Dunlap Creek Lake Park Fayette County’s best kept secret
Rod Schoener
This trophy brown trout was stocked by Dunlap Creek Lake Co-op Stocking Committee during last spring’s initial trophy trout stocking. Two or three stockings are planned this year. The first is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2. (Photo by Rod Schoener)
Pictured is the 2015 "I Helped Stock Dunlap Lake" fund-raising button that is being sold by the Dunlap Lake Co-op Stocking Committee to raise funds for its annual trophy trout stockings at the lake. (Photo by Rod Schoener)
When it comes to outdoor opportunities for hunters and fishermen, Fayette County is hard to beat.
And when it comes to fishing — especially for a family outing — Dunlap Creek Lake Park in Menallen Township is probably the county’s best kept secret.
While the park is no secret, it’s amazing how many people say they have never been there, including some die-hard fishermen.
The 50-acre lake is open for year-round fishing.
Fishing at the lake is governed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which stocks trout at the lake once prior to opening day of trout season, twice during the early weeks of the season and once in the fall.
In addition to the trout stocking, the Fish and Boat Commission stocks saugeye fingerlings on a regular basis to supplement the many warm water species found in the lake, including bass, walleye, crappie bass, sunfish, perch, carp, catfish and bluegills.
Through the efforts of the Fish Commission’s Fish Habitat Improvement Program more than 100 porcupine cribs were constructed and submerged throughout the lake to provide cover for young fish.
The lake features a paved boat launch ramp and dock.
Unpowered boats and boats with electric motors can be used at the lake, but all boats must be registered and have a valid launch permit.
Fishing and paddle boats are available for rent from the privately owned bait and tackle shop at the lake.
Around the lake, there are tables, grills for those wanting to picnic, and pavilions are available for rent from the county.
In addition to fishing opportunities, the 74-acre park offers playground areas for the youngsters and ample room away from the shoreline for family games and activities, including a baseball field.
Thanks to the efforts of the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, the Menallen Township supervisors and the Dunlap Lake Co-op Stocking Committee, disabled fishermen have easier access to the shoreline.
Several years ago, a disability parking area was established at the corner of the offside of the lake, and an asphalt walkway was installed along the shoreline near the lot to provide those in wheelchairs easy access to the water’s edge for fishing or just relaxing.
There are also two docks — one on either side of the lake — that are reserved for disabled anglers.
The lake also has a special “Kids Pond” fishing area which is set aside just for youngsters 12-and-under.
The area is stocked with trout, and in years past, catfish were also stocked in the pond through the efforts of one of the area’s many sportsmen’s clubs.
The kids’ pond opened April 10 and will remain open just for the youngsters’ use until May 24 under a special permit issued by the Fish and Boat Commission.
Trout season officially opened Saturday, and the lake already received a preseason shipment of nice size, active trout.
The Fish and Boat Commission will also stock trout on April 25, May 13 and Oct. 1.
To augment the state stockings and give anglers a chance to catch more “trophy class” trout, the Dunlap Lake co-op holds two or three stockings each year that consist of trout no smaller than 14 inches up to 28 inches in length.
To pay for the stockings, the co-op sells “I Helped Stock Dunlap Lake” buttons for $10.
Button holders are eligible to claim prizes for tagged trout that are included in the club stockings.
In addition to the sale of buttons, the co-op receives donations from area businesses.
Other money is raised from the annual pulled-pork sandwich sale, which is always held on the day of the first club stocking, which is scheduled this year for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2.
Other projects the co-op is working on with county officials and private individuals are the construction of a paved walking path around the lake and new restroom facilities.
The secret is out, so tell everyone about this escape to the great outdoors.