Independent site — not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) or the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Official sources are linked on every page.
On PFBC's ice-fishing destination list (retrieved Oct 4, 2026)
Mauch Chunk Lake covers 330 acres in Carbon County, on PFBC-owned land. PFBC biologists last reported on it in April 2024. The 2026 advisory has no lake-specific row for it; the statewide one-meal-a-week advice applies.
What PFBC biologists found
Apr 2024 survey · 2 years ago
PFBC biologist report
Gear: trap nets, night electrofishing, boat electrofishing
Trap nets captured 313 Bluegill, with lengths ranging from 2 to 10 inches. (p. 1)
Findings are our short summaries of one survey at one time. Every number was checked against the cited page of PFBC's report. We don't rate lakes.
On PFBC's 2026 trout-stocking schedule
Mauch Chunk Lake is not on PFBC's 2026 adult trout schedule (as published Oct 4, 2026).
Fish consumption advice (2026 list)
No lake-specific advice for Mauch Chunk Lake in the 2026 list.
Statewide advice:“Pennsylvania has issued a general, statewide health advisory for recreationally caught sport fish: eat no more than one meal (1/2 pound) per week of sport fish caught in the state’s waterways.”
“People who regularly eat sport fish, women of childbearing age and children are particularly susceptible to contaminants that build up over time.”
DEP: “The advisory listing was current at the time this summary went to press. Fish consumption advisories may have been issued or lifted since that time.”
Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass: 15-inch minimum and 4 a day (combined) from Jan. 1 through April 10 and from June 13 through Dec. 31; catch and immediate release only from April 11 through June 12, with no tournaments. Other species follow inland rules.
The 2026 advisory has no lake-specific row for Mauch Chunk Lake. The statewide advice — no more than one meal (1/2 pound) a week of sport fish — still applies. Not medical advice.
What fish are in Mauch Chunk Lake?
PFBC's April 2024 survey recorded: Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Chain Pickerel, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, Banded Killifish. Surveys record what biologists caught with their gear on those days, not everything in the lake.
Is Mauch Chunk Lake a Big Bass lake?
Yes. PFBC's special-regulation data and the 2026 Fishing Summary (p. 11) list it in the Big Bass Program: Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass: 15-inch minimum and 4 a day (combined) from Jan. 1 through April 10 and from June 13 through Dec. 31; catch and immediate release only from April 11 through June 12, with no tournaments. Other species follow inland rules.