Lake Wallenpaupack

Mega Water Recreation at Lake Wallenpaupack

by Alex Zidock Jr. photo-courtesy of Lighthouse Harbor Marina photo inset-Alex Zidock Jr. At the visitor center near the dam (PFBC) launch ramp with boat trailer parking. On summer at Lake Wallenpaupack, Pike and weekends and holidays, the popular launch is very busy. At Wayne counties, there is an old Mangan Cove, there is a specially constructed handicap access dugout canoe on display. Now area. The second handicap access area is at Ironwood Point protected from the elements, the Recreation Area. canoe is a reminder of days gone I have not been able to turn up written records of what by when Minisink, Lenape and Paupack Native Americans few species of fish were native to the Wallenpaupack River, used the Wallenpaupack River for transportation. Dammed but through the efforts of PFBC, there are now 26 species and flooded in 1926, a portion of the river became a lake. of fish that call the lake their home. Fish stockings in recent Canoes are still abundant, but paddleboats, kayaks, personal years include mostly Striped Bass, Walleyes and Channel watercraft, row boats, runabouts, sailing vessels, pontoon Catfish. However, in the past, the Commission introduced boats, fishing boats and cruisers are also plentiful. You can Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappies even take a ride on a parasail. and even tiger muskellunge to the lake. The healthy Alewife Lake Wallenpaupack is a hydroelectric facility owned population keeps larger fish fed. Dock and shoreline anglers and operated by PPL under the guidelines of the Federal catch abundant Yellow Perch, assorted panfish and catfish. Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). A steel, 14-foot Plentiful Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass keep wide enclosed flow line carries water from the 1,280 foot long recreational and tournament anglers casting, pitching and and 70 foot high dam near Hawley, 3.5 miles to the power flipping lures around and between the many private docks generating turbines capable of producing 44 megawatts of the 1,500 lakefront property owners. Most homes around of electricity, enough power for about 35,000 homes. The the lake are vacation properties. Somewhat unique to Lake by-product of this commercial venture is a 5,700-acre lake Wallenpaupack is that PPL owns most of the lake shoreline. that is 13 miles long and reaches 60 feet deep in some places. Since hybrid striped bass and purebred Striped Bass were Dubbed the “Gem of the Poconos,” Lake Wallenpaupack introduced in the early 1980s, these feisty jumbo bass are has become the prime destination for those in northeastern regularly reaching 20 pounds with some a bit heavier. The Pennsylvania seeking extensive water recreation. lake record is just above 30 pounds. Although all buildings Along the lake’s 52-mile shoreline, and positioned around and structures were razed and mostly removed during dam the lake, PPL maintains four camping and recreation areas construction, concrete foundations, old bridge piers and open for general camping from the last Saturday in April similar objects provide cover for fish. The irregular bottom through the third Sunday in October. Beside regular camping from the original riverbed to the natural contour of humps amenities, each campground has a boat launch, boat docks, and points appeal to the lifestyle of many fish species. small store, showers and many campsites close to the water. Contour maps of the lake are available at area sport shops and Each of the launch ramps charges a nominal fee for boat campground stores. launching and each rents boat slips. Near the dam at Mangan Boating on Lake Wallenpaupack takes on many forms. Cove, there is a free Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission The lake allows unlimited horsepower. However, there

54 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2014 PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat “Cast for Cash” to Promote Awareness As a tool to raise awareness for the watershed and generate resources for lake photo-Alex Zidock Jr. Striped Bass provide exciting action early and late saving projects, the Lake Wallenpaupack in the Lake Wallenpaupack season. Watershed Management District along with Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau is photo-courtesy Pocono Mountains Pocono Visitors Bureau photo-courtesy sponsoring a summer-long fishing contest on Lake Wallenpaupack. With help from PFBC, 49 fish of 8 different species were tagged and released throughout the lake. The idea behind the “Cast for Cash” contest is that anglers who make up a large percentage of those who use the lake will spend time on the watershed website when they pre-register to be eligible for prizes. It seems a natural way for the watershed to promote the lake and the work that the watershed board of directors does to monitor water quality and remediate water quality infringements to the lake. The top prize being offered is $5,000, and the minimum prize value of the other 48 tags is $100. For complete rules and additional information, visit www.wallenpaupackwatershed.org. The contest runs until September 30, 2014. photo-PFBC archives

This year, the annual Wally Lake Fest will take place August 22 through August 24. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/wallylakefest.

PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2014 55 Boat rentals of all sizes are available from a variety of marinas on Lake Wallenpaupack. For those who just want to sit back and enjoy an informational tour of the lake, there is the Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour. photo-Alex Zidock Jr. are a few no-wake or no-ski areas on weekends and major holidays. The majority of boats on the lake are family fun boats, ski and wakeboard boats, fishing boats and plenty of personal watercraft. Several marinas rent all types of boats from paddleboards and kayaks to personal watercraft and fishing boats as well as larger pontoon boats that can accommodate up to a dozen friends and family for a day’s outing. If you want to spend some time on the water but don’t want to rent a boat, there is a sightseeing boat that offers short trips, longer excursions or special event trips. Parasailing has been featured on the lake for the past few years. The specially designed boat, with professionally trained parasailing crew and a parasail harness that can accommodate one or two people at a time, is in operation on weekdays and non-holidays. Bring your water-resistant camera for some great lake shots. The only public beach on Lake Wallenpaupack is in Palmyra Township directly in back of the newly constructed Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau (PMVB) visitor center. The beach is open daily, weather permitting, and there is a nominal fee. Infants and seniors over 65 are complimentary. There are four islands in Lake Wallenpaupack—Burns Island, Cairns Island, Epply Island and Kipp Island— available for picnicking, birding and hiking. In recent years, American Bald Eagles have taken a liking to one tall pine tree on Kipp Island, the second largest island in the lake, and built a nest. The island has been closed until the end of July each season to protect the eagle nesting area. Boaters park just outside the restricted area to watch the eagles and get some great photographs. The Wallenpaupack Creek Trail is a great vantage point of lake activities and wetlands observations. For 1.5 miles, the trail begins at the parking area near the Tafton Dike, goes across the dike and winds along the lake to the PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center. From there, it approaches the dam and for a while follows the flow line and the original riverbed, offering photo opportunities of many wetland species of birds and amphibians. If you are planning a trip to Lake Wallenpaupack, you can get information from PMVB at www.800poconos.com or call 1-800-POCONOS (1-800-762-6667). A stop at the PMVB visitor center on Route 6, Hawley, is a must to find all the happenings in the Lake Region. Direct contact with the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitor Center is 570-226-2141.

56 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2014 PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat