Pickerel Lake near Hemlock Farms: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Pickerel Lake in the Pike County part of Pennsylvania. It lies 1,316 feet above sea level. At about 154 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. You are looking at roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. It is among the larger waters listed here for Pike County. Hemlock Farms lies 5.5 miles from the water. Then Conashaugh Lakes, 5.9 miles, and Sunrise Lake, 7 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Pickerel Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Records held for Pike County cover yellow perch, brown trout, bluegill and smallmouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Pickerel Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 68°F; by January the average is down near 22°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near late December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Pickerel Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Porters Lake sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Pickerel Lake before loading the car.