Largemouth bass are one of the species that draw anglers to Lake Arthur.

Long considered one of the better lakes in the state for oversized largemouth bass, Lake Arthur continues to be a viable destination for a variety of warm-water species. Often the action picks up as summer transitions into fall and extends well into the cold weather season.

The centerpiece of Moraine State Park, Lake Arthur sees heavy usage from many types of recreationalists. In addition to anglers, one can expect to see sailboats and windsurfers during pleasant weather weekends. As fall progresses boating pressure decreases, though you might bump into waterfowl hunters later in the season.

Lake Arthur covers just over 3,200 acres. It sets within low-lying hills, and is relatively shallow, attaining depths of just over 30 feet. From an angler’s standpoint it’s a highly interesting lake, with many bays and fingers that splay out from a comparatively modest main lake basin area. It’s fertile waters are stained, and support weedgrowth out to depths of around five to six feet. The invasive species hydrilla is present in the lake. Anglers and boaters need to take precautions — including the cleaning/drying of boats and trailers, and draining of all livewells — to help prevent the spread of this plant, one which often chokes out more desirable aquatic species such as milfoil.

Fish species-wise, anglers have plenty to choose from at Arthur. Besides the previously mentioned largemouth bass, there are muskies, northern pike, walleye, hybrid striped bass, channel cats, crappies and bluegills. Arthur’s gamefish are well-fed, as it contains both alewife and gizzard shad besides various minnow species, as well as young sunfish and yellow perch.

Examining Lake Arthur on an east-to-west basis, the upper end (easternmost) of the lake exists as three major bays: Muddy Creek, Swamp Run and Shannon Run. There is a propagation area in the back end of Swamp Run Bay which is off-limits to boaters. All three bays are above the Route 528 bridge. This is good water for both bass and muskies.

The reach from the Route 528 bridge out to Nealeys Point features numerous bays such as Trout Cove and Davis Hollow. A submerged railroad bed is an important piece of structure within this stretch. The old railroad bed runs from the Muddy Creek arm the entire length of the lake, exiting near the dam breast.

Big Run Bay comes in from the south, and also joins the main lake in the Nealeys Point area. The submerged old Route 422 roadbed runs through this lengthy bay and also extends the length of the lake, exiting just south of the dam breast.

The main basin of the lake lies between Barber Point (to the west) and Nealys Point. Both the submerged railroad bed and submerged Rte. 422 roadbed are important structures within the main lake basin.

Within the area near the dam breast, Lake Arthur takes on a slightly different character. In general, the breaks into deep water are sharper. Points such as Duck Point (found near the dam breast) and points/flats extending off Gravel Island collect fall largemouths. The large, stump-covered flat near Gravel Island (which has a channel cut through it which is the old railroad bed) is another good bass spot.

Walleye anglers score by trolling both submerged road beds, particularly within the main-lake basin. Blade baits jigged along the edge of the railroad bed also produce ‘eyes well into the fall. Blades also dupe walleyes in the deep spots near the dam, ones associated with points/flats that drop off into the depths.

Though the most recent Fish and Boat Commission survey showed a drop-off in musky numbers (compared to prior surveys), it still has a viable musky population with trophy fish available. Trollers take muskies right up until ice-up trolling shad-imitating baits. Locally-produced Wiley Lures are particularly effective there.

While much of the hybrid striper attention is focused during the spring and early summer, hybrids can be taken in the fall as well. These fish are never far from bait, so key in on schools of shad and alewife. Often the early morning hours produce best during the early fall, with the nod going to jerkbaits like the Bomber Long A in a blue/chrome finish.

Many folks target Arthur for its abundant crappies. Both black and white crappies are found there, with a nice size structure of both varieties. The Fish and Boat Commission has placed an abundance of cribs and other crappie-attracting cover in Lake Arthur, the location of which is shown (with GPS coordinates) on a map available on the agency’s website. Go to www.fishandboat.com, then click on “fish,” and then “habitat” to get to the page with the maps. The state DCNR also has excellent his-res structure maps of Lake Arthur, which can be found on its website. Go the DCNR’s state park page and choose Moraine State Park. The maps can be found from both the “fishing” and “boating” links located there.

Motors are limited to 20 horsepower on Lake Arthur. Nine boat ramps are scattered around the lake. Two of the more popular access areas include the 528 ramp (near the Route 528 bridge) and Bear Run (near the Route 422 bridge).

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.