Heavy pleasure-boat traffic makes fishing difficult during midday at this popular summer vacation lake.

Harveys Lake is the largest natural lake in eastern Pennsylvania with an area of 658 acres. Shore fishing is difficult because most of its nine miles of shoreline is privately owned, although there is one Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access site.

Harveys Lake is close to the northern border of Luzerne County. From Wilkes-Barre, take state Route 309 west to Dallas and then state Route 415 west to Shawanese.

Visiting anglers can get information about local services from the Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 56 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701; by calling 1-888-905-2872; or by e-mail at tournepa@tournepa.com.

LAKE WINOLA
Lake Winola is northwest of Scranton in Wyoming County northeast of state Route 307 on state Route 2031. It has a surface area of about 200 acres. A maximum depth of about 55 feet keeps water cool to hold trout through the summer. There is boat access and only electric-powered motors are allowed. A fishing pier for disabled anglers has been provided.

"It gets fished pretty good, at night primarily. Folks out there use bright lights to attract zooplankton and they use live bait to catch the trout," Wnuk explained.

Favored baitfish here include fathead minnows and golden shiners.

Rainbows are the predominant trout species in Lake Winola because of the forage base and typically reach a maximum size of 15 to 16 inches.

"In Winola, trout primarily eat zooplankton," Wnuk said. "It's chuck full of it, and that's why its rainbows are doing really well."

For information on local services, contact the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, 712 Route 6 East, Tunkhannock, PA 18657; call 1-800-769-8999; or e-mail emvb@epix.net.

QUAKER LAKE
Several smaller lakes around the state will carry trout over through the summer months. One example in the Northeast Region is Quaker Lake, a deeper, oligotrophic lake that holds brown trout and rainbow trout.

It has a maximum depth of about 40 feet. Bolstering its ability to hold over trout is that it gets relatively light fishing pressure.

The use of motors in excess of 7.5 horsepower is prohibited. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has an access ramp off state Route 4002 that is suitable for shallow-draft boats or canoes. A fishing pier accessible to handicapped anglers is nearby.

Quaker Lake is in northern Susquehanna County. Exit Interstate Route 81 at New Milford, go west on U. S. Route 11, take state Route 706 to state Route 29, go north to Lawsville Center and then west to Laurel Lake. Quaker Lake is north of Laurel Lake on state Route 4002.

Information on local services is available from the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau (see above).

LAKE WALLENPAUPACK
Lake Wallenpaupack is a gem for trophy trout anglers. With its solid forage base of alewives, this lake is one of very few lakes in Pennsylvania that are capable of producing brown trout in excess of 20 pounds -- and it has them. The biggest drawback to summertime fishing here is the heavy pleasure-boat traffic. But on the plus side, there's ample access and plenty of places to look for those big browns.