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The state Fish and Boat Commission is alerting anglers that effective immediately, a temporary change in regulations has been enacted on Hunters Lake in Sullivan County. Seasons, sizes, and daily limits for all game fish, except trout, have been removed.
This is in anticipation of an upcoming dam and infrastructure rehabilitation project to meet state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) dam safety standards.
A state legislator representing the lake community chimed in.
"I appreciate the Fish and Boat Commission taking a proactive approach for the Dam Rehabilitation at Hunters Lake," said state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township.
"These improvements will ensure Hunters Lake can be enjoyed for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, and outdoor recreation for many generations to come. I encourage anglers to take advantage of these temporary fishing regulations while they are in place."
Work will include removing and replacing portions of the dam's downstream rock toe, installing a new internal drainage system to improve stability, reshaping the downstream slope to meet current engineering standards, and upgrading the dam's principal spillway control tower.
The current project timeline is for the lake drawdown to start in fall 2027 and construction to begin in spring 2028.
Construction is expected to last approximately 1.5 years, with the reservoir refilling scheduled for summer 2029 with a fall 2029 reopening.
The project timeline and construction timeline are subject to change depending upon weather and conditions at the project site.
Hunters Lake is included in the Stocked Trout Waters Program, and the drawdown will not impact the remaining 2026 scheduled stockings or the spring 2027 stockings.