Francis E. Walter Reservoir Fishing
A 100-acre Pennsylvania reservoir in Luzerne County, year-round stocked trout water.
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A short guide to Francis E. Walter Reservoir
The Fish and Boat Commission lists Francis E. Walter Reservoir at 100 acres; it sits in Luzerne County. Penn Lake Park, about 3 miles out, makes the nearest town. Water leaves it for Lehigh River. It falls in the PFBC Northeast Region.
PFBC names brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout for it. For trout it counts as year-round stocked trout water.
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
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Each chip marks a fish PFBC connects with Francis E. Walter Reservoir.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Trout at Francis E. Walter Reservoir
For trout, Francis E. Walter Reservoir uses stocked trout water rules; check the opener and extended season rows below. It is one of the waters PFBC keeps open to trout fishing all year.
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
PFBC Stocked Trout Waters layer and 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), p. 10, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Ramps that put boats on Francis E. Walter Reservoir
The access layer holds no ramp for Francis E. Walter Reservoir; try one listed below.
Bank and pier access, Francis E. Walter Reservoir
- Francis E. Walter Reservoir Boat Launch fishing access, Bear Creekshore or carry-in access, 10 hp
Other access areas near Francis E. Walter Reservoir
- Brady's Lake AccessBrady's Lake, 10 miles east
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
Level readings at Francis E. Walter Reservoir
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Francis E. Walter Reservoir Near White Haven, Pa | 1,302.88 ft lake elevation | Oct 25 11:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 25, 2026 11:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (CWMS) reading for F.E. Walter Dam (NAVD88), recorded October 23, 2026; retrieved October 23, 2026. Values are provisional.
Creel counts and minimum sizes at Francis E. Walter Reservoir
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout (regular season) | 5 (combined species), streams, lakes and ponds; minimum 7 inches | Regular season: April 4 at 8 a.m. through Sept. 7 (statewide opening day) |
| Trout (extended season, stocked waters) | 3 (combined species); minimum 7 inches | Jan. 1 through Feb. 15 and Sept. 8 through Dec. 31 |
| 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 |
Francis E. Walter Reservoir follows the inland table of the Summary, plus any program rule listed here.
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Trout stocking dates at Francis E. Walter Reservoir
Count on 3 PFBC stockings at Francis E. Walter Reservoir this year, chiefly rainbow; counts per visit stay unpublished.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | Brook trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Exit 273-White Haven-int. of I80 & SR940 |
| April 7, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | at Francis E Walter Reservoir |
| May 8, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Irena Lk |
PFBC Adult Trout Stocking Schedule, Fingerling Trout Schedule and Warmwater/Coolwater stockings (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania stocking.
Management reports on Francis E. Walter Reservoir
- 2024 Fish Population Evaluation: Night-boat Electrofishing Survey2024
- 2023 Fish Population Evaluation: Night-boat Electrofishing Survey2023
- 2022 Fish Population Evaluation: Night Electrofishing Surveys2022
PFBC Biologist Report Listing layer, retrieved October 23, 2026; older reports are history, not a current survey.
Nearby lakes and Francis E. Walter Reservoir, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis E. Walter Reservoir | 100 | 0 | 3 | yes | |
| Hickory Run Lake | 6 miles south | 4 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Lake Frances | 9 miles west | 11 | 0 | 1 | yes |
| Bradys Lake | 11 miles east | 229 | 1 | 0 | |
| Penn Forest Reservoir | 15 miles southeast | 0 | 0 | ||
| Gouldsboro Lake | 16 miles northeast | 250 | 1 | 5 |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Around Francis E. Walter Reservoir
Reservoirs and lakes close to Francis E. Walter Reservoir
- Hickory Run Lake6 miles south
- Lake Frances9 miles west
- Bradys Lake11 miles east
- Penn Forest Reservoir15 miles southeast
- Gouldsboro Lake16 miles northeast
Where Francis E. Walter Reservoir anglers stock up
- Evening Hatch Fly Shopfly shop, White Haven, 3 miles
- Pocono Boat Housebait and tackle shop, Pocono Lake, 8 miles
- Bob's Bugsbait and tackle shop, Ashley, 11 miles
- Nimrod Haven Hunting & Fishingbait and tackle shop, Hanover Township, 14 miles
- West Side Baitbait and tackle shop, Wyoming, 15 miles
- Bass Unlimitedbait and tackle shop, Nanticoke, 16 miles
Hire a guide for Francis E. Walter Reservoir
- Boyds Nepa Guding Servicecharter, Waverly, (570) 417-5841
- Ixtapa Sport Fishing Charterscharter, East Stroudsburg, (570) 688-9466
- Lakeside Cottagescharter, Tafton, (570) 226-8907
- Susquehanna Fishing Magazinefishing guide, Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg, (570) 441-4606
Overnight bases around Francis E. Walter Reservoir
- White Haven5 miles
- Mountain Top10 miles
- Ashley12 miles
Francis E. Walter Reservoir by county
- Luzerne Countyseat: Wilkes-Barre
Piscifun reels to bring along to Francis E. Walter Reservoir
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A photo guide to fish at Francis E. Walter Reservoir
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region from United States, Public domain
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Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PlanespotterA320, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Before you go to Francis E. Walter Reservoir: common questions
Where in Pennsylvania is Francis E. Walter Reservoir?
You will find it in Luzerne County, PFBC Northeast Region, about 3 miles from Penn Lake Park.
How large is Francis E. Walter Reservoir by PFBC count?
Roughly 100 acres.
Which access area serves Francis E. Walter Reservoir?
The access layer lists none, so check nearby ramps.
Does Francis E. Walter Reservoir hold bass and panfish?
PFBC lists brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
Does Francis E. Walter Reservoir have special regulations?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30.
Which Pennsylvania license and permit fit Francis E. Walter Reservoir?
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
When does PFBC stock Francis E. Walter Reservoir?
3 visits in 2026, from March 3.
Who sells minnows on the way to Francis E. Walter Reservoir?
Drive about 3 miles to Evening Hatch Fly Shop.
Who reports the level of Francis E. Walter Reservoir?
Above: USGS and the Corps of Engineers.
Spend an evening casting Francis E. Walter Reservoir
Check the Summary rows before a fish goes on the stringer.