What You'll Find at Opossum Lake

Opossum Lake is a small, shallow impoundment in the Cumberland Valley that holds smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and panfish—mostly bluegill and crappie. The lake sits in a rural pocket of the valley and doesn't draw the crowds you'd see at larger reservoirs nearby. Water clarity varies with the season; spring and fall tend to be clearer, while summer can get murky after heavy rain. The shoreline is mostly wooded, with a few open banks and some marshy coves that hold fish during low-light hours.

This is not a destination lake if you're chasing trophy fish, but it's a solid choice if you want to spend a morning catching numbers of smaller bass and panfish without fighting boat traffic. The lake is roughly 50 acres at full pool, which means you can cover most of it in a few hours from a small boat or kayak.

Key Takeaways

  • Opossum Lake holds smallmouth and largemouth bass in the 10- to 14-inch range, plus bluegill and crappie that bite year-round.
  • Spring and fall offer the clearest water and most consistent topwater action near the dam and along the wooded banks.
  • A small boat or kayak works best; the lake is shallow in places and has limited docking, so check conditions before launching.
  • Access is from a public boat ramp on the south end; arrive early on weekends because the lot fills quickly despite the lake's small size.

When to Fish Opossum Lake

Spring (April through May) is the most reliable season. Smallmouth move into shallow water to spawn, and they'll hit crankbaits, soft plastics, and small topwater plugs along the banks. Water temperature climbs into the 60s, and panfish start moving out of the deep holes. Early morning and late evening produce the best action, but you can catch fish throughout the day if you work the shaded banks.

Fall (September through October) is nearly as good. Bass recover from summer lethargy and feed aggressively as water cools. Crappie congregate in deeper water but still move shallow at dawn and dusk. By November, the bite slows but doesn't stop; winter fishing here is slow and requires patience, but the lake rarely freezes solid enough to close.

Summer can be tough. The water warms into the low 80s, and the lake gets murky after afternoon thunderstorms. Fish move deep or hold tight to cover. If you fish summer, focus on early morning before 8 a.m., or wait for an overcast day after a cold front passes through.

How to Access Opossum Lake

The public boat ramp is located on the south end of the lake, off a small county road. There is a gravel parking lot with room for roughly a dozen vehicles and a single-lane concrete ramp. No fee is charged, but the lot can fill on weekend mornings, especially in spring. Arrive by 7 a.m. if you want a may provide spot.

The ramp is shallow at the far end, so if water levels are low (which happens in late summer and fall), you may need to back your trailer in farther than usual. A kayak or small canoe can launch from the ramp even when water is low. There are no facilities at the ramp—no restrooms, no bait shop—so bring what you need.

Shore fishing is possible but limited. A small section of bank near the ramp is accessible, but most of the shoreline is private or overgrown. If you don't have a boat, ask locals about permission to fish from private land, or plan to launch a kayak and fish from there.

What Tackle and Techniques Work Best

For smallmouth, bring 1/4- to 3/8-ounce crankbaits in shad and crawfish patterns, soft plastic tubes in 3 to 4 inches, and small topwater plugs. Work the rocky banks and any visible structure—fallen trees, brush piles, or the dam face. Smallmouth here respond well to a slow retrieve; don't rush. A 6- to 6.5-foot medium-power spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound braid or monofilament is standard.

For largemouth, use larger soft plastics—4- to 6-inch worms or creature baits—and work the marshy coves and shallow weed edges. Largemouth in this lake tend to be smaller than the smallmouth, but they're more aggressive. A 7-foot medium-heavy rod handles these presentations better.

Panfish respond to small jigs (1/32 to 1/16 ounce) tipped with live minnows or small shiners, or to tiny spinners. Bluegill bite all year; crappie are most active in spring and fall. A light spinning rod and 4- to 6-pound line make panfish fun and keep you from getting bored between bass bites.

Seasonal Patterns and Where Fish Hide

In spring, smallmouth stage along the banks leading into the spawning flats. The dam face and the rocky points on the north shore hold fish transitioning from deep water. Work these areas slowly with soft plastics or small crankbaits. Largemouth move into the shallow coves and marshy areas; they spawn earlier than smallmouth, so they're already shallow by mid-April.

Summer pushes bass deep. The main basin drops to 20 to 25 feet in the center, and that's where smallmouth retreat during the heat. If you have a depth finder, look for the thermocline (usually around 15 to 18 feet) and fish just above it. Largemouth stay shallower, often in the thickest cover they can find. Early morning topwater near the coves can produce, but it's a low-percentage game.

Fall reverses the pattern. Bass move back to the banks and shallows as water cools. The bite picks up in September and stays strong through October. By November, fish slow down but concentrate in deeper holes near the dam and along the steeper banks. Winter fishing requires patience and a willingness to fish deep, slow presentations.

What to Know Before You Go

Water levels fluctuate, especially in late summer and fall. If the lake has been dry, the ramp may be difficult to use, and shallow areas become even shallower. Call ahead or check with local tackle shops to confirm conditions. A shallow-draft boat or kayak is your best bet if levels are low.

The lake is managed by a local authority, and regulations follow Pennsylvania state law. Bass must be 12 inches to keep; largemouth and smallmouth are counted together in the daily limit of five fish. Panfish have no size limit and a generous daily limit. A current Pennsylvania fishing license is required.

Opossum Lake is not a heavily stocked lake, so catch-and-release is encouraged, especially for bass. The population is self-sustaining but not large. Respect the resource, and you'll have a quiet morning on the water without the pressure of a crowded lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a bait shop near Opossum Lake?

No bait shop is located at the lake itself. The nearest tackle shops are in the towns surrounding the Cumberland Valley. Bring your own bait, lures, and tackle, or plan to stop at a shop before you arrive at the lake.

Can I fish from shore?

Limited shore fishing is available near the boat ramp. Most of the shoreline is private property or overgrown. A kayak or small canoe gives you access to more water and is often easier than trying to find shore spots.

What's the best time of day to fish Opossum Lake?

Early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) and late evening (5 p.m. to sunset) are most productive, especially in spring and fall. Summer fishing is better in early morning before the water warms. Overcast days can produce throughout the day.

Do I need a boat to fish here?

A boat helps you cover more water, but a kayak or canoe works well on a small lake like this. Shore fishing is possible but limited. If you don't have a boat, a kayak is a good low-cost option.

What size fish should I expect?

Smallmouth typically run 10 to 14 inches, with occasional fish to 16 inches. Largemouth are usually smaller, in the 8- to 12-inch range. Bluegill and crappie are average size for the region. This is a numbers lake, not a trophy lake.