Fishing is a very popular activity in Sweet Arrow Lake. You can fish from any shore. There is no private property extending to the shoreline of the 60 acre lake. The most popular areas are the Fish and Boat Access Area on Sweet Arrow Lake Road and the newly created Special Needs Access Area in front of the Clubhouse off route 443.
Through a cooperative efforts of the PA Fish and Boat Commission and various sportsman's groups, a significant amount of habitat has been places in the lake. This has improved the fishing dramatically.
Several weeks of ice fishing is normal. Ice thickness is NOT monitored. Proceed at your own risk.
The lake contains:
Largemouth Bass
***Rainbow, Brook, Brown and Golden Trout
Chain Pickerel
Muskellunge
Bullhead catfish
Channel Catfish
Crappie Bass
Perch
Carp
Sunfish and Bluegills
Suckers and various minnows
*** About 3000 trout are stocked annually including 100 "Lunkers" greater than 20" in length.
Boating
Boats can be launched from the Fish and Boat Access Area along Sweet Arrow Lake Road.
Special Needs Access Area --Located near the Clubhouse on Clubhouse Road off Rt 443
Canoes and kayaks can be launched there as well or at the Special Needs Access near the Clubhouse. If you launch at the Special Needs Access, you must park your vehicle in the regular parking lot. Fishermen with special needs may park within feet of the waterfront trail.
Fish and Boat Access Area
Annual Trout Stockings in Sweet Arrow Lake
-Every Year before the first day of trout season, 2,000 trout from the Swatara Cooperative Trout Nursery and Pine Grove Fish and Game Cooperative Nursery. ·· Other Trout Stockings– by the PA Fish and Boat Commission.
LUNKERS
The Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association (NSCWA) needs your continued help. The association stocked 100 big fish or ‘Lunkers’ in Sweet Arrow Lake last May. Many reports of ‘Lunker’ catches were reported!
Fundraising for this year's Lunker stocking is underway!
The 20 to 24 inch ‘Lunker’ Golden and Rainbow trout were distributed from the Boat access area in ‘floats’ by volunteer boaters last year. For those that did not witness the stocking, ‘these fish were awesome’!
The NSCWA is encourages anyone who would like to donate to the current year ‘Lunker’ stocking to consider a donation now so that the ‘Lunkers’ can be ordered.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Sweet Arrow Lake Trout ‘Lunker’ Stocking project may send checks to the NSCWA, 629 Mountain Road, Pine Grove, PA 17963.
Hunting
Hunting and trapping is prohibited on Park land. Bow hunting ONLY is permitted on Park property East from the bridge at the intersection of Wolfes Road and Sweet Arrow Lake Road and must be done in accordance with the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations.
Do I need a license to fish in Sweet Arrow Lake and its tributaries?
Yes. A current Pennsylvania fishing license, signed in ink and displayed (attach to a hat or outer garment), is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any species of fish. A license is also needed to take fishbait or baitfish. Casting and/or retrieving whether by rod, reel and line, or by handline, for oneself or another person, requires a current license unless specifically exempted by law.
Do I need a fishing license to take my young child fishing?
An adult who assists a child by casting or retrieving a fishing line or fishing rod is not required to possess a valid fishing license provided that the child remains within arms’ reach of the assisting adult and is actively involved in the fishing activity.
An adult may assist a child by baiting hooks, removing fish from the line, netting fish, preparing the fishing rod for use and untangling the line without possessing a valid fishing license.
An adult is required to possess a fishing license if they intend to set the hook for the child.
Ice fishing and ice skating is allowed on Sweet Arrow Lake. Ice Fishing is very popular and will result in a nice catch of panfish and trout. ICE THICKNESS IS NOT MONITORED by the park. Go out on the ice at your own risk. See the ice activity chart to determine if it is safe.
SWEET ARROW LAKE IS APPROVED TROUT WATER OPEN TO YEAR-ROUND FISHING
Waters with this designation are considered “approved trout waters.” From 8 a.m. opening day of trout through Sep. 3, Commonwealth inland size and creel limits apply. From Jan. 1 through Feb. 29, and from Sep. 4 through Dec. 31, “extended season” size and creel limits apply. These waters are open to fishing from March 1 through opening day of trout season; however, no trout may be taken or possessed on these waters during this period.
A trout/salmon permit is not required to fish in lakes and ponds that have been designated as approved trout waters open to year-round fishing unless the person takes, kills, or possesses, while in the act of fishing, a trout or salmon on or in these waters.
This designation does not change the seasons and daily creel limit. This just allows you to fish for other species, such as panfish, catties or suckers, when trout fishing is closed because of preseason stocking.
Cold Water Life Jacket Reminder
Don't forget that from Nov. 1 to April 30, you must "wear a Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device (PFD) while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak." This regulation was put into effect in 2012.
We want everyone to be safe enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. Consider the benefits of wearing a life jacket when walking on the ice and ice fishing, too!
