About:
Located just outside Wellsboro in Tioga County, Nessmuk Lake is a peaceful 60-acre fishing destination named after George Washington Sears, a 19th century outdoorsman and writer, who used the pen name Nessmuk. Located only 2 miles south of downtown Wellsboro on route 287, this small lake features a wonderful warmwater fishery and a diversity of fish habitat. In 2014 the lake was drained for dam rehabilitation. During the drawdown, Tackle Shack and local bass fishing club, Tioga County Bass Anglers, worked closely with the PA Fish & Boat Commission and the Friends of Reservoirs partnership to obtain funding for a large scale fish habitat project.
Today the lake stands as a testament to the importance of both fish habitat and cooperative partnerships with a flourishing fishery. Managed, and owned, by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, the lake offers opportunities for largemouth bass, panfish, and other warmwater species. Nessmuk is managed under Big Bass Program Special Regulations and Panfish Enhancement Program Regulations.
Whether you’re fishing from shore, kayak, canoe, or an electric-powered boat, Nessmuk Lake provides plenty of fishing opportunity.
Fish Species at Nessmuk Lake
Largemouth Bass
Nessmuk Lake offers great bass fishing with a variety of structure and depths to explore a number of techniques. Texas rigged plastics, topwater frogs, jigs, and wacky rigs will catch fish in and around weeds or shallow structure. Offshore near deeper structure and along weedlines, try shakey heads, drop shot rigs, Carolina rigs, or jigs and chatterbaits. Natural colors tend to work best with generally clear conditions throughout much of the year.
Crappie, Perch & Other Panfish
Panfish are a favorite target at Nessmuk throughout the year. Bluegills, pumpkinseed sunfish, crappies, and yellow perch can be targeted all year long using live or artificial baits. Ultralight and light action setups work best.
Other Species
Anglers can find good numbers of Channel Catfish in Nessmuk. The habitat project also included numerous catfish spawning boxes to help ensure future generations. Prior to draining, Nessmuk also held chain pickerel, but they were not reintroduced when the lake was refilled.
Recommended Tackle For Nessmuk Lake
Bass Gear
Rods
- Medium action spinning rods 6-7’ will work for live bait, soft plastics & finesse lures
- Medium Heavy - Heavy baitcasting rods 6’8”-7’6” are preferred for topwater lures, moving baits, jigs and heavier Texas rigs
Line
- 8-15lb monofilament or fluorocarbon for live bait and soft plastics
- 30-50lb braided line for topwater frogs
- Heavier fluorocarbon or braid/leader combos are excellent for Texas rigs in and around the weeds/timber. We like 15-20lb to help pull fish out of cover.
Lures
- Hollow body frogs, toads, and similar topwater baits
- Drop shot or wacky rigged soft plastic worms
- Texas rigged creature baits and soft plastic worms
- Chatterbaits & Spinnerbaits
Panfish Gear
Rods
- Ultralight - Medium Light spinning rod 6-7’
- Ultralight - Medium Light spincast combos 4-7’ (great for beginners)
- Our favorite panfish setup is a 7’ Light action rod with a 1000 or 2000 series reel
Line
- 4-8lb monofilament is versatile for a variety of applications
- 4-8lb fluorocarbon works well for leader material, or subsurface presentations. Keep in mind that fluoro sinks and does not work well with bobbers, unless used as a leader
Baits & Lures
- Live minnows, nightcrawlers, redworms, mealworms, or waxworms all work well for panfish. Rig them on a size 6-10 hook
- Small soft plastic minnows, worms, and bug imitations. Rig them on a 1/32 or 1/16 jighead
- Small topwater poppers or plopper style baits.
Best Fishing Areas
Nessmuk Lake offers many productive areas to explore. From shore, anglers can easily access the lake from the dam and on a floating dock at the boat launch. Access is also possible along route 287, but the road and tall vegetation can make some of this tough to access. Weeds and some structure are fishable from shore. Weed mats can get thick late in the season, limiting accessible water in some areas
By boat or canoe/kayak, work the weeds around the perimeter of the lake or target offshore structures. Most of the these structures will hold panfish and bass year round.
Also target:
- Rocky shorelines along 287
- Dam rip rap
- Shoreline cover, including timber near beaver dams
- Deeper transitions (particularly towards the middle of the lake)
The lake’s combination of weeds and implemented structures offer a variety of options and plenty of areas to find fish.
Boating & Lake Access
Valid PA Boat Registration or PA Launch Permit Required
Nessmuk Lake is ideal for small fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, and other non-gas-powered watercraft. Boating is limited to electric motors and unpowered boats.
A floating fishing dock is available at the boat launch.
Seasonal Fishing Tips
Spring
Bass, crappie, and panfish become active as water temperatures rise and spawning season starts. Target shallow cover, the roadside shoreline, and the dam as warming weather draws fish in shallow.
Summer
Weeds can get thick around the dock and much of the shoreline perimeter. These areas offer good cover for all species of fish. Target holes in the weed mats or weed edges, and drag topwater frogs and toads over the mats. Many bass will migrate out to deeper structures and targeting them with chatterbaits, drop shot presentations, jigs, and Carolina rigs can be effective. Plenty of bluegills and sunfish will hold around the dock all season long making this area especially fun for kids. Past the weeds, drifting nightcrawlers or minnows in deeper water works well for perch.
Fall
Cooling water can create excellent feeding opportunities. Try moving baits, crankbaits, and baitfish imitations. The topwater bite can be excellent too. As weeds die back, look for remaining green patches or offshore structures to hold fish.
Winter
Nessmuk Lake is a popular ice fishing destination when conditions are sufficient. It generally has a reliable ice season lasting from mid-late December to early-mid March. Yellow perch, bluegill, and crappie are the most common winter targets. Though fish can be caught throughout the lake, offshore structures tend to be good places to start. Panfish will often also roam the open water and hole hopping is a great way to catch fish on the move. Give us a call for the latest ice updates and remember to always check ice conditions before heading out.
