Treasure Lake and its sister lakes, Bimini and Little Flipper, are in the northwest central part of Pennsylvania, just off Route 80 at Du Bois (GPS coordinates 41.137978N, 78.697769W). They are part of a private community. Most of the year, access is restricted to property owners or residents, including those staying at rental properties. However, outsiders may fish the lakes during the annual June and September bass fishing tournaments held by the Treasure Lake Sportsman's Club.
Treasure Lake Conditions
Because it is a private community, "There is no site where people can learn about fishing conditions. Residents have learned the best places and times to fish," says Judy Smith of the Treasure Lake Sportsman's Club. However, find a fishing weather report, which includes a chart of the hours of the day with ratings of fair, good and excellent by hour, as well as weather conditions and the phase of the moon, at weather.com. You may also use reports for nearby public fishing locations from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission website.
Types of Fish
"Fish caught at Treasure Lake and Bimini include large and small mouth bass, striped bass, walleye, northern pike, blue gills, perch, crappies, pickerel and lake and brown trout," Smith reports. The Sportsman's Club stocks the lakes each fall. The type of fish stocked varies from year to year. This site is not known for its trout. If you are specifically interested in wild trout, Pennsylvania State University offers an interactive state map of where to find them.
Lake Sizes and Conditions
Treasure Lake's clear waters are manmade. Prior to development of the Treasure Lake gated community in 1968, Treasure Lake was called Lake Rene. At 379 acres, it is the largest of three community lakes; Bimini is 277 acres and Little Flipper, just 4.5 acres. The larger lakes are as deep as 70 feet in some places. The lake shores are mainly flat and wooded. The community has three sandy beaches for swimming.
Regulations
Treasure Lake is designated for motor boats and has a marina, including 200 rental slips open to residents or renters with at least a six-month lease. Timeshare owners may bring a boat during their stay. Short-term renters may rent kayaks, paddleboats, canoes or rowboats. Speed is limited to 35 mph. Boats with motors 9 horsepower or less are allowed on Bimini Lake. Little Flipper is limited to children 12 and under or seniors over 65 years old. All fishing follows state regulations, including Pennsylvania licensing.
Bass Tournaments
The Sportsman's Club sponsors two bass tournaments that are open to the public---the only occasions that non-resident boats are allowed. The spring tournament is on Bimini; fall's is on Treasure Lake. Entry fees are $75 per boat, with two people allowed per boat. Fish must be at least 12 inches alive and released after weigh-in. Cash prizes are based on the entry fees, with first place receiving 25 percent; second, 20 percent; third, 10 percent and fourth, 5 percent.
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