#46 of the LakePA 100 · Northeast
Shohola Lake
Pike County · Northeast region · 1,134 acres
Quiet Water Big Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 1,134 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- Run by Pennsylvania Game Commission. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.) 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
Shohola Boat Ramp First Launch
Ramp · paved ramp
41.38998, -74.96924 (about ±50 m)
Parking: Roadside Parking (No Lot)
Run by Pennsylvania Game Commission. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Shohola Boat Ramp Second Launch
Ramp · ramp
41.38917, -74.97383 (about ±50 m)
Parking: Roadside Parking (No Lot)
Run by Pennsylvania Game Commission. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Shohola Lake
Number 46 on the LakePA 100 is Shohola Lake, a 1,134-acre reservoir in Pike County (Northeast region). Some sources list it as Shohola Marsh Reservoir. That acreage is the figure given by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map. At a thousand acres or more it is Big Water, so plan for wind and long crossings. It is Quiet Water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. (Boat rules as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access data.) There are two put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Shohola Boat Ramp First Launch and Shohola Boat Ramp Second Launch. Shohola Boat Ramp First Launch has a paved ramp and roadside parking only. The listed launches are run by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, so check its rules before you go. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. Logging it moves you toward the Northeast region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 36 miles from Scranton 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 Shohola Lake
Where do I put in at Shohola Lake?
Shohola Lake has two listed put-ins: Shohola Boat Ramp First Launch, Shohola Boat Ramp Second Launch. Shohola Boat Ramp First Launch is at 41.38998, -74.96924 with paved ramp; parking: Roadside Parking (No Lot).
Are motorboats allowed on Shohola Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Shohola Lake?
Shohola Lake's listed launches are run by Pennsylvania Game Commission; check its rules. Pennsylvania's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park or forest launches.
How big is Shohola Lake?
1,134 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map.
Sources
- PFBC PA Lakes map (lake layer) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Shohola Marsh, PA00412) — 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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