Lily Lake Fishing
A 161-acre Pennsylvania lake in Luzerne County, year-round stocked trout water.
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What to expect at Lily Lake
Lily Lake covers 161 acres, the PFBC lake layer shows, inside Luzerne County. The PFBC layer names PFBC as owner. Shickshinny is the nearest place on the Census list, some 4 miles away. The outlet feeds Pond Creek. It is a Northeast Region water for PFBC.
The Commission manages bluegill and pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike and rainbow trout here. PFBC data show 1 access area with a ramp. Trout rules here follow its status as year-round stocked trout water. It carries Big Bass Program rules. Best Fishing Waters, per PFBC.
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
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Fish below are tied to Lily Lake by PFBC listings, the record book or 2026 stocking.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
How trout fit into Lily Lake
PFBC lists Lily Lake among stocked trout waters, so the statewide trout creel of 5 (3 in the extended season) and the 7-inch minimum apply. Being year-round, it does not close to trout fishing ahead of the opener.
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.
Where boats go in at Lily Lake
- Lily Lake Accesspaved ramp, 22 trailer spaces, dock, 60 hp; owner PFBC
Where else to launch near Lily Lake
- Union Township AccessNorth Branch Susquehanna River, 3 miles northwest
- Crary Park boat launchNorth Branch Susquehanna River, 4 miles west
- Shickshinny AccessNorth Branch Susquehanna River, 4 miles west
- Hunlock Township AccessNorth Branch Susquehanna River, 5 miles northeast
- Moon Lake AccessMoon Lake, 8 miles north
- Sylvan Lake AccessSylvan Lake, 9 miles northwest
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
The limits anglers follow at Lily Lake
| 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 |
Statewide inland limits are the baseline on Lily Lake.
Program limits at Lily Lake
| Program | Rule | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bass Program | Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass: 4 (combined species), minimum 15 inches, harvest Jan. 1 through April 10 and June 13 through Dec. 31; April 11 through June 12, catch and immediate release only, no tournaments. | p. 11 |
Special regulations naming Lily Lake
- Big Bass Special Regulation (Summary page)
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Hatchery trucks at Lily Lake
Lily Lake gets 4 scheduled stockings in 2026 (rainbow most often); PFBC gives dates, not counts.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Northern Pike (fingerling) | warmwater/coolwater | ||
| February 18, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Lily Lake |
| April 14, 2026 | Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Lily Lake |
| October 6, 2026 | Rainbow trout | adult trout | . to | Lily Lake |
PFBC Adult Trout Stocking Schedule, Fingerling Trout Schedule and Warmwater/Coolwater stockings (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania stocking.
What PFBC biologists wrote about Lily Lake
- 2025 Spring Trap net surveys2025
- 2022 Black Bass Survey2022
- May 2014 Largemouth Bass Survey2014
- August 25-26, 20032013
- 2002 Lily Lake2002
PFBC Biologist Report Listing layer, retrieved October 23, 2026; older reports are history, not a current survey.
Lily Lake beside nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lily Lake | 161 | 1 | 6 | yes | |
| Lake Took A. While | 4 miles southwest | 24 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Moon Lake | 8 miles north | 47 | 1 | 1 | yes |
| Sylvan Lake | 9 miles northwest | 82 | 1 | 6 | yes |
| Pikes Creek Reservoir | 9 miles north | 400 | 0 | 5 | |
| Harris Pond | 11 miles north | 30 | 1 | 4 |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Places near Lily Lake
Other lakes within a drive of Lily Lake
- Lake Took A. While4 miles southwest
- Moon Lake8 miles north
- Sylvan Lake9 miles northwest
- Pikes Creek Reservoir9 miles north
- Harris Pond11 miles north
Shops supplying Lily Lake anglers
- Bass Unlimitedbait and tackle shop, Nanticoke, 6 miles
- Nimrod Haven Hunting & Fishingbait and tackle shop, Hanover Township, 8 miles
- Bait Buddiesbait and tackle shop, Hunlock Creek, 9 miles
- Smith Outdoor Connection, 669 Knob Mountain Rdbait and tackle shop, Berwick, 10 miles
- Bob's Bugsbait and tackle shop, Ashley, 10 miles
- Smith Outdoor Connection, 4 Whitetail Lnbait and tackle shop, Berwick, 12 miles
Booking a guided trip on Lily Lake
- Boyds Nepa Guding Servicecharter, Waverly, (570) 417-5841
- Susquehanna Fishing Magazinefishing guide, Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg, (570) 441-4606
Where to spend the night near Lily Lake
- Nanticoke6 miles
- Sugar Notch9 miles
- Mountain Top9 miles
County pages that cover Lily Lake
- Luzerne Countyseat: Wilkes-Barre
Piscifun reels that suit Lily Lake
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Pictures of the species at Lily Lake
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Meine Mutter (Erlaubnis liegt vor), CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Lily Lake fishing, question by question
How far is Lily Lake from a Pennsylvania town?
It sits in Luzerne County, PFBC Northeast Region, about 4 miles from Shickshinny.
How many acres does PFBC give Lily Lake?
PFBC lists 161 acres.
Which ramp suits a trailer at Lily Lake?
Try Lily Lake Access, one of 1 ramp access area.
Which species does PFBC list for Lily Lake?
The Commission names bluegill and pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike and rainbow trout.
Which minimum lengths apply on Lily Lake?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30. Program rules apply too: Big Bass Program.
Do I need a trout permit at Lily Lake?
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
What has PFBC planned to stock in Lily Lake?
Yes: 4 2026 entries, starting 2026.
Which bait counter on our list sits closest to Lily Lake?
Closest on our list: Bass Unlimited, 6 miles.
Add Lily Lake to the Pennsylvania trip list
Buy the license and any permit before you drive.