Lake Chillisquaque

Lake Chillisquaque, named for a Native American word meaning "song of the wild goose," is a 165-acre reservoir built on the middle branch of Chillisquaque Creek by PPL in 1972 as a backup cooling water supply for the Montour power plant.

The lake is a mecca for migrating birds. It's possible to observe more than 50 species of waterfowl — ducks, geese, loons, grebes, mergansers, tundra swans and shorebirds — during the peak migration season beginning in March.

It's also a prime fishing location. Over the years, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has stocked Lake Chillisquaque with northern pike, largemouth bass, channel and bullhead catfish, bluegill, yellow perch, walleye, crappie and tiger muskellunge. Evergreens, cement blocks, tire reefs and wooden and PVC devices were placed in the lake to enhance fish habitat.

The most effective live baits for Lake Chillisquaque seem to be minnows, night crawlers and crawdads. Artificial bait favorites among anglers and fish include jigs, buzz baits, rapalas/rebels, crankbaits and rubber worms.

Ice fishing has become a very popular winter activity at the lake. In fact, most of our record "lunkers" were pulled from beneath the ice.

A special permit is necessary to fish in the Goose Cove Wildlife Refuge Area. Fishing in the refuge is permitted during the winter ice-fishing season only.