Alternate A5 · North Central
Lake Nessmuk
Tioga County · North Central region · 60 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 60 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
Nessmuk Lake access area
Ramp · ramp, pier
41.72712, -77.28879 (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
PFBC's access map lists 'Lake under drawdown' at the Nessmuk access (checked 4 Oct 2026). Check PFBC's PA Lakes page before you go.
Access notice from the operator, published Oct 4, 2026.
About Lake Nessmuk
Alternate A5 is Lake Nessmuk, a 60-acre reservoir in Tioga County (North Central region). 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 Nessmuk Lake access area, which has a launch ramp, a pier 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 is an alternate this season because of a dated closure or drawdown notice, so read the notice box before you plan a trip. Logging it moves you toward the North Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 36 miles from Williamsport. 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 Lake Nessmuk
Where do I put in at Lake Nessmuk?
Lake Nessmuk has one listed put-in: Nessmuk Lake access area. Nessmuk Lake access area is at 41.72712, -77.28879 with ramp, pier; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Lake Nessmuk?
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 Lake Nessmuk?
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 Lake Nessmuk?
60 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Is there a notice for Lake Nessmuk?
PFBC's access map lists 'Lake under drawdown' at the Nessmuk access (checked 4 Oct 2026). Check PFBC's PA Lakes page before you go. Source: the operator, published Oct 4, 2026.
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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