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Rainbow Trout
Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Chain Pickerel
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0 
Striped Bass
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain 
American Shad
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Pennsylvania lakes and reservoirs
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Middle Creek Reservoir Fishing
A 361-acre Pennsylvania reservoir in Lancaster County.
Pick for brown troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Blue Marsh Lake: Augustin Liviu, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lancaster County
Getting to know Middle Creek Reservoir
Middle Creek Reservoir spans 361 acres according to PFBC, located in Lancaster County. Hopeland lies roughly 3 miles from the PFBC point. PFBC region: Southeast.
Fish on the PFBC roster: brown trout and rainbow trout. 1 access area with a ramp serve boats.
361acres
1ramp access areas
2species listed
2scheduled stockings
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
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Gamefish of Middle Creek Reservoir
Linked chips open the Pennsylvania species page for each fish listed at Middle Creek Reservoir.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Access
Boat access around Middle Creek Reservoir
- Middle Creek Lake Accesspaved ramp, parking 10 spaces or more, unpowered boats only; owner PGC
Launch points around Middle Creek Reservoir
- Speedwell Forge Lake Access near Brickerville (PFBC access 907)Speedwell Forge Lake, 6 miles southwest
- Speedwell Forge Lake Access near LititzSpeedwell Forge Lake, 6 miles southwest
- Speedwell Forge Lake Access near Brickerville (PFBC access 908)Speedwell Forge Lake, 6 miles southwest
- Autumn Hills Park boat launchCocalico Creek, 7 miles southeast
- Lakeside Quarry AccessLakeside Quarry, 8 miles northwest
- Stover's Dam AccessStover's Lake, 11 miles northwest
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
Limits
Keeping fish from Middle Creek 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 |
The table repeats the statewide inland limits that govern Middle Creek Reservoir.
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Stocking
Stocking schedule for Middle Creek Reservoir
PFBC schedules 2 stocking visits to Middle Creek Reservoir in 2026, most often brown; the Commission prints dates and meeting places, not fish counts.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2026 | Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Golden rainbow trout | adult trout | Middle Creek Reservoir Dam. to T-945 (West Lime Rock Road) | Middle Creek Visitors Center |
| April 9, 2026 | Brown trout, Rainbow trout | adult trout | Middle Creek Reservoir Dam. to T-945 (West Lime Rock Road) | Middle Creek Wildfowl Mgt Area Museum-SR1035 |
PFBC Adult Trout Stocking Schedule, Fingerling Trout Schedule and Warmwater/Coolwater stockings (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania stocking.
Compare
Lakes near Middle Creek Reservoir compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Creek Reservoir | 361 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Speedwell Forge Lake | 6 miles southwest | 106 | 3 | 4 | |
| Lakeside Quarry | 8 miles northwest | 9 | 1 | 0 | yes |
| Stovers Lake | 11 miles northwest | 26 | 1 | 3 | yes |
| Blue Marsh Reservoir | 12 miles northeast | 1,150 | 3 | 9 | |
| Lions Lake | 13 miles northwest | 7 | 1 | 0 | yes |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Nearby
Within reach of Middle Creek Reservoir
Still water worth the drive from Middle Creek Reservoir
- Speedwell Forge Lake6 miles southwest
- Lakeside Quarry8 miles northwest
- Stovers Lake11 miles northwest
- Blue Marsh Reservoir12 miles northeast
- Lions Lake13 miles northwest
Tackle counters within reach of Middle Creek Reservoir
- Rod Doctorbait and tackle shop, Denver, 6 miles
- Baxbwanis Marinamarina, Lititz, 9 miles
- Nature Makerbait and tackle shop, Lebanon, 10 miles
- Coble's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Lebanon, 10 miles
- Tulpehocken Creek Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Reading, 13 miles
- Indian River Marinebait and tackle shop, Bernville, 14 miles
Charter and guide options at Middle Creek Reservoir
- Blue Mountain Fishing Lakescharter, Schuylkill Haven, (570) 754-7934
- Fishin' Fools Guide Svccharter, Harrisburg, (717) 652-3033
- Hooked On Catfishingcharter, Highspire, (717) 304-9843
- North Muddy Fish & Game Associatescharter, Felton, (717) 927-6324
Lodging bases for Middle Creek Reservoir
- Newmanstown6 miles
- Denver6 miles
- Richland6 miles
County guides along Middle Creek Reservoir
- Lancaster Countyseat: Lancaster
Piscifun
Reels and a scale grip for a Middle Creek Reservoir outing
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Fish ID
Species of Middle Creek Reservoir in photographs
Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Answers
Planning a Middle Creek Reservoir trip: the questions
How do I find Middle Creek Reservoir on a Pennsylvania map?
PFBC places it in Lancaster County, PFBC Southeast Region, about 3 miles from Hopeland.
How much surface does Middle Creek Reservoir cover on the PFBC list?
361 acres, by the PFBC lake layer.
Where is the boat launch at Middle Creek Reservoir?
1 ramp access area, including Middle Creek Lake Access.
Which fish has PFBC listed at Middle Creek Reservoir?
On the PFBC roster: brown trout and rainbow trout.
What may I keep from Middle Creek Reservoir?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30.
Is a Pennsylvania license required at Middle Creek 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.
Which hatchery fish does PFBC send to Middle Creek Reservoir?
Yes, 2 times in 2026 (first: March 19).
Where do Middle Creek Reservoir anglers buy worms?
Rod Doctor, about 6 miles away.
Mark Middle Creek Reservoir on the calendar
License fees, permits and every Summary table sit on the license page.