Guide to Fishing Lake Nockamixon 2024 | OutdoorWorld Reviews (2024)

Lake Nockamixon is a 1,450-acre lake located close to Richland, north of Pittsburg. It’s a popular lake within a popular park that offers a lot of amenities for both the locals and visiting tourists.

The lake is loaded with a variety of fish and the park offers boat launch ramps, camping (both primitive and RV), and boat rentals. There are a few rules that anglers have to follow if they want to access the lake but it’s nothing overly onerous.

Fishing Lake Nockamixon is one of the biggest draws in the area, but anglers are prohibited from fishing on the boat docks, off bridges, below the spillway, or in the boat rental marina. Other than that, the lake is wide open for anglers of every stripe.

Is Lake Nockamixon Good for Fishing

Guide to Fishing Lake Nockamixon 2024 | OutdoorWorld Reviews (1)Lake Nockamixon is excellent for fishing. It was originally formed when the dam was constructed on Tohickon Creek. Not only is it a great place for fishing, but it’s also a great place to spend the day. Anglers can expect a warm and friendly environment and a relaxing day out on the water.

The park even provides water depth maps, for anglers unfamiliar with the underwater topography, in both black & white or color. They also provide anglers with the locations of all the underwater habitat structures, so you don’t have to experience the lake so much as study it beforehand.

Outside of the few restrictions from fishing from certain areas, anglers have a lot of choices, including fishing from the banks, on a boat, with kayaks, and ice fishing during the winter months. If you don’t have a boat, there are several boat rental accommodations onsite, including kayaks, sailboats, canoes, and small john boats.

What Kind of Fish Species are Present

Guide to Fishing Lake Nockamixon 2024 | OutdoorWorld Reviews (2)Another excellent reason to go fishing at Lake Nockamixon is the variety of fish there. It’s known as a “big bass” area, and the lake includes largemouth bass, striped bass, and smallmouth bass. But it doesn’t stop at just bass.

  • Channel Catfish
  • Carp
  • Walleye
  • Chain Pickerel
  • Muskellunge
  • Panfish
  • Black Crappie
  • Tiger Muskie
  • Bluegill
  • White Crappie
  • Yellow Perch
  • White Perch
  • Pumpkinseed Sunfish
  • White Catfish

That’s quite a lot of fish, and none of the above-listed fish are limited in terms of population numbers. If you set your rig up for any one of them, you’re likely to do well. Of course, Pennsylvania has its own laws and regulations concerning some fish, so be sure to catch up on all the legal language before you head out.

Since the park offers plenty of camping and picnicking options, you can spend an entire weekend out on the water, sleep, and cook your catch each day. The camping options are affordable and prevalent. Whether you are throwing up a tent or rolling in with an RV, there is usually plenty of room.

Amenities

Guide to Fishing Lake Nockamixon 2024 | OutdoorWorld Reviews (3)Nockamixon State Park is loaded with amenities for tourists, locals, and anglers from all over. There is something to accommodate everyone. It’s a beautiful state park and a great place to spend the weekend, whether you plan on fishing or not.

  • Wheelchair accessible throughout
  • Fly fishing
  • Plenty of piers and docks
  • Several boat launches
  • Primitive camping options
  • RV camping
  • Hiking trails
  • Picnic areas
  • Bank fishing
  • Maps of the area and underwater topography maps
  • Boat rentals
  • Public restrooms
  • Underwater fish habitats

If you’re going for the fishing, it would be hard to find a palace that is more accommodating than Lake Nockamixon. The rules of the park, limiting some fishing areas, are only designed for obvious reasons, such as boat docks and areas where fishing would get in the way.

Bottom Line

Lake Nockamixon is an excellent place to go fishing in Pennsylvania. Its located just north of Pittsburg and is a popular attraction for tourists, hikers, campers, and anglers from all over. The lake covers 1,450 acres of real estate and is loaded with a wide variety of fish.

For bass enthusiasts, Lake Nockamixon is one of the more attractive fishing holes in the state, with largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass in abundance. Lake Nockamixon has some rules for anglers, but the park goes out of its way to accommodate them.

If you’re looking for your next big fishing hole where you can be confident of success, Lake Nockamixon is a great spot to try out. If you’re up for a little camping, you can make a fishing weekend out of it.

Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides.

Guide to Fishing Lake Nockamixon 2024 | OutdoorWorld Reviews (2024)

FAQs

Is Lake Nockamixon good for fishing? ›

The 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon is a warmwater fishery and classified a Big Bass Lake. Common species are: Walleye.

Are there catfish in Lake Nockamixon? ›

Explore the fishing regulations for Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Yellow perch, White catfish, Black crappie, Walleye and others, as of July 4, 2024, to ensure you are in compliance with the latest rules.

Can you fish Lake Nockamixon at night? ›

The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The park office is open specific hours. Fishing and boating is permitted 24 hours-a-day in designated areas.

How deep is Lake Nockamixon? ›

This dam created a 6.4 mile long lake with 24 miles of shoreline and 1,450 acres of water. The deepest part of the lake is about 90 feet deep. The deepest part of the lake is located behind the dam.

What is the biggest catfish caught in PA? ›

The fish ended up weighing a total of 66 pounds and 6 ounces, smashing the previous record. It was 50.25 inches long and had a girth of 35 inches, though Pennsylvania only counts weight towards the record. After a waterways conservation officer verified the weight and species, the fish was released back into the river.

Where do big catfish hide in lakes? ›

In large lakes (those that are actually impoundments) catfish, especially big ones will hang out along an old creek and river channels in deep water. They move to shallower depths to feed, especially at night, and the flats adjacent to channels offer especially good fishing.

Is it safe to swim in Lake Nockamixon? ›

Swimming opportunities are only available at the Nockamixon State Park pool. Swimming is prohibited in Lake Nockamixon.

Which of the Finger Lakes is best for fishing? ›

If you want to catch a large lake trout or Atlantic salmon, Cayuga and Seneca lakes are the top choices. If you're interested more in sheer numbers of lake trout, Keuka Lake is a better bet. If rainbow trout are your target, Skaneateles Lake is known for numbers, while Cayuga, Seneca or Canadauguia are known for size.

Which Great lake has the best fishing? ›

Lake Huron. With over 3,000 islands and the longest shoreline of all the Great Lakes, Lake Huron is an unmissable fishing destination. Split almost perfectly down the middle by the border between Michigan and Ontario, this impressive watershed is a dream come true for all passionate freshwater anglers.

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