Stillwater Lake Fishing Guide, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

• Overview

  Stillwater Lake lies within the bounds of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It lies 1,575 feet above sea level. It measures about 84 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. A shoreline of some 1.9 miles keeps the choices simple. Few waters listed in Susquehanna County are bigger. Forest City at 3.7 miles is the nearest place to stop. After that come Simpson at 7.7 miles and Carbondale at 9 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Stillwater Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Public occurrence data for Susquehanna County names brown trout, brook trout and smallmouth bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Read Stillwater Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 66°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Break-up near early April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Stillwater Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. There is a mapped slipway roughly 100 yards away. A car park lies 100 yards away, so the walk in is short. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Coterell Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Stillwater Lake is worth confirming on the day.