Marsh Creek Lake Draw Down...

Many lakes in Pennsylvania experience a "Winter Draw Down".  This year Marsh Creek Lake in Chester County is scheduled to drop eight feet. The normal winter dropdown is three feet. This year will be unique because of the planned eight foot dropdown. The lake has already begun the process and the lowest part of the dropdown will be done by Nov 1st.

Note: I visited the lake on October 7th to check on the progress. The pictures that accompany this blog are from that visit.  At this time the level is down only about one foot probably due to a little later start then previously planned. So the draw down should be more noticeable by the middle of the month. 

This annual procedure is to allow for the construction of fish habitat and inspection of the dam breast. The lake has undergone fish habitat improvement for a few years now. Fish habitat improvements are the main reason for the draw down but will probably include inspection of the dam breast and other areas or projects.

Use this link and zoom in with your browser to see what is on the work schedule. You will see 2012 work plans highlighted in blue. 
 
http://fishandboat.com/water/habitat/mgmt_plans/lake/marsh_creek.pdf

A drop in water level of three to five feet exposes things not normally visible. Many anglers will take advantage of this to note the location of stumps, rocks, drop offs and other fish holding structure. This year with a drop of eight feet will reveal even more for those that have an interest.

There is also another opportunity here for anyone looking for a little exercise and treasure hunt so to speak. With so much shore line being exposed it becomes easy to walk where few have been. Areas that are normally inaccessible become a unobstructed trail. The "treasure" will be found by those with sharp eyes and a slow gait. Anglers have been snagging and losing lures in this lake for many years. The area that will become exposed is the prime depth for targeting fish. You should search any tree that is partially in the water, any stumps that are exposed and other possible snags. Some of these lures will be as good as new. Others may need the hooks replaced after being submerged for many years. At any rate this draw down will expose areas that have not seen the light of day since the lake was constructed back in the early 70's. I will be there to take a few pictures and perhaps find a couple of my own lures from years past. O, you might want to wear some sort of boot because the shore line could be a bit muddy and slippery.

Please also note that a recent change to the boating rules will come into effect on November 1st.

"Beginning November 1, 2012 boaters are required to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak from November 1 through April 30th"

Thanks for reading "Fishing Fever" !