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Catch and Release Lakes — PFBC special-regulation data (Mar 2026)
Latest PFBC survey
April 2024 (2 years ago)
On the 2026 trout schedule
No (as published Oct 4, 2026)
Fish-consumption advisory
Yes — 2026 list
Tamarack Lake covers 562 acres in Crawford County, on PFBC-owned land. PFBC biologists last reported on it in April 2024. The 2026 advisory lists Muskellunge here at 1 meal/month, and 1 more row.
What PFBC biologists found
Apr 2024 survey · 2 years ago
PFBC biologist report
Gear: trap nets, night electrofishing, boat electrofishing
Trap nets captured 115 Walleye measuring 15 to 21 inches at 0.33 fish per net hour. (p. 3)
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
Tamarack Lake is not on PFBC's 2026 adult trout schedule (as published Oct 4, 2026).
Fish consumption advice (2026 list)
2026 DEP/PFBC fish consumption advisory, updated Feb 27, 2026.
Species
Meal advice
Contaminant
Area
Muskellunge
1 meal/month
Mercury
Entire lake
Walleye
2 meals/month
Mercury
Entire lake
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.”
PFBC's special-regulation data (Mar 2026) lists this lake under Catch and Release Lakes, but the 2026 Summary's Catch and Release Lakes list (p. 15) does not name it. Check the posted signs and PFBC.
PFBC special-regulation data (Mar 2026)
The 2026 Fishing Summary lists Tamarack Lake in the Big Bass Program (p. 11) and under Panfish Enhancement for Sunfish (7-inch minimum) and Crappie (9-inch minimum), 20 a day (p. 15); PFBC's special-regulation data (Mar 2026) does not show this yet. The current Summary and posted signs govern. PFBC ↗
Summarized. The current Pennsylvania Fishing Summary, 58 Pa. Code and posted signs govern.
The 2026 DEP/PFBC advisory lists: Muskellunge — 1 meal/month (Mercury); Walleye — 2 meals/month (Mercury). The statewide advice is one meal a week of sport fish. Not medical advice.
What fish are in Tamarack Lake?
PFBC's April 2024 survey recorded: Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Muskellunge, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye. Surveys record what biologists caught with their gear on those days, not everything in the lake.