Lake Ontelaunee

Lake Ontelaunee is a 1,082-acre reservoir in Berks County, Pennsylvania, owned by the City of Reading and maintained as part of the municipal water supply system. The reservoir sits northeast of Reading, spreading across a broad valley where Maiden Creek flows south toward its confluence with the Schuylkill River. While its primary function is the storage and protection of drinking water, the lake and the public land surrounding it also serve as one of the larger open-space recreation areas in the county, drawing anglers, hunters, hikers, and birdwatchers throughout the year.

The property is distinctive among Pennsylvania lakes of its size because of the restrictions placed on it. No boats of any kind are permitted on the water, and swimming is prohibited. Those rules exist to protect water quality for the communities that depend on the reservoir, and they have the secondary effect of keeping the lake quiet. Visitors accustomed to the noise and congestion of motorboat lakes often find Lake Ontelaunee notably calm, with shoreline fishing and walking as the dominant activities.

History and Construction

The reservoir was created in 1926, when the City of Reading dammed Maiden Creek to expand and improve the water supply available to a growing industrial city. Reading had drawn on smaller upstream sources in earlier decades, but demand from households, mills, and factories outpaced what those systems could deliver. The Maiden Creek project consolidated the supply into a single large impoundment capable of storing water through dry summer months.

Construction flooded farmland, roads, and several small settlements along the creek valley. Bridges and relocated roadways from the period still define how visitors reach the lake today, and the causeways that carry traffic across the water remain among the most recognizable features of the landscape. The name Ontelaunee derives from the Lenape language and is generally translated as a reference to the little daughter creek, a name also carried by the surrounding township.

Nearly a century after its completion, the reservoir continues to function as originally intended, supplying treated water to Reading and portions of the surrounding area. Watershed land acquired to protect the supply has remained largely undeveloped, which is why the lake is bordered by woodland, fields, and old hedgerows rather than houses and docks.

Fishing

Lake Ontelaunee supports a large and varied fish population and is managed as public fishing water under Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations. Species reported in the lake include:

• Panfish such as bluegill, crappie, and sunfish
• Largemouth bass
• Common carp
• Bullhead catfish
• Channel catfish
• Alewife
• White perch
• Muskellunge

Because boats are not allowed, all fishing takes place from the bank, from causeway shorelines, or from the shallow flats where the creek enters the lake. Anglers adapt by walking the shoreline and working the points, coves, and drop-offs that are reachable on foot. The upper end of the lake, where Maiden Creek and its tributaries come in, tends to hold stained water and current and attracts anglers targeting catfish and carp. The deeper water nearer the dam is more often fished for perch, panfish, and bass. Muskellunge are present and are pursued by a smaller group of dedicated anglers, usually in cooler months.

A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required for anglers sixteen and older, and standard statewide seasons, sizes, and creel limits apply unless posted otherwise. Anglers should check current Fish and Boat Commission regulations before a trip, since special provisions can change from year to year.

Hunting and Wildlife

Portions of the city-owned watershed land around the lake are open to hunting, making the property a meaningful public hunting resource in a part of Berks County where much of the land is privately held. Deer, turkey, small game, and waterfowl are among the species pursued, subject to Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons, licensing, and any posted local restrictions. Hunters are responsible for knowing which tracts are open, where safety zones and posted boundaries lie, and what permits or registrations may be required.

The lake is also well known among birdwatchers. Its size and location along a regional flyway make it a reliable stop for migrating waterfowl, gulls, terns, herons, and shorebirds, with activity peaking in spring and late fall. Bald eagles and ospreys are regularly observed over the water. The mix of open water, mudflats during drawdown periods, woodlots, and old field habitat produces a long species list for a single property, which is why local birding groups visit the causeways and shoreline access points year after year.

Hiking and Trails

Informal and maintained trails thread through the woods and fields on the watershed land, following old farm lanes, utility corridors, and shoreline routes. The terrain is generally gentle, with rolling ground rather than steep climbs, which makes the walking accessible to a wide range of visitors. Trails provide views across the water and connect parking pull-offs to fishing spots and overlooks. Footing can be soft or muddy after rain, and conditions in hunting season call for blaze orange and added caution on shared land.

Rules and Practical Information

• No boats, kayaks, canoes, or other watercraft are permitted anywhere on the lake.
• Swimming and wading are prohibited.
• Fishing from shore is permitted with a valid Pennsylvania license.
• Hunting is allowed on designated watershed land under state regulations.
• Visitors should carry out trash, respect posted signs and gates, and stay clear of dam structures and water intake facilities.
• Parking is limited to designated pull-offs and lots along the roads that border and cross the lake.

There is no admission fee, no staffed visitor center, and no concession service at the lake. Restrooms and developed picnic facilities are not available at most access points, so visitors should plan to bring water and supplies. Cell coverage is generally adequate along the main roads.

Location and Access

The reservoir lies in Ontelaunee and adjacent townships in Berks County, within a short drive of Reading, Leesport, Blandon, Fleetwood, and Temple. Major roads cross and skirt the water, providing several shoreline access points rather than a single main entrance, so visitors often choose a spot based on what they intend to do that day. The lake's proximity to the Reading metropolitan area means it functions as an everyday outdoor destination for nearby residents as much as a weekend trip.

Character of the Property

Lake Ontelaunee is first and foremost a working water supply, and the recreation it offers exists within that framework. The result is a large body of water with undeveloped shores, no boat traffic, no swimming crowds, and a steady population of fish and wildlife. For anglers who prefer the bank, hikers looking for level ground and water views, hunters seeking accessible public land, and birders tracking seasonal migration, the reservoir has remained a dependable Berks County resource since the dam first closed on Maiden Creek in 1926.