Spring Comes to Rose Valley Lake
GAMBLE TOWNSHIP -- Area residents welcome March and are looking forward to a brilliant, warm weekend. If you feel the urge to wander outdoors and affirm that spring is, indeed, on the way, consider an outing to Rose Valley Lake, a 389-acre reservoir in northern Lycoming County.
The Gamble Township lake is five miles east of Trout Run and U.S. Route 15, and is a great destination for panfish and paddling. It is limited to un-powered boats and boats powered by electric motors only.
The lake is managed under the Big Bass Program. Muskellunge and walleye fingerling are stocked here and the lake has yielded a number of good-sized muskie in recent years.
A range of water birds may be seen in season, including diving ducks such as Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks, dabblers including the American Wigeon and Northern Pintail, Long-Tailed duck and Cocters. Pied-Billed Grebe, Common Merganser and Common Loon are regularly seen. Flocks of gulls, including Bonaparte's Gull, pass through.
Search the marsh northern part of the lake for herons, muskrats and snappng turtles around the reeds and cattails where Red-winged Blackbirds claim territories with their "kong-ka-ree" sounding song. Other wildlife around the lake includes red fox, skunk and raccoon.
FISHING
Rose Valley Lake is managed under Big Bass Program special regulations. All other species are managed under Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations.
Fish habitat structures have been placed in the lake over the years as part of the Commission's Cooperative Fish Habitat Improvement Program.
BOATING
Boating at Rose Valley Lake is limited to boats powered by electric motors and un-powered boats such as sailboats, canoes and kayaks. Three surfaced launch ramps are available along with associated parking facilities.
Un-powered boats may be moored at the lake in accordance with Commission property regulations. To be used at the lake, boats must be registered or have a valid launch permit (permits are issued by the Commission or PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources).
In the past, a local sailing club has organized races on the lake and may return this summer for weekend events. The group has launched a Web site to encourage new sailors to join and to tempt other boating enthusiasts to use Rose Valley. More information about the group and directions to the lake is on the Internet at http://www.rosevalleyboatclub.com.
