#33 of the LakePA 100 · Northeast
Briar Creek Lake
Columbia County · Northeast region · 51 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 51 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
Briar Creek access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
41.06785, -76.28203 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Briar Creek Lake
Briar Creek Lake is number 33 on the LakePA 100: a 51-acre reservoir in Columbia County, in our Northeast region. You may also see it called Briar Creek Reservoir. That acreage is the figure given by the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. It is one of the Small Water lakes, our tier for lakes under a hundred acres. Only paddle craft and electric-motor boats may use it, so it counts as Quiet Water. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. You launch at Briar Creek access area, which has a paved ramp, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. Launching at a Fish and Boat Commission or state park site requires a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the Northeast region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 24 miles from Wilkes-Barre to the nearest put-in. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Briar Creek Lake
Where do I put in at Briar Creek Lake?
Briar Creek Lake has one listed put-in: Briar Creek access area. Briar Creek access area is at 41.06785, -76.28203 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Briar Creek Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Briar Creek Lake?
Yes, at the Fish and Boat Commission launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Briar Creek Lake?
51 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
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