Lake Francis Fishing Guide, Bedford County, Pennsylvania

• Overview

  You will find Lake Francis in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. It sits at 1,283 feet above sea level. The nearest place of any size is Bedford, 8.8 miles away. Beyond it, Central City at 11 miles and Everett at 16 miles. Alternatives close at hand: Shawnee Lake 3.2 miles, Milburn Spring Reservoir a touch under 7.1 miles, Todd Spring Reservoir 7.7 miles, John C Smith Reservoir a touch under 7.8 miles and Sportsmans Lake 9.2 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Francis

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Records held for Bedford County cover bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Lake Francis light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 27°F to 71°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Plan around that when you fish Lake Francis. Conditions on the day matter more than the month on the calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Shawnee Lake sits 3.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Lake Francis locally before you travel.