| HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 11) – After waiting more than four years for their local lake to be refilled, anglers will once again be able to fish Cumberland County’s Opossum Lake beginning March 30, when the regional opening day of trout kicks off at 8 a.m. in 18 southeastern counties.
 To celebrate the reopening that morning, Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director John Arway will host a short ceremony at 7:30 a.m. He will be joined by local legislators, county and township officials, and representatives from the Friends of Opossum Lake Conservancy (FOLC). The event will conclude with a ceremonial “first cast” at 8 a.m.
The event will take place at the lake’s pavilion at the main public access area off Opossum Lake Road.
In advance of the regional opener, the PFBC will stock the lake with rainbow trout on March 22.
The 59-acre lake near Carlisle was drained in late 2008 by the PFBC after routine inspections discovered that the dam’s spillway had cracks and was leaking.
The PFBC rebuilt the dam’s spillway over a two-year period from May 2010 to February 2012 using a combination of local and state funds, including $1.5 million secured by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) from the state’s capital budget, $100,000 from Lower Frankford Township and $609,000 from Cumberland County. The PFBC contributed $775,000. Private individuals also donated funds to the FOLC. The total project cost approximately $3.38 million.
Since its beginning, the FOLC has raised approximately $100,000 locally from individuals, businesses, and small foundations. All of the money has been used to help restore the lake and provide facilities, such as a picnic pavilion and restrooms, a handicapped accessible fishing pier, new docking facilities, and a handicap accessible trail.
Media Contacts
Fish and Boat Commission
Eric Levis, Press Secretary
717.705.7806
elevis@pa.gov
Friends of Opossum Lake Conservancy
Ed Franco
717.576.7498
efranco99@comcast.net |
