Officially, Lake Augusta consists of 3,060 acres, making it one of the largest impoundments in the center part of the state. The existence of the lake depends on the inflatable Fabridam, and lately the state is having trouble with some of the thick rubber bags that form this structure. There is no money to replace the broken pieces, though it appears the construction of a fish ladder around the dam is progressing.

Most of the reason the Fabridam is kept in place is to support pleasure boating, including water skiing. You can't water ski on the shallow, extremely rocky area of the lower Susquehanna, but it is possible on the 6-foot-deep waters of Lake Augusta.

The deeper waters form a habitat that grows some of the biggest smallmouths in the state.

Lake Augusta could have suffered a major blow to its future fisheries after Hurricane Ivan were it not for the quick work of some of the employees at the adjoining Shikellamy State Park. Literally thousands of fingerling fish were left high and nearly dry when Ivan's floodwaters receded. The park's head of maintenance, Mark Peters, used buckets and heavy equipment to scoop up many of the young fish that would have been stranded on the spot.

Peters said countless 2- to 4-inch smallmouths and many other species were rescued and returned to the lake.

There are no real key locations for fishing the deep water in Lake Augusta. Look for typical rocky and medium-current waters that provide good bass fishing throughout the Susquehanna River.

Boat ramps are on the point and at Packers Island in Northumberland County. To reach the point, take Route 11 south from Danville; for Packers Island, take Route 147 into the Shikellamy Marina. For more park information, call (570) 988-5557.

FOSTER JOSEPH SAYERS LAKE
Anglers from the western and central portions of the state travel to Foster Sayers Lake for one good reason -- the bass fishing can be that good. The 1,730-acre impoundment in Centre County is a challenge for the veteran bass angler.

Consisting mainly of straight shorelines with only a few small indentations and one large cove, F.J. Sayers Lake is a test of deep-water skills. As the shoreline shrinks with dry summer weather, bare banks are exposed and the drop into deep water is an even faster descent.

F.J. Sayers Lake contains big bass because it has the forage base to support it. Bass feast on bluegills here, so bluegill-colored crankbaits are the way to go.

The lake has nearly 24 miles of shoreline, plus a winding channel that runs for nearly eight miles from the dam to the top of the lake. Summer swarms of pleasure boaters may make much of the lake unpleasant for fishing, but the upper half (south of the Howard Borough Park) is still a good bet.

For first-time visitors, try the area around the Mill Street launch in Howard. This zone is rich with structure including grass, brushpiles and laydowns.

F.J. Sayers Lake is part of the 5,900-acre Bald Eagle State Park. The lake has six boat launches and a marina. The marina is in the sheltered lower end. Hunter's Run Cove has two ramps and is a place to retreat for some fishing when the water skiers' waves become too much to handle.

The lake is on Route 150 off I-80. The state park has modern and primitive camping facilities. For more information, call (814) 625-2775. To reach the marina, call (814) 625-2951.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For additional information on camping and other accommodations, call (800)-VISIT-PA or (888)-PA-PARKS.