Fishing at Paupackan Lake, Wayne County, Pennsylvania

• Overview

  Paupackan Lake is one of the Wayne County listings for Pennsylvania. It stands 1,339 feet above sea level. About 252 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The perimeter runs near 4.4 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It ranks high for size among our Wayne County listings. Start from The Hideout, 3.6 miles down the road. Allentown sits 60 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Paupackan Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Across Wayne County, recorded fish include yellow perch, bluegill, largemouth bass and brown trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Paupackan Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 22°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate figures give an open season running early April to late December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Plan any trip to Paupackan Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Cobb Pond at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. What applies at Paupackan Lake may have changed since it was mapped.