When the lakes freeze, the state park lakes near our homes become ice fishing spots for pickerel, perch, bass, walleye and panfish. Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro are the closest to Pocono Pines, Pocono Lake and Long Pond. Beltzville and Mauch Chunk Lake are near Jim Thorpe, and Promised Land is in Pike County.
Two things trip visitors up: everyone 16 and older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license, and many stocked trout lakes close to all fishing from February 16 until trout season opens in spring. Nobody monitors the ice, so check it yourself every time.
Lakes that allow ice fishing
- Tobyhanna Lake (Tobyhanna State Park, 170 acres): bass, pickerel, yellow perch, catfish and sunfish, plus stocked brook and brown trout. Water-depth maps are on the park's fishing page.
- Gouldsboro Lake (Gouldsboro State Park, 250 acres): bass, pickerel, yellow perch, catfish, sunfish, walleye and crappie. An accessible fishing pier is near Parking Lot 4.
- Beltzville Lake (949 acres, near Lehighton): trout, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie and perch. Ice fishing and iceboating are allowed; DCNR suggests calling the park office about conditions.
- Promised Land Lake (422 acres) and Lower Lake (173 acres): DCNR says ice fishing is popular on both, mostly for bass, pickerel and panfish.
- Mauch Chunk Lake (Carbon County park, 345 acres, near Jim Thorpe): year-round fishing for bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, perch, pickerel and catfish. No fishing within 100 feet of the swim area or from the dam. The county doesn't monitor ice conditions.
- Lake Wallenpaupack (5,700 acres, Pike and Wayne counties) is owned by Brookfield Renewable, whose boating guide bans cars and trucks on the ice. The lake was below its summer level in mid-November 2026 after the drawdown, so check conditions.
- Hickory Run's fishing page doesn't mention ice fishing, and fishing is banned in Sand Spring Lake.
Sources: Tobyhanna State Park: fishing · Gouldsboro State Park: fishing · Beltzville State Park: winter · Promised Land State Park: fishing · Mauch Chunk Lake Park: boating & fishing · PFBC: Lake Wallenpaupack
Fishing licenses
- Everyone 16 and older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license. Buy one online or from a licensing agent; you must be able to show it (printed or on your phone) when an officer asks.
- 2026 prices (including fees): non-resident annual $60.97; tourist licenses $31.97 for 1 or 3 days and $39.47 for 7 days; resident annual $27.97. A trout permit is $14.97 more. Kids under 16 fish free.
- 2026 licenses expire December 31, 2026. A trip in January to March 2027 needs a 2027 license, which usually goes on sale December 1.
- A lake that sits entirely in a homeowners' association or private club doesn't exempt you: you still need a license there.
Sources: PFBC: buy a fishing license · PFBC: license FAQs
Ice fishing rules
- You may use up to 5 fishing devices (rods, hand lines, tip-ups or any mix), each with a single line, all under your immediate control.
- Holes can't be more than 10 inches across in any direction.
- Shanties on Fish & Boat Commission lakes must be removed at the end of each day.
- Stocked trout lakes that aren't on the state's year-round list close to all fishing from February 16 until the spring trout opener. In our area that includes Tobyhanna Lake, Hickory Run Lake and Lower Lake at Promised Land.
- From January 1 to February 15, stocked trout waters allow 3 trout a day, 7 inches or longer.
- Gouldsboro and Mauch Chunk are Big Bass lakes (bass 15 inches, 4 a day). Gouldsboro, Promised Land and Lower Lake have special panfish size limits. These are 2026 rules; check the 2027 Fishing Summary for early-2027 trips.
Sources: PFBC 2026 Fishing Summary (PDF)
Ice safety
- The Fish & Boat Commission says to stay off ice 4 inches thick or less; 5 inches holds two anglers and 8 inches or more is for groups. Stay off ice on moving water.
- PFBC also says ice conditions aren't officially monitored by anyone. Wear a life jacket, carry ice awls and a rope, and never fish alone.
- DCNR posts snow and ice conditions for each state park in its Winter Report, updated at least weekly in winter.
Sources: PFBC: ice fishing basics · DCNR Winter Report
