Wallenpaupack
- Canoe Creek Lake
- Beechwood Lake
There are tons of lakes perfect for ice fishing in The Keystone State, from the Poconos Mountains to the Laurel Highlands. Keep reading to learn the best places to go fishing this winter!
1. Presque Isle Bay
Every fisherman knows that Erie County is one of the best spots to fish in the entire state of Pennsylvania. So naturally, Presque Isle Bay, located within Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA, gets the top spot on our list!
Presque Isle Bay is a 3,700-acre embayment of Lake Erie. It’s pretty sheltered, which makes it the perfect location for ice fishing — especially if you want to catch some big perch. Other species you might be able to find in Presque Isle Bay include:
- Walleye
- Bluegill
- Crappies
- Muskellunge
- Northern pike
This embayment has a pretty diverse fish population. However, most of the people who ice fish here report catching yellow perch and northern pike.
When to Ice Fish at Presque Isle Bay
If you want to ice fish at Presque Isle Bay, start planning your trip early in the winter season — right after the ice is strong enough to support it. Fish stay close together in these early days, then spread out over time. It’s obviously easier to get a bite when there are more fish in a specific area, so waiting too long could lead to hours without a catch.
Some people are nervous about ice fishing early in the winter season. But rest assured, Presque Isle Bay is known for icing over as soon as late December. To make sure everything’s safe, try to stay in Horseshoe Pond, Misery Bay, or anywhere at the head of the bay. Ice typically forms here first, but check the bulletins posted around the park to be sure.
If you can’t get out early in the season, wait until late February. This is when fish prepare to spawn and come back together.
The best time of the season is pretty clear-cut. But the best time of day to visit Presque Isle Bay depends on how you feel about the wind. Winds can be strong around Lake Erie, so most people like to get there early in the morning to avoid them. But if you have an ice hut and can handle some strong winds, go in the late afternoon or early evening for the best chance of a big catch.
What Should I Bring to Presque Isle Bay?
Apart from an ice hut, the essentials for ice fishing at Presque Isle Bay include:
- Jigging spoons
- Small lead head jigs
- Small spinning rods and reels
What you’ll want to tip your jigs with depends on what type of fish you’re trying to catch.
| Type of Fish | Best Tips |
| Perch | Emerald shiners |
| Panfish | Minnows or grubs |
| Northern pike | Large minnows or small suckers |
Rods are the way to go at Presque Isle Bay. In the state of Pennsylvania, spears cannot legally be used to catch the type of fish you’ll find here.
2. Lake Arthur
Moving down the map, you’ll find Lake Arthur near Portersville, PA. Located within Moraine State Park, Lake Arthur is a 3,200-acre reservoir where you can enjoy fishing for:
- Bass
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Northern pike
Lake Arthur is famous for housing some pretty big fish, so it’s definitely one to include on your ice fishing bucket list.
When to Ice Fish at Lake Arthur
There’s one downside of ice fishing at Lake Arthur. Ice thickness isn’t professionally monitored. To keep your ice fishing trip safe, go during the coolest time of the winter season and bring something you can measure the thickness with. Remember the rule of thumb — never venture out on ice less than four inches thick.
Once you’ve confirmed that the ice is thick enough to fish on, it’s time to pick your spot. Generally, the best places to ice fish on Lake Arthur are coves or anywhere with lots of green vegetation, where fish are more likely to congregate. It’s a good idea to drill multiple holes and see where you get the best results.
What Should I Bring to Lake Arthur?
For the most successful trip possible, bring a light jigging rod to Lake Arthur. Apart from that, the gear you’ll need depends on what type of fish you’re trying to catch,
| Type of Fish | Type of Jig | Best Tip |
| Bluegills | Small jigging spoons or teardrop jigs | Grubs or mealworms |
| Crappies | Small jigging spoons or teardrop jigs | Minnows |
| Walleyes | Small jigging spoons or lead head jigs | Minnows (five to six inches) or grubs |
| Pike | Small jigging spoons or lead head jigs | Minnows (five to six inches) or grubs |
Minnows are best for catching most types of fish in Lake Arthur. But while they will increase your chances of catching crappies, walleyes, and pike, they will decrease your chances of catching bluegills.
3. High Point Lake
Close to the Maryland border, you’ll find High Point Lake. High Point Lake is located in Somerset County and named for its proximity to Mt. Davis, the highest point in the state of Pennsylvania.
High Point Lake is housed within the scenic Laurel Highlands, which makes it the ideal spot for anyone looking for a quieter ice fishing experience. This lake may only be 338 acres, but it’s still a great place to find some big fish.
When to Ice Fish at High Point Lake
Pike is High Point Lake’s main attraction. They can usually be found in shallow waters in the early days of winter, so plan your trip sooner than later. As soon as the ice is four inches thick, pack up your gear and get ready for a day of ice fishing!
Once you’re at the lake, you’ll need to choose a good spot to drill your first hole. Look for and set things up near fish-attracting structures, such as:
- Large rocks
- Fallen trees
- Brush piles
Until you know what depths the fish are swimming around, it’s a good idea to set your tip-ups at a few different depths. Usually, you’ll have the best chance at just below four feet.
What Should I Bring to High Point Lake?
Again, spears can’t be used to catch the type of fish you’ll find in High Point Lake. Grab your favorite fishing rod and get ready to catch some:
- Pike
- Perch
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Largemouth bass
Regardless of the type of fish you want to catch, you’ll want to bring a thin fishing line. Use a jigging rod to catch perch, crappie, or bluegill, and a terminal rig for the rest. As far as tips go, medium-sized minnows are generally best across all species.
4. Lake Wallenpaupack
Drive toward the New York border and you’ll find one of Pennsylvania’s biggest lakes. Lake Wallenpaupack is a whopping 5,700 acres, located south of Hawley, PA and east of Scranton in the Poconos Mountains.
Because Lake Wallenpaupack is so big, you never know just what you’ll catch — which we think is part of the fun! The Fish & Boat Commission stocks the lake with striped bass, arguably the main attraction, but you’ll also find:
- Perch
- Bluegill
- Walleye
- Crappie
- Pickerel
- Channel catfish
Want to catch whatever you can? Lake Wallenpaupack is the place for you.
When to Ice Fish at Lake Wallenpaupack
As one of the largest lakes in Pennsylvania, Lake Wallenpaupack takes quite some time to freeze over enough for ice fishing. Early winter is usually a no-go, but some ice fishing enthusiasts get around this by focusing on the coves.
As any good fisherman knows, knowing ice thickness is key to a safe and successful fishing trip. But that can be hard to guess on this lake. In some years, Lake Wallenpaupack has over 20 inches of ice. Other years, it only has around eight inches.
The Fishing & Boat Commission has also warned residents of rapidly changing, inconsistent ice thickness in recent years, so check the ice report and bring something to check the safety before you venture out onto the ice. Some parts of the lake reach a 60-foot depth, and you don’t want to take any chances.
What Should I Bring to Lake Wallenpaupack?
Like most of the lakes in Pennsylvania, Lake Wallenpaupack is not approved for spear use. While catfish are one of the species approved for spearfishing, spears are not approved for trout waters — and since the Fish & Boat Commission stocks the lake with brown trout, spears are a no-no.
Most of the people who ice fish at Lake Wallenpaupack are looking for striped bass. If you want to catch some of these beauties, bring along some jigging spoons or raps tipped with chicken liver.
A lot of ice fishers say it takes a while to get a bite. But since there are so many different species of fish in this vast lake, you’ll leave happy if you just wait long enough.
5. Canoe Creek Lake
Canoe Creek Lake is located within Canoe Creek State Park in central Pennsylvania, just east of Altoona. It’s a relatively small impoundment at 155 acres, but its location within the park means great public access.
If you’re looking to catch trout or muskellunge, this is the place to go. The Fish & Boat Commission has stocked muskellunge in Canoe Creek Lake for decades, some of which can reach nearly 40 inches. The PFBC also routinely stocks rainbow and brown trout, which also grow to some pretty impressive sizes.
When to Ice Fish at Canoe Creek Lake
Ice fishing is especially popular at Canoe Creek Lake during trout season, which runs from early September to mid-February. If you want to catch some big trout, head toward the deep west end of the lake. Don’t worry too much about how you’ll access the west end — there’s a boat launch right there.
Another popular method among the ice fishing community is fishing around the lake’s fish-attracting structures. Look around the southern end for things like:
- Stumps
- Stake trees
- Rock piles
Keep in mind that Canoe Creek State Park does not monitor ice thickness. Because Canoe Creek Lake is in a relatively central location, where it doesn’t get as cold in the winter as the northern part of the state, it’s important to carefully check the thickness before you venture out.
What Should I Bring to Canoe Creek Lake?
The ice fishers who go to Canoe Creek Lake are after one of two species — trout or muskellunge. There are only fishing rods allowed here due to the trout population, so you’ll have to leave your spears at home.
The right tips are key to a successful trip. And like usual, the species you want to catch will dictate what you should use.
| Type of Fish | Best Tips |
| Trout | Small minnows |
| Muskellunge | Large minnows and suckers |
Here’s an extra tip for you. The trout at Canoe Creek Lake can be hard to pinpoint, so most ice fishers set multiple tip-ups at different depths. See which depths get the best bites, then focus your energy on those to maximize your catch!
6. Beechwood Lake
What kind of list would this be if we didn’t mention Beechwood Lake?! Located in Tioga County, PA and nestled between Gaines and Westfield, Beechwood Lake is the home of the annual CV Anglers Ice Fishing Tournament.
Spread over only 67 acres, Beechwood Lake is one of the smaller ice fishing lakes you’ll find in the state. But there are two species you can always count on — trout and walleye. Other species you might find here include:
- Bluegill
- Black crappie
- Chain pickerel
There is a public access site for easy parking, located on the east side of the lake off of Beechwood Road.
When to Ice Fish at Beechwood Lake
Beechwood Lake has a geographical advantage when it comes to ice fishing. It’s way up in Tioga County, close to the New York border, which makes it one of the coldest locations in the state.
Winter highs average 40 degrees Fahrenheit around here, and lows average 20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can usually count on good ice fishing from December to February, even during warmer years. But, you might want to bring an ice hut to keep yourself comfortable.
Unfortunately for anyone who doesn’t like trekking through snow, the best ice fishing is usually done on the side of the lake opposite the public access site. If you’ll be out there for a while, bring some trail mix to keep your energy up.
What Should I Bring to Beechwood Lake?
Small jigging spoons are a must-have at Beechwood Lake. To catch the lake’s famous rainbow trout and walleye, try tipping your rod with any of the following baits:
- Corn
- Maggots
- Mealworms
We’d recommend these three baits. But, some people have also had luck tipping with small baitfish.
The trout around here tend to move from deep to shallow water. Drill your first hole in shallow waters near some fish-attracting structures, then see how things play out. Not working out? Keep moving into deeper waters until you get some bites.
Fishing Through the Seasons in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is known for its vast lakes and healthy fishing opportunities. Whether you travel up north to Presque Isle Bay or drive down south to High Point Lake, you’ll never need to go too long without fresh fish in this great state!
Before you head out for a day of fun on the ice, take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and anyone you take along on your journey. Look at all posted bulletins to make sure the ice is strong enough to walk on, bring plenty of safety and cold weather gear, and make sure you tell someone at home exactly where you’ll be.
