Ice fishing in Pennsylvania: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Raystown Lake

Raystown Lake spreads over 8,300 acres. The fish here are walleye, striped bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. At about 200 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Raystown Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Wallenpaupack

At 5,760 acres, Lake Wallenpaupack is a good-sized lake. Walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 60 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Wallenpaupack today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Pymatuning Reservoir

Pymatuning Reservoir spreads over 17,000 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Youngstown (about 29 miles). Walleye, crappie, yellow perch and bluegill are the draw. It goes down to about 35 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Pymatuning is Pennsylvania's largest lake and straddles the Pennsylvania-Ohio state line. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Pymatuning Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake)

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) spreads over some 12,100 acres. You will find it about 7.1 miles north of Randolph. Kinzua Dam holds it on the Allegheny River. The fish here are walleye, trout, muskie and catfish. At about 130 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Shenango River Lake

Shenango River Lake covers 3,560 acres of water. It lies right by Sharpsville. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, crappie and bluegill. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Shenango River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the Shenango River near the Ohio border. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Shenango River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Arthur

Lake Arthur is a reservoir of 3,220 acres of water. You will find it near Prospect. Expect northern pike, crappie, bluegill and walleye. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Lake Arthur is the centerpiece of Moraine State Park and was formed by damming Muddy Creek. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Lake Arthur today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Youghiogheny River Lake

Youghiogheny River Lake covers 2,840 acres. The lake is about 17 miles northwest of Hopwood. Walleye, northern pike, crappie and bluegill are the draw. It goes down to about 120 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Youghiogheny River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir that straddles the Pennsylvania-Maryland border near Confluence. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Youghiogheny River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir)

At 1,730 acres, Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir) is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is about 5.2 miles south of Zion. It is the Bald Eagle Creek behind Foster Joseph Sayers Dam. Yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, often called Blanchard Reservoir locally, lies within Bald Eagle State Park on Bald Eagle Creek. Under the ice, yellow perch: cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir (Blanchard Reservoir) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Wilhelm

Lake Wilhelm is a reservoir of some 1,680 acres. You will find it about 2.3 miles south of Stoneboro. Expect yellow perch, crappie, bluegill and walleye. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Lake Wilhelm was created in 1971 by damming Sandy Creek and lies within Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Under the ice, yellow perch: cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

Lake Wilhelm today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Glendale Lake

Glendale Lake is a reservoir of 1,640 acres. It lies near Patton. Northern pike, crappie, bluegill and yellow perch are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Glendale Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie