Lake Wilhelm is situated in the 2,586 acre Maurice K. Goddard State Park. The 1,680 acre lake is located about half an hours drive south of Meadville just off I-79 or about an hour and a quarter if you’re coming out of Pittsburgh. At Lake Wilhelm fishing is especially popular due to the well maintained fishing piers, the many boat ramps and the fact that you can throw a line in here all year around.
Ice Fishing is commonly practiced at Lake Wilhelm, so all you diehard anglers don’t have to hibernate for the winter!
Let’s look at some of the finer details that you’ll need to know when going fishing at Lake Wilhelm including local boat ramps, fishing piers and nearby bait shops.
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Fishing at Lake Wilhelm in Pennsylvania
The lake is well suited to both bank fishing and boat fishing. For boaters, there is a 241 space marina on the lake as well as a dry land mooring area with room for 48 boats that is open through the summer months. There are four boat ramps around the lake and a fuel station too, so you can fill up when you arrive if you need to.
Some parts of the lake are cordoned off to motor boats to allow kayaks, canoes and rowboats to have some space to themselves. So take your kayak or your boat to Lake Wilhelm and you’ll be welcomed out on the water.
For bank fishing you will find an accessible fishing pier near the marina parking lot as well as a second fishing pier which sits next to boat ramp #4. You can stock up on bait and tackle onsite at the tackle shop at the marina. The bait shop is currently trading as Bubba Mak’s bait shop but it was previously known as Fergie’s Bait and Tackle. They have a great selection of live baits including:
- Small and medium fathead minnows
- Trout worms
- Nightcrawlers
- Grubs
- Meal Worms
- Shiners
The fishing at Lake Wilhelm is particularly good in the winter months but remember to always put safety first. The ice thickness is not monitored at Lake Wilhelm so you should always measure it yourself before settling in for a day’s fishing. You’ll want at least 4 inches of ice if you’re by yourself and at least 7 inches if you’re fishing in a pair.
What kind of fish are in Lake Wilhelm?
There is a wide variety of fish in Lake Wilhelm and fishermen can expect to regularly catch:
- Largemouth Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
- Muskie
- Sunfish
- Yellow Perch
The biggest fish caught in Lake Wilhelm are pulled in by ice fishermen after the lake freezes over so try your luck over the winter months.
Lake Wilhelm Fishing Map
Below you will find a map of Lake Wilhem PA so you can find your way to the lake. Then below that map is a zoomed in map that shows you the facilities on Lack Wilhelm including fishing piers, boat ramps, hiking trails, restrooms, cross country ski trails and picnic areas.
Lake Wilhelm Contact Information
The Maurice K. Goddard State Park Office is your point of contact for Lake Wilhelm and they are more than happy to relay current lake conditions and answer any questions you have about the lake.
Contact: Maurice K. Goddard State Park
Address: 684 Lake Wilhelm Rd, Sandy Lake, PA 16145
Phone: 724-253-4833
The Last Cast
Next time you have a spare weekend consider taking a trip up to Lake Wilhelm in Pennsylvania to go fishing. Take your kayak, take your boat, take your rod! You’ll be sure to have a bit of fun off the fishing piers on the banks or on your vessel out on the waters. At Lake Wilhelm fishing in the colder months of the year is absolutely fantastic, so take your ice axe with you too and try and catch one of the monsters of the lake that is hiding under the ice!
Lake Wilhelm in Maurice K Goddard State Park is a great fishing spot with plenty of facilities to keep you busy all weekend. Check it out next time you are in the area, it’s worth a look.
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