What You'll Find at Takanassee Lake

Takanassee Lake is a 65-acre impoundment in Pike County, Pennsylvania, about 20 minutes northeast of Long Branch. The lake sits in the Pocono foothills and holds a solid population of largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. The shoreline is mostly wooded with some residential development on the eastern side, and the water clarity runs from fair to good depending on recent rainfall. Depth ranges from 8 to 12 feet across most of the lake, with a few deeper holes near the dam.

This is not a trophy bass lake, but it's a reliable spot for catching 12- to 16-inch fish consistently, especially in spring and fall. The panfish bite here is often better than the bass bite, particularly for bluegill and black crappie. If you're coming from Long Branch and want something smaller and quieter than the main lake, Takanassee gives you that without the drive to the Catskills or the Poconos proper.

Key Takeaways

  • Takanassee Lake is open to the public and requires no permit to fish, though you need a valid Pennsylvania fishing license.
  • Launch your boat at the public ramp on the north shore, or fish from shore along the dam and the western bank where access is easiest.
  • Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) produce the most consistent bass action, with summer panfish fishing strong around deeper structure.
  • Largemouth bass respond well to soft plastics and crankbaits along the weed line and drop-offs; bluegill bite small jigs and live crickets near the shallows.

Access and Launch Points

The public boat launch is on the north shore, accessible from Takanassee Road. The ramp is maintained and has parking for about a dozen vehicles. There's no fee to launch. If you don't have a boat, you can fish from shore along the dam on the south end and from the western bank where a small parking area sits near the water. The walk-in access is short and straightforward.

The lake is open year-round, and there are no seasonal closures for bass or panfish. Pennsylvania's general fishing regulations apply: largemouth bass have a 12-inch minimum and a 5-fish daily limit; bluegill and crappie have no size limit and a 50-fish daily limit combined. You'll need a current Pennsylvania fishing license, which you can purchase online or at any sporting goods store.

Spring Bass and Early Spawning Patterns

April and May are the best months for largemouth bass at Takanassee. As water temperatures climb into the high 50s and low 60s, bass move from deeper winter holes into the shallows to feed before the spawn. Focus on the western bank where fallen trees and brush create cover in 4 to 8 feet of water. Soft plastics—4-inch worms and creature baits in green pumpkin or watermelon—work well dragged slowly along the bottom.

Early morning and late afternoon produce more strikes than midday. If you're fishing from shore, work the dam area where a slight current and deeper water hold fish that haven't moved shallow yet. A 3/8-ounce jig with a crawfish trailer fished slowly along the drop-off will catch fish even when the bite is slow. The spawn itself (usually mid-May through early June) can be hit-or-miss; some anglers catch spawning fish, others find the bite shuts down. If you catch a fish on a bed, consider releasing it to preserve the population.

Summer Panfish and Deep Structure

Once water temperatures push into the 70s, largemouth bass move deeper and become harder to catch consistently. This is when bluegill and black crappie take over. Target the deeper holes near the dam and along the eastern bank where the bottom drops to 10 to 12 feet. Small jigs (1/16- to 1/8-ounce) tipped with live crickets or small minnows will catch panfish all day.

Early morning is still best, but the bite can hold through midday if you stay in deeper water. Bluegill often school in the shallows at dawn and dusk, so if you're fishing from shore, cast toward the weed line in 3 to 5 feet of water. A small popper or dry fly will draw strikes from aggressive fish. Crappie prefer slightly deeper water and respond well to vertical jigging over structure; if you have a boat, use your depth finder to locate the deeper holes and work them thoroughly.

Fall Transition and Second Peak

September and October bring the second-best bass bite of the year. As water temperatures drop from the 70s into the 60s, bass move back into shallower water to feed heavily before winter. The same areas that worked in spring—the western bank, fallen timber, and brush piles—hold fish again. Crankbaits that mimic baitfish work better in fall than they do in spring; throw 2- to 3-inch shad-pattern cranks in 4 to 8 feet of water.

The panfish bite remains strong through October, and you'll often catch both bass and bluegill in the same area. If you're targeting both species, bring a light spinning rod for panfish and a medium rod for bass, and you can work the same structure with different lures. By late October, water temperatures drop below 50 degrees and the bite slows; most anglers move on to other water by November.

Winter Fishing and Slow Periods

Takanassee does not freeze solid most winters, but the bite becomes very slow from November through March. Bass move to the deepest water available and feed infrequently. If you fish in winter, focus on the holes near the dam and fish slowly with small baits or jigs. Live minnows fished on a simple rig will catch the occasional bass, but you'll spend long stretches without action.

Winter panfish fishing can be productive if you're willing to sit still. Bluegill and crappie hold in the deeper holes and will bite small jigs and live bait if you present it directly to them. The trade-off is that you'll catch fewer fish overall, but the ones you catch tend to be larger. Most anglers skip Takanassee in winter and return in spring when the bite picks up again.

Tackle and Technique Tips

For largemouth bass, a 6- to 6.5-foot medium-power spinning rod with 10- to 12-pound braided line gives you enough sensitivity to feel soft plastics and enough power to set the hook in cover. A 7-foot medium-heavy rod works better if you're throwing crankbaits or working heavy structure. For panfish, drop down to a 5.5- to 6-foot light-power rod with 4- to 6-pound monofilament; the lighter setup makes small jigs and poppers more fun to fish.

Takanassee has enough weed growth in summer to make a weed guard useful on your soft plastics. Texas-rigged worms with a small bullet sinker will slide through vegetation without hanging up. If you're fishing from shore, a 3/8-ounce jig is heavy enough to cast distance and light enough to feel bites in shallow water. Carry a small net if you're keeping fish; the walk from the shore parking area is short, but a net makes handling easier and reduces injury to fish you plan to release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish Takanassee Lake?

No. The shore access along the dam and western bank is good enough for panfish and bass. You'll catch fewer fish than someone in a boat, but you'll still have a solid day. A boat gives you access to deeper structure and lets you cover more water, which helps in summer when fish move deep.

What's the best time of day to fish here?

Early morning (sunrise to mid-morning) is most consistent year-round. Late afternoon (two hours before sunset) is your second-best window. Midday fishing is slowest, especially in summer. If you're fishing for panfish in deep water, the bite can hold through the middle of the day better than it does for bass.

Are there any restrictions on boat size or motor type?

Pennsylvania does not restrict boat size at Takanassee. Electric motors and gas motors are both allowed. The lake is small enough that you don't need a large motor; a 15- to 25-horsepower outboard or a good electric trolling motor will cover the water efficiently.

Can I keep fish I catch, or is it catch-and-release only?

You can keep fish within Pennsylvania's daily limits: 5 largemouth bass per day (12-inch minimum), and 50 bluegill and crappie combined per day with no size limit. Many anglers release most fish to keep the population healthy, but the lake can support some harvest.

What should I bring if I'm fishing from shore?

Bring a valid Pennsylvania fishing license, a small tackle box with jigs and soft plastics, a net if you plan to keep fish, and water. The parking area has no facilities, so plan accordingly. A headlamp or flashlight is essential if you're fishing early morning or late afternoon.