Pennsylvania’s major city of Philadelphia has the largest population in the state, housing well over 1.5 million people. Though the city areas like Rittenhouse Square that boast lush, parklike beauty for casual strolls, nothing beats a nearby escape from the urban noise to the great outdoors. About an hour and a half north of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) via Interstate 476 is Nockamixon State Park, where you’ll find quiet seclusion at a plentiful lake surrounded by miles of outdoor trails away from the hustle and bustle. Not only is it a relaxing spot for a day trip, but it is also one of the best places in Pennsylvania for bass fishing. Angling enthusiasts will not want to miss the opportunity to pack their finest gear and hit the shores of Lake Nockamixon.
The state park is located in Quakertown, about 20 miles southeast of Allentown, an artsy Pennsylvania city with world-class bites. It spans 5,286 acres with the 1,450-acre reservoir as the highlight. Nockamixon State Park is open all year from sunrise to sunset, and there are designated areas of the park that are open at all hours for boating and fishing. Three different rivers in the area sustain the lake: Tohickon Creek, Three Mile Run, and Haycock Run. Part of what makes Nockamixon Lake such a popular spot for fishing is that it is classified as a Big Bass Lake and a warm-water fishery that can support a wide variety of species. The park also serves as a rookery (breeding place) for large birds like blue herons and bald eagles.
Fishing for bass at Lake Nockamixon
The best time to fish at Nockamixon is in the summer when the boat rental facilities are open. At the park, there is a boat rental concession and a marina that operates along the lake. Here, you can get rowboats, motorboats, canoes, sailboats, paddleboats, and fishing pontoons. The lake has five different launching points, with the biggest one located just outside of the Nockamixon Marina. Whether visitors choose to head out on the lake or use the pier is up to them. The only restricted fishing locations are the dam’s spillway, near boat launches or docks, on bridges, or near the lake marina. After casting your line, anglers can expect to catch small and largemouth bass, striped bass, walleye, carp, catfish, panfish, pickerel, and muskellunge.
What draws many people to the lake are the fishing tournaments that are routinely held throughout the year. The Nockamixon Mafia Bass Fishing Club hosts an array of events from weekly competitions to annual and monthly public tournaments. Its active Facebook page advertises weekly Wednesday Night Lunker competitions, while its website shows past tournaments throughout the years and the rules/fees to participate. For up-to-date information, check their Facebook page…