#76 of the LakePA 100 · South Central
Holman Lake
Perry County · South Central region · 88 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 88 acres as listed by the state park's boating page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the state park's boating 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
Holman Lake Access #1
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.45336, -77.18358 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Holman Lake Access #2
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.45521, -77.17518 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Little Buffalo State Park launch
Ramp
Launch point from DCNR's state park map data.
40.45258, -77.19168 (about ±50 m)
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 Little Buffalo State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Holman Lake
Holman Lake holds spot 76 on the LakePA 100. It is an 88-acre reservoir in Perry County, part of the South Central region. Some sources list it as Little Buffalo Lake (Holman Lake) and Little Buffalo Lake. The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. 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. (Boat rules as listed by the state park's boating page.) We list three put-ins, including Holman Lake Access #1, Holman Lake Access #2 and Little Buffalo State Park launch. Holman Lake Access #1 has a paved ramp, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. At Fish and Boat Commission and state park launches your boat needs a Pennsylvania 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 South Central region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 20 miles from Harrisburg 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 Holman Lake
Where do I put in at Holman Lake?
Holman Lake has three listed put-ins: Holman Lake Access #1, Holman Lake Access #2, Little Buffalo State Park launch. Holman Lake Access #1 is at 40.45336, -77.18358 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Holman Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the state park's boating page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Holman Lake?
Yes, at the state park 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 Holman Lake?
88 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Little Buffalo Creek, PA00582) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- DCNR State Parks GIS (park boat launches) — 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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