USING LAKE HENRY
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."—Confucius
Lake Henry is calling...
Lake Henry has been calling fishermen for too many years to count. Many years ago in the 1800's, Henry Silkman dammed Cobb Pond to create the greater body of water now known as Lake Henry, flooding the land of the Van Sickle family in the north end, where the Swoyer family, heirs of the Van Sickles, still own and operate a boat livery today. Lake Henry once held the state record for largest catfish; train excursions were regularly conducted from Scranton to Lake Henry; and socialites' fishing trips were often posted in the Scranton Times. 310 acre Lake Henry is man-made and began as Cobb Pond. It contains natural fed springs, floating islands, stumps/fish habitat, and ranges in depth from 3 to 15 feet at the northern end of the lake to 30 feet at the southern end.
Caution and Courtesy
Maintain a clockwise motion in the deeper section of the lake where you can encounter tubers and water skiers. Lake Henry has no current restrictions on motor size. However, all boaters must use greater caution in the north end which ends at the buoys to enter the south end. A slow-no-wake is advised in the north end. Most boaters use a common path out to the south end - head straight out of the channel between the two islands, and make a right behind the second island. From there, head straight through to the south end.
Reminder: All boaters born after 1981 must obtain a Boating Safety Education Certificate to pilot a boat of 26 horsepower or greater.
Stumps and floating islands exist in parts of the lake. While these conditions contribute to excellent fish habitat and add to the aesthetics of the lake, they also present navigational challenges. There are areas of the lake, greater in depth, which provide opportunities to tube and ski, however caution must be taken in all areas of the lake. Outcroppings in the south end of the lake are clearly marked. Stumps in the north end may not always be marked.
Although you will see jet skis on the lake. Clayton Park does not allow jet skis through its launch service, due to the potential speed hazards and existing navigational challenges.
We expect all boaters to display courtesy and respect to others and their property while using the lake. If at any time you encounter someone exhibiting behavior to be otherwise than courteous. Take a picture of the boat license and forward it to camp@claytonpark.net with your complain or incident. It is a community effort to maintain a peaceful and courteous environment. Report incidents when they happen, as delays create hurdles to resolutions.
Protect against invasive weeds
Please help us protect our waters from invasive weeds. We remind you to practice rinsing your boat between launches to different waters. For your convenience, we provide hoses at the entrance and the boat ramp. Use of herbicides, chemicals, or other treatments is prohibited.
Laws & regs
LICENSE REQUIRED: A valid PA fishing license is required for all persons age 16 and over and must be displayed at all times. (Check out free fishing days (no license required) on the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s website) If you can't get to a store to purchase a license, you can obtain a license online at the PA Fish and Boat Commission's website from our store computer, which can be printed for immediate use.
PFBC: We are a private lake. However, PFBC Officers regularly patrol our waters. All fishermen must obtain, read and abide by PA Fish & Boat Commission boating and fishing laws and any other state, local and federal laws in force. Contact our local PFBC in Sweet Valley for more information at 570-477-5717 .
Etiquette & Courtesy
Using Lake Henry is a privilege, not a right.
BEHAVIOR: All persons using the lake are expected to act with consideration of others first and foremost. Foul language while using Lake Henry is prohibited. Campers and guests may not disturb neighboring campers, boaters, or cottagers with loud conversations, music, or otherwise disturbing the peace and quiet of Lake Henry Although the waters of Lake Henry are open to the public, the property surrounding the lake is private. Be careful when casting near others boats, docks and land. You may never trespass on to boats, docks or property, and should not fish within 50 feet of a dock. Clayton Park reserves the right to restrict access to our boat launch in light of what Clayton Park determines as discourteous, illegal or dangerous behavior while boating on Lake Henry. We note that courteous behavior is also expected from campers and landowners with shoreline around the lake. Should you encounter otherwise, report this behavior to our office at the time it happens. Call our office at 570-698-6080 and/or contact the PFBC at 570-477-5717.
DOCK FISHING: Clayton Park asks its fisher-persons not to cast a rod within 50 feet of a dock. Please report violations of this protocol when they happen. When reporting, provide as many details as possible, including a picture with boat license number.
QUIET HOURS: There is a slow/no-wake rule from sundown to 8am for our boaters. Anglers must abide by Clayton Park's quiet hours, which end at 8am. Always be mindful of nearby campers and cottagers who are sleeping. No car horns, loud talking, or other disturbing behaviors, as determined by Clayton Park management, will be tolerated. Night fishing is prohibited.
