Chester Octoraro Reservoir Fishing
A 669-acre Pennsylvania reservoir in Lancaster County.
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Chester Octoraro Reservoir, size and setting
In Lancaster County, Chester Octoraro Reservoir is a reservoir of 669 acres by PFBC count. Roughly 4 miles separates the lake point from Oxford. Overflow heads into Octoraro Creek. PFBC handles it from its Southeast Region office.
Listed fish include bluegill and pumpkinseed, channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass. PFBC flags it as a Best Fishing Water.
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
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PFBC sources behind Chester Octoraro Reservoir: its species listing for the water, state records and planned stockings.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Ramps and access areas on Chester Octoraro Reservoir
No ramp on Chester Octoraro Reservoir shows in the PFBC access data, so nearby ramps follow.
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
The keeper rules anglers follow at Chester Octoraro Reservoir
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30) | 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | June 13 through Sept. 30 |
| Bass (Jan. 1 to April 10, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31) | 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (April 11 to June 12) | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) | April 11 through June 12 (no harvest begins 12:01 a.m.) |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 1 (combined species); minimum 40 inches | Open year-round |
| Northern pike | 2; minimum 24 inches | Open year-round |
| Chain pickerel | 4; minimum 18 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye and saugeye | 6; minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 2 through Dec. 31 |
| Sunfish, crappie and other panfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Catfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Striped bass and hybrids | 2 (combined species); minimum 20 inches | Open year-round |
| American shad | 3 | Open year-round |
These Commonwealth inland waters rows cover Chester Octoraro Reservoir unless a program or special regulation below says otherwise.
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
How Chester Octoraro Reservoir stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Octoraro Reservoir | 669 | 0 | 4 | ||
| Muddy Run Recreation lake | 13 miles west | 98 | 0 | 4 | yes |
| Chambers Lake | 18 miles northeast | 89 | 1 | 8 | |
| Struble Lake | 23 miles northeast | 146 | 1 | 6 | |
| Marsh Creek Lake | 25 miles northeast | 535 | 2 | 7 | |
| Hopewell Lake | 30 miles northeast | 68 | 1 | 6 |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Neighbors of Chester Octoraro Reservoir
Pennsylvania lakes near Chester Octoraro Reservoir
- Muddy Run Recreation lake13 miles west
- Chambers Lake18 miles northeast
- Struble Lake23 miles northeast
- Marsh Creek Lake25 miles northeast
- Hopewell Lake30 miles northeast
Minnows, worms and line near Chester Octoraro Reservoir
- Jim Neary’s Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Kirkwood, under a mile
- Peach Bottom Marinamarina, Peach Bottom, 10 miles
- Open Air Sportsbait and tackle shop, Strasburg, 15 miles
- Outboard & Engine Service & Repairmarina, New Holland, 19 miles
- Thumper Bluewater Expeditionsmarina, Millersville, 20 miles
- The Sportsman's Shopbait and tackle shop, East Earl, 21 miles
Permitted guides near Chester Octoraro Reservoir
- North Muddy Fish & Game Associatescharter, Felton, (717) 927-6324
- 2 Rocky Rivers Guide Service, Llcfishing guide, Elizabethtown, (717) 278-7067
- Anthony Cicero Jr.fishing guide, Elizabethtown, (717) 587-3699
- River Redemption Llcfishing guide, Ephrata, (910) 232-7350
- Susquehanna Smallmouth Guidesfishing guide, Susquehanna River, Ephrata, (717) 989-6626
- All Out Tours Llcfishing guide, Lancaster, (717) 344-4229
- Big Bass Energy Llcfishing guide, Lancaster, (717) 278-2716
Keystone towns within reach of Chester Octoraro Reservoir
- Oxford4 miles
- Quarryville8 miles
- Atglen10 miles
The counties Chester Octoraro Reservoir touches
- Lancaster Countyseat: Lancaster
Spinning and casting reels from Piscifun for Chester Octoraro Reservoir
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Photographs of lakes and creeks by Chester Octoraro Reservoir
Photo: Fachwerkhaus54, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Augustin Liviu, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Chester Octoraro Reservoir: what Keystone anglers want to know
Which Pennsylvania county holds Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
Look in Lancaster County, PFBC Southeast Region, about 4 miles from Oxford.
How large is Chester Octoraro Reservoir on PFBC maps?
669 acres of water.
Where can I launch a boat at Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
Not mapped; the closest ramps appear above.
Which gamefish live in Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
Listings show bluegill and pumpkinseed, channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass.
Which Summary rules govern Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30.
What does an out-of-state angler pay at Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license: $27.97 for residents, $60.97 for nonresidents and $14.47 for resident seniors, fees included.
Do PFBC trout trucks visit Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
PFBC lists no stocking here this year.
Where can I pick up nightcrawlers near Chester Octoraro Reservoir?
Jim Neary’s Live Bait & Tackle is under a mile from the water.
Hitch the trailer for Chester Octoraro Reservoir
The license page lists every Pennsylvania fee and season.