Hawley, Pennsylvania, sits in the heart of the Pocono Mountains and offers direct access to one of the state’s best-known fisheries, Lake Wallenpaupack. This combination of small-town charm, big-lake water, and four‑season recreation makes Hawley a standout destination for anglers, boaters, and families alike. Whether you’re chasing hard‑fighting bass, night‑time walleye, or just looking to relax with a rod from the shoreline, Hawley gives you plenty of options in a compact, easy‑to-navigate area.
Hawley, PA, and Lake Wallenpaupack Overview
Lake Wallenpaupack is a large, man‑made reservoir just outside Hawley, stretching roughly 13 miles in length with dozens of coves, points, and inlets. It’s ringed by vacation homes, marinas, public access areas, and wooded hillsides that turn brilliant shades of red and gold in autumn. Hawley serves as the primary gateway town, with lodging, dining, tackle shops, and boat rentals all within a short drive of the water. For visitors, this means you can stay in town, grab breakfast, and be casting to fish on the lake within minutes.
How to Access Lake Wallenpaupack from Hawley
Boat access and shoreline access are both widely available around Lake Wallenpaupack, and most visitors base their trip around a combination of public launch areas and private marinas.
Key access options typically include:
-
Public boat launches: Several public ramps around the lake allow you to launch trailered ships for a day fee or with the proper state permits.
-
Private marinas: Marinas offer boat rentals, gas, slips, and often bait and tackle. It’s a good option if you don’t own a boat but want to reach offshore structures.
-
Shoreline parks and picnic areas: Designated shoreline areas and park pull‑offs around the lake provide opportunities to fish from shore, especially near points, docks, and small coves.
-
Fishing from resorts or rentals: Many lakeside rentals and resorts have their own small docks, perfect for early‑morning or evening fishing sessions steps from where you’re staying.
Always check current regulations on parking, launch fees, and required fishing licenses before your trip, as rules can change year to year.
Fish Species You Can Catch in Lake Wallenpaupack
Lake Wallenpaupack is known for a diverse warm‑water fish community, offering anglers plenty of choices in tactics and target species.
Some of the most popular species include:
-
Smallmouth bass: Often considered the lake’s signature sport fish, smallmouth bass thrive around rocky points, ledges, and offshore humps.
-
Largemouth bass: Found more in weedy bays and coves, around docks, submerged timber, and softer bottom areas.
-
Striped bass and hybrid stripers: Stocked, hard‑fighting open‑water predators that follow bait schools and can reach impressive sizes.
-
Walleye: A prized species for evening and night fishermen, typically relating to drop‑offs, points, and creek mouths.
-
Yellow perch: Abundant and excellent eating, often found around structure and weed edges in big schools.
-
Chain pickerel: Aggressive, toothy predators that patrol weed lines, submerged brush, and shallow flats.
-
Channel catfish: Common in deeper basins and along soft-bottom edges, especially active from late spring through early fall nights.
-
Panfish: Bluegill, pumpkinseed, and crappie provide steady action for beginners and kids along docks, in shallow coves, and in brushy cover.
Because of this variety, Lake Wallenpaupack allows you to mix power fishing for bass and stripers with more relaxed panfish or perch action in the same trip.
Best Time of Year to Fish Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack
You can fish Lake Wallenpaupack year‑round, but certain seasons are clearly better for specific species. Planning your trip around seasonal patterns will boost your success.
-
Spring (April–early June):
-
Excellent for smallmouth bass on rocky points, channel swings, and shallows as the water warms.
-
Walleye bite well in low light, especially morning, evening, and at night, along shorelines and gravel bottoms.
-
Crappie and other panfish move into coves and brush to spawn, creating fast action in shallow water.
-
Summer (June–August):
-
Early morning and evening are prime for bass, especially around weed edges, docks, and deeper rock structure during the daytime heat.
-
Striped bass and walleye often relate to deeper thermoclines and main‑lake points, with trolling or vertical presentations very effective.
-
Night fishing for channel catfish and walleye can be outstanding, especially on calm, warm nights.
-
Fall (September–November):
-
Cooling water triggers feeding binges for smallmouth and largemouth bass, which chase bait onto points and into shallower bays.
-
Walleye and stripers also follow bait in the fall, making this one of the best times for bigger fish.
-
Foliage season in the Poconos adds a scenic bonus, with brilliant colors surrounding the lake.
-
Winter (when safe ice is present):
-
Ice fishing can offer opportunities for perch, panfish, and occasional walleye or bass.
-
Always check local ice conditions and safety guidelines, as ice thickness and access vary.
Suggested Tactics and Gear for Lake Wallenpaupack
While you can catch fish here with simple setups, a few targeted tactics will help you make the most of the lake’s structure and species mix.
-
For smallmouth bass:
-
Use jigs, tube baits, and finesse plastics around rocky points and offshore humps.
-
Crankbaits and jerkbaits can cover water quickly in spring and fall.
-
For largemouth bass and pickerel:
-
Target weed beds, laydowns, and dock edges with spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and topwater lures during low‑light periods.
-
For walleye:
-
Try jigs and live bait near drop‑offs at dusk and after dark, or troll crankbaits along contour lines.
-
For stripers:
-
Heavy spinning or baitcasting tackle, plus trolling or casting swimbaits and deep‑running lures around main‑lake basins and points, is often effective.
-
For perch and panfish:
-
Ultralight combinations with small jigs, worms, or minnows around coves, docks, and weed edges will keep rods bending.
Always match your presentations to water temperature, clarity, and baitfish presence on the day you’re fishing.
Other Popular Local Activities in Hawley, PA
Fishing might be the main draw, but Hawley and the Lake Wallenpaupack area offer plenty of non‑fishing activities that make it easy to build a full vacation itinerary.
Popular things to do include:
-
Boating and water sports: Rent a pontoon, kayak, or personal watercraft to explore the lake and its many coves when you’re not fishing.
-
Hiking and nature walks: Trails in the surrounding Pocono foothills, nearby state parks, and along scenic overlooks offer views of the lake, forests, and wildlife.
-
Downtown Hawley: Browse local shops, cafes, and restaurants, or enjoy seasonal events and small‑town festivals.
-
Scenic drives and fall foliage tours: The roads around the lake and through the Pocono Mountains are especially beautiful in autumn.
-
Winter activities: Depending on the weather, nearby areas may offer snowshoeing, cross‑country skiing, or short drives to downhill skiing resorts.
Tips for Planning Your Hawley, PA Fishing Trip
To get the most out of your time in Hawley and on Lake Wallenpaupack, consider a few planning tips:
-
Book lodging early for peak seasons, such as summer weekends and fall foliage.
-
Check current fishing regulations, size limits, and seasons for each species before your trip.
-
Reserve boat rentals or guided trips in advance, especially during holidays and major lake events.
-
Pack appropriate clothing for rapidly changing mountain weather, even in summer.
With thoughtful planning, Hawley, PA, can deliver a fishing trip that combines trophy potential, family‑friendly panfish action, and plenty of off‑the‑water fun.
