Lake Habitat

Pennsylvania is blessed with 76 natural lakes and 2,300 manmade lakes, and many of them are great for fishing.  

0
Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are formed from glaciers or low areas that collect flowing water. Natural lakes rely on precipitation, springs, or flowing water to remain full.

0,300
Manmade Lakes

Manmade lakes are built by humans. They can be used for flood control or to provide drinking water. Dams are constructed to change the flow or create hydroelectric power.

With only a few natural lakes in Pennsylvania, lake habitat structures are needed to create diverse fish habitat in our manmade lakes.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists and other technical staff sample streams and review data to develop habitat improvement plans. 

A large excavator planting concrete reef balls for fish habitat on the bottom of drained Woodcock Creek Lake
Concrete reef balls are placed on the bottom of drained Woodcock Creek Lake to serve as habitat and cover for larger game fish species.
A wooden turtle basking platform built on Shawnee lake for turtles to absorb the warm sunlight.
A new wooden turtle basking platform design was added to Shawnee Lake, creating more warmth and better access for turtles.
A thermal heatmap image illustrating the warmth the platform gives off with red heat signals.
The thermal image illustrates how painted turtles are drawn to the warmth of the new basking platforms.

Spotting Good Habitat for Fishing

Fish seek different habits depending on their needs and life cycle. Know what to look on the lake.

Benefits and Threats

Learn more about the benefits of our Pennsylvania lakes, the threats impacting them and how you can help conserve our waterways.