I flipped through the archives this morning. My collections go back 16 years. I went trolling for Walleyes with Ian. Kayak Bassing was another. Norwegian Family Spencer turned some heads. Ice Fishing 101 with Jason Britton was chilly. Jace Spangler made fun of my puny panfish. Jensen and I ran into a beaver. Paddleboarding wasn’t for me. Throw in a few updates and praise. Yes. I counted 11 articles about her. Impressive list.
Rose Valley Lake continues to be a hot topic. Perhaps you have seen the posts. The lake is being drained. I have entertained several rumors. They need to make some repairs. We have chatted back and forth for the past 3 years. It is finally happening. Take a drive up to see it for yourselves. Surreal.
Rose Valley Lake is the largest body of water in Lycoming County. The man-made reservoir covers 389 gorgeous acres in Trout Run. The lake is owned by the Commonwealth. She is managed by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat. Rose Valley is a popular destination for local paddlers and bird enthusiasts. The primary use is for fishing. The Spencers and many others take advantage.
Rose Valley yields a variety of warm-weather species. We catch a ton of Largemouth Bass and Pickerel. Ice fishermen routinely pound monster Bluegills and Yellow Perch. There is a good population of Walleye. Even a few Smallmouths and an occasional Musky. I have been visiting Rose Valley for eons. Hundreds of photos. Many fantastic memories. She will be back.
Rose Valley was constructed in the mid 60s. The idea of a recreational lake was tossed around for several years. It took eight seasons for the Fish and Boat Commission to build her. They blocked and redirected Mill Creek by creating a dam measuring 25 feet high and 410 feet long. Water eventually poured into the basin to form our existing lake. Again. This dam is the reason for our concerns. And this is why we must drain the lake.
Our local politicians have done their best to update the masses. Change is never fun. It is never easy. A few are very disgruntled. I get it. Rose Valley is undergoing a major facelift. Once construction begins, the project is expected to last one and a half years. The current timeline is to have everything finished by 2030. The lake refill should take 6-9 months. The PA Fish and Boat will reintroduce fish immediately after the lake fills. Fisheries staffers plan to stock species that are current.
Hang in there, folks. I am still optimistic. This should all work out for the better. This remains a proactive approach to make Rose Valley Lake shine. My fingers are crossed. Not for me. For the next generation of enthusiasts. Hundreds of memories. Rose Valley is a fantastic place. Cheers.
