Fords Lake Fishing Guide, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

• Overview

  In Pennsylvania, Fords Lake falls inside Lackawanna County. The water sits 1,145 feet up. The water covers some 69 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Roughly 1.6 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. Clarks Summit at 2.9 miles is the nearest place to stop. Allentown is the closest city, 63 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Fords Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Survey and observation records for Lackawanna County include brown trout, bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Fords Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 23°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Count the season from break-up, usually late March. The water is typically free of ice between late March and late December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. The season on Fords Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Gravel Pond at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Fords Lake carry more weight than any list.