www.fi sh.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July-August 2006 13

B e s t F i s h i n g a n d B o a t i n g i n P A S t a t e P a r k s

NockamixonState Parkby Carl Haensel

Nockamixon State Park is a jewel of open space in rapidly developing east-ern Pennsylvania. Located in north-ern Bucks County, its 5,283 acres surround the largest lake in the area, 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon. The lake is roughly 7 miles long with an average width of a quarter-mile to a half-mile. Many accesses, sheltered bays, and a boat rental make this lake a popular choice for anglers and boat-ers. An engine size limit of 20hp keeps wakes to a minimum. Common fi sh in the lake include bluegills, crap-pies, white perch, striped bass, mus-

kellunge, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleyes and channel catfi sh. Common forage fi sh in the lake include gizzard shad and alewives.

Largemouth bassOne of the most popular sport

fi shes targeted in the lake is the large-mouth bass. A good place to start searching for them is the lake’s upper end. Put your boat in at the Three Mile Run access and begin by fi shing the weed beds along the western area of the lake.

If you’re looking for bass while fi sh-ing the deeper eastern end of the lake, fi sh the shoreline structure and the underwater cliffs. Though the lake holds fewer smallmouth bass, this is one area where you can look for the lake’s smallies.

Lake Nockamixon also hosts chain pickerel and muskellunge. Both of these toothy predators will hit shiny and fl ashy lures such as spoons and spinners. Using over-sized lures can increase your odds of hooking a mus-kellunge. Larger lures can also keep smaller pickerel off your line. Anglers

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State Park Hunting

Lake Towhee County Park

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Map courtesy of the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Conservation and Natural Resources

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July-August 2006 www.fi sh.state.pa.us 16

report good numbers of chain picker-el in the lake’s Haycock Arm. Catch-ing pickerel in the 20-inch to 25-inch range is possible.

Catfi shAnglers targeting channel catfi sh

will fi nd that fi shing is best at night. Try using chicken livers, shiners or shrimp. Catching a 30-inch channel cat is certainly possible, and fi sh over 20 inches are commonplace. Keep in mind that even though the park’s day-use areas are closed at night, the lake is open to fi shing 24 hours a day. Fishing at night is also a great way to get away from the crowds on summer weekends.

Anglers should also note that heavy summer storms bring channel catfi sh to the mouths of tributary streams. The mouth of Haycock Run is a good location for this action.

Striped bassAnglers searching for striped bass

will fi nd them most often in the area of the lake from the Tohickon cove to the Haycock boat access. Some anglers use downriggers to get their baits deep enough to fi nd the striped bass in the summer. The area be-tween the dam and the Tohickon cove is especially deep and is a good loca-tion for this activity. Shad or alewife imitations may be your best bet for these big fi sh. Try jigs, stickbaits and

soft baits, depending on the location of the fi sh. Some anglers look for schooling baitfi sh and then cast into these schools, hoping to catch the stripers in this manner.

Shore fi shingIf you’re interested in fi shing but

don’t have a boat, this state park offers plenty of options. Try starting at the fi shing pier south of the park offi ce off of PA Route 563, which is the pri-mary access road for the park. Take the trail from the pier area along the lake toward the marina. Several coves provide easy access. Anglers should note that fi shing is not allowed from the docks at the marina. Shore fi sh-ing is also good near the PA Route 563 bridge over the Haycock Arm. Try fi shing between the bridge and the Haycock boat access. Stripers, bass, eels, crappies and channel catfi sh can be caught here, among other species. This is a good location with easy ac-cess, and it’s a good bet for families with children.

Another good shore location is the south side of the lake near the dam breast at the dead end off of Mink Road. During early spring this area is good for striped bass. Panfi sh and channel catfi sh can be found there as well. The lake there is not very deep within casting range of shore, and there’s plenty of parking. You can also head west along the lake to a large point that offers casting access to deeper water.

Anglers with children should note that there is also a fi shing pond near the marina. The pond doesn’t offer a lot of size, but it can be a good option for kids.

BoatingAnglers and recreational boaters

should note that the park concession offers canoes, kayaks, motorboats, rowboats, sailboats, paddleboats and pontoon boats. For information on rates, contact the boat rental offi ce directly at 215-538-1340. The park marina has docking facilities for 648

For More Information For additional information on

fi shing, current boating regula-tions, maps, and more park infor-mation, visit these web sites: www.fi sh.state.pa.us and www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/nockamixon.aspx.

Looking to stay in the area? An-glers and boaters should note that there is no tent camping allowed in the state park. A limited num-ber of rustic cabins are available. Open fi res are not allowed in the park, though there are some char-coal grills. Contact the park offi ce at 215-529-7300 with questions.

Located just west of the state park is a Bucks County Park, Lake Towhee, where there are several dozen tent camping sites available. It’s a good fi shery as well, and popular for its pan-fi sh. Call Bucks County Parks at 215-348-6114.

Nockamixon NotablesIn the Commission’s Angler

Award Program from 2000 through 2004, the following catches were made at Lake Nockamixon: Eight largemouth bass, seven small-mouth bass, three striped bass, one bluegill, two carp, 16 channel cat-fi sh, four crappies, 18 pickerel, and four walleyes.

For more information on the Angler Award Program, visit the Commission’s web site, www.fi sh.state.pa.us. On the main page’s left side, click on “Fishing,” navi-gate to “Biggest Fish of 2005,” and then click on “Angler Award Pro-gram Rules and Application.”

boats up to 24 feet in length. There is also an 85-space dry storage for boats on trailers. Because of the demand for marina space, a waiting list is main-tained at the park offi ce for seasonal slips and dry storage spaces.

Carl Haensel is the Fish & Boat Com-mission’s Southeast Region aquatic re-sources program specialist.

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