Conewago Lake in Lebanon County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Lebanon County entry here is Conewago Lake, in Pennsylvania. The country here is open valley. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. It lies lower than most water we list in Pennsylvania. 4.2 miles away sits Cornwall, the nearest town. Then Campbelltown, 6.1 miles, and Annville, 6.2 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Conewago Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Lebanon County, recorded fish include bluegill, white crappie, brown trout, largemouth bass and black crappie. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Conewago Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 73°F and January at 28°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Conewago Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. A car park sits roughly half a mile away. A jetty or pier is mapped about 100 yards from here. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Cornwall Reservoir is 4.1 miles distant. None of that is settled for Conewago Lake in what we hold.