First impressions are not always the best indicator of how something really is, which is exactly the case with Lake Nessmuk. Your first look at this 60-acre impoundment would lead you to believe that it is nothing more than a shallow, weed-filled pond, but looking under the water’s surface you will find a great fishery, one so good that it has drawn me back to its shoreline numerous times.
My most recent trip happened to coincide with the spawning period for largemouth bass. This was not the species I intended to target on this trip, but I did catch a few. While I did not catch any trophy class bass, I did manage to see enough fish of that size to convince me that this small impoundment is indeed a great largemouth fishing destination.
The lake is best known for its prolific panfish population, with an abundance of bluegills and pumpkinseeds inhabiting the lake. Yellow perch and black crappies are also present, and it was these latter two species that drew my attention to the water. The lake has a well-defined weed line on the outer edge of the shallow-water area, and it is this edge that is the key spot to fish for perch and crappies.
The hottest local method, and one that I have used here successfully in the past, is to tie on a small jig with a rubber body and then place a bobber above it. You adjust the bobber on your line to allow the jig to ride about a foot off the bottom. This is something that needs to be adjusted periodically as you fish your way around the lake, but this method is worth the effort. This method works best when the wind creates a chop on the water, allowing the bobber to naturally rise and fall with the small waves. The action makes the jig to look alive and will attract and catch nearly any of the species that inhabit the impoundment.
The lake is nearly gin clear most of the year, so light tackle and a stealthy approach aid in catching these fish. For the most part, the lake is shallow, but the creek channel that runs through the center of the lake is slightly over 20 feet deep near the dam. This deeper portion can be the key place to fish during the warm-weather months of summer or perhaps during the winter ice-fishing season. However, it is predominantly the weed growth that most anglers key on to catch fish. While electronics could be helpful in allowing you to locate the edges, in the clear water you can pick out the edge of the growth simply by using a good pair of polarized sunglasses.
To gear up for your trip to this body of water, keep in mind that the forage base is limited to insects and small fish of other species. The bass predominately key on small bluegills, so mimicking that species is a good idea when choosing lures for bass. That is not to say that other approaches won’t work; it just seems to be far easier to catch these largemouths when you toss something their way that looks similar to what they are used to eating.
As for the perch, bluegills, and crappie, these species will bite on most any live bait that fits into their small mouths, as well as small jigs and flies. Typical of a smaller body of water, the panfish there are numerous but not large. If you are interested in some fish for the frying pan, you will usually be able to catch a handful of keeper-sized fish over the course of a day, but the average bluegill and perch runs about six inches in length, and the crappies will go about eight inches.
One species that may surprise you in this lake is the chain pickerel. Though not stocked in this lake by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, there have been a few that show up in surveys conducted on the lake by biologists. With all of the weed growth and an abundance of panfish for prey, these fish can attain trophy-sized status in this body of water.
The lake lies adjacent to Route 287 on the southern side of the town of Wellsboro. It is quite convenient for traveling anglers, as the town offers all the amenities that any visiting angler could want within just a short drive to the lake.
The lake has a combination fishing pier and boat launching area on its southern end. The lake is limited to unpowered watercraft or boats powered by electric motors and is an excellent choice for those who fish out of canoes or even for those who like to use float tubes.
The fishing pier and immediate area around it see the bulk of the shoreline fishing pressure. The rest of the lake shoreline is surrounded by high grass, trees, and thick brush, which can prevent you from getting around it. You may want to opt for the use of waders to get around the shallows for access to other areas that are not subject to the great amount of fishing pressure that the pier gets.
If you do choose to do shoreline wading, be aware that the lake has a large population of muskrats and some resident beavers. You could be wading along on what looks like a solid bottom, only to step on a thin layer of soil that covers a den entrance and end up waist deep in water. A wading staff to check the solidity of the bottom would be a good idea if you opt for this approach.
Don’t forget to bring along your camera too, as the lake attracts a variety of wildlife to its edges, particularly waterfowl and shorebirds. You may witness Canada geese, mallards, wood ducks, rails, whitetails, muskrats, and more during your visit.
Your fishing trip can also be combined with a family outing. Adjacent to the lake is a picnic pavilion where you can cook up your catch on a charcoal grill. In addition, several picnic tables are scattered about a small area near the district forest office located at the turnoff to the lake off Route 287. There are also several programs conducted at this facility over the course of the summer months, one of the most popular being stargazing.
Lake Nessmuk is one of those places that any traveling fisherman ought to put on his or her list of places to visit. This lake, coupled with the many other fishing opportunities in the Tioga County region, is just one of the many areas of the Keystone State where your memories are just waiting to be made.
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