Richard Lake Fishing in Pike County, Pennsylvania

• Overview

  Look for Richard Lake in Pike County, Pennsylvania. It sits in pine and birch. Roughly 34 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Birchwood Lakes sits 2.1 miles from the bank. For a city, Paterson is 45 miles off. Within a short run: Kiel Lake 0.8 miles away, Long Ridge Reservation Reservoir sits 0.8 miles out, Wild Acres Lake 1.1 miles away, North Lake sits 1.4 miles out and Lower Birchwood Lake 1.5 miles away. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Richard Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Survey and observation records for Pike County include yellow perch, brown trout, bluegill and smallmouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Richard Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 69°F in July and bottoms out near 24°F in January. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. From about late March to around late December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It holds true on Richard Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Kiel Lake, 0.8 miles out. Nothing on Richard Lake should be assumed from this page alone.