Update on Somerset Lake

Not sure, maybe I'm missing something here since I've been away fro PA. for so long. But, maybe I'm not sure what the "Update" in this post means? I thought the lake was drained, fished removed and restoration work underway and/or completed. Is this thread stating they have NOT EVEN started or have have a construction company bid yet? Is this turning into the Tamarack disaster?  I was actually expecting to be hearing news of Somerset being filled and open to fishing again soon. Anyone know of or have any "Links" to any official news articles on the lakes situation???

Supposedly they have gotten their permits for the work and awaiting bids for the work.  I really doubt if the lake will be fishable for several more years.  Donegal was lowered a year before Somerset and as far as I know it's still being worked on.
 
 
I'm 72 years old and doubt if I will see it fishable again but who knows?

After I retired 1n 2006 I spent a lot of time in my boat on that lake.  It was probably about 2 miles from my house.  I could go fish a while and if I got bored I would just leave.  I'm sure it has affected a lot of people but there probably wasn't much the fish commission could do.



 
I have read about Tamarack lake on here and also in the Pa. Angler and it sure sounded like a great lake at one time.  Hopefully all these repaired lakes can return to what they once were.
 
 
 
 

davef
Supposedly they have gotten their permits for the work and awaiting bids for the work.  I really doubt if the lake will be fishable for several more years.  Donegal was lowered a year before Somerset and as far as I know it's still being worked on.
 
 
I'm 72 years old and doubt if I will see it fishable again but who knows?

I'm 67 and may get to fish it some day.  But who knows when.

Long story; but I left Pgh when I joined the military after all the mills shut down and the entire metro area was laid off. The Pa Fish Commission was terrible then, outside the trout program. While in the military I fished NUMEROUS states. They all had better "fishing" programs than PA. Those states proved the fact PA programs were lacking.
 
 Now that I plan to retire back home (probably NW PA), researching the internet doesn't show any signs that the PA Fish Commission has improved. Even in the slightest bit.  Are they ever in the news being questioned? Are they protested against or challenged???
 
 I mean why drain a lake, remove the fish and then FILL IT BACK UP, before the construction work is started?
 
 Why drain the lake, remove the fish, THEN decide to bid a contract? Shouldn't the back hoe/earth movers bid be awarded, paid and them standing by to start work the minute the last fish was removed?
 
 I'm not understanding.....Why was the lake filled back up devoid of fish? Why was it filled back up without any work being done while it was down?
 
 I forget what state I was stationed at. But, they had a dam breach. They purchased property behind the dam, built a new dam first, behind the old one, lowered lake levels half way (fishing still allowed) then demolished the old breached dam. Walla, the Lake was filled up and back to normal.
 
 Is the PA fish commission planning on building fish habitat at Donegal, Tamarack or Somerset, while the waters out. Dredge out channels, add boulder/gravel mounds, create points, dropoffs & gravel flats, etc., etc.
 
Where's all the big fish programs other states have???  Catch a trophy walleye, bass, crappie, muskie etc. Call the fish commission; they come get the fish and use it for milking/breeding.  Fish commission gets it mounted for you for donating the fish to the program. You get a mount of your trophy, the fish commission gets a breeder with trophy bloodlines. You put together a 450 lb, 7 ft 3 in male with a 400 lb, 6 ft 7 in female, your gonna have some big (trophy) babies. Imagine the money that would pour into the state, into commission and the program if they filled the 3 rivers and the Susquehanna River with 50 inch Musky bloodline off spring??? 8 lb largemouth offspring in certain bassy waters, trophy walleye offspring in Erie and others big waters???. Monster Striper offspring in Raystown etc., etc., etc.......
 
Instead, they stock 600 fingerlings in a lake hoping 1 or 2 survive, instead of letting them reach a sustanable/survivable size.
 
SO I'm asking those of you living in PA right now, is there anything that can be done? Are they getting complaints at their public meetings? Or are they so politically protected (corupt) that they're untouchable? Or am I just wrong and they are doing a better job than it appears?

SteelFishinMusky
 
 
 Now that I plan to retire back home (probably NW PA), researching the internet doesn't show any signs that the PA Fish Commission has improved. Even in the slightest bit.  

if your steel fishin for musky, then maybe you should look into how the state has changed its musky stocking program...  its on the internet. 

told ya 
 
also, pay your $12 voluntary musky tag.  

The only lake that I have seen drained and get repaired ASAP is Kyle Lake in Jefferson County....only cause I-80 is downstream of the dam.

ZelieSam
...but there's this lake North of Pittsburgh called "Hereford Manor."  ...I expect it will still be a field after I'm on a beach in Florida retired.  

 

crappiefisher
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/hunting-fishing/2012/03/11/North-Park-Lake-has-new-lease-on-life/stories/201203110170

 
There is a give and take for living in areas with higher/lower taxes.  

SteelFishinMusky, if you're lookin' for a lot of good info and really want to find out what's goin' on in the western part of the state, there is a local club called 3 Rivers Musky Club. Both of my boys belong to it. Meetings once each month with guest speakers, (often from the PFBC), they have many members who are tackle manufacturers, and always have lots of goodies for door prizes at the meetings. They do a few tournaments every year; ie Lake Arthur, Allegheny and Mon Rivers, and I think Pymie. Both of the boys like it.

Looks like they awarded a contract for spillway repairs.  Anyone know if there is any activity up there?  They say they are draining it for construction to start.

I drove past the breast today and went to the boat launch area.  There is equipment at the breast doing some work .  Probably getting ready for major work in the spring.  They have some dirt moved and have the black sand tubes laid out on the ground I assume to help with water runoff.  On the drive back to the launch they have flag markers on both sides of the road all the way to the current launch area.  I have no idea if any work will be done to the road.
 
They did clear a large area of pine trees on the left side of the road about half way from the gate that is usually open and the launch.  No idea what that is for.

Thanks for the update Dave.  Last time I was up that way all I saw was equipment parked at the breast.   No activity was going on.