Construction will begin Tuesday, Sept. 16, by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at Leaser Lake, located near New Tripoli, to repair a seep in the facility's dam, but the facility will remain open for public use during the project.

In preparation for the repair work, the PFBC is slowly lowering the water level by another 7-8 feet, which will take several weeks to complete. Water level has been held at about 13 feet below normal since early this summer, and when construction begins, the lake's elevation will be approximately 20 feet below full pool."We want anglers and boaters to know that the lake remains open for public use," PFBC executive director John Arway said. "Once the area dries out, people will be able to fish and use their canoes and kayaks."This construction project is expected to be completed by late November and will cost approximately $180,000. When completed, the PFBC will start to refill the lake at a rate of approximately two to three feet per week, depending on precipitation, and the lake is expected to be nearly refilled by the spring of 2015 in time to be open for trout season and be stocked by the PFBC.In 2012 the spillway at the lake's dam was completely rebuilt and the lake reopened to public fishing in 2013. During the refill process, PFBC engineers discovered a small seep in the earthen dam, which has kept the lake from being completely refilled and the area of the seepage was not part of the 2012 construction project.Leaser Lake, which has two separate boat ramps and free parking lots, was built by the PFBC in 1971 to provide access to water-oriented recreation, and the lake and surrounding state and county land cover approximately 536 acres, with public areas leased and operated by Lehigh County. Since it reopened in 2013, PFBC biologists have been implementing a multi-year plan to restore the lake's fishery."The long-term plan is to continue to stock the lake with fingerlings from various warm-water species and allow those fish to grow over several years into a sustainable fishery," PFBC area fisheries manager Mike Kaufmann said. "To date, the lake has received fingerling stockings of largemouth bass, chain pickerel, tiger muskellunge, channel catfish, brown bullhead, white crappie, yellow perch, golden shiners, and spotfin shiners."Bass, pickerel, and tiger muskellunge growth rates have been excellent as a result of the lake's large forage fish population, which is comprised of creek chubsuckers, spotfin shiners, golden shiners, banded killifish, and green sunfish."*****Sunday's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," winner of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association's best outdoors radio program award hosted by award-winning POWA member Doyle Dietz, at 7 a.m. on 1410-AM WLSH, at 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5-FM and on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking the link to the program, features Pennsylvania Bowhunters Festival promoter Sherwood Schock.*****Monday, Sept. 8, is the deadline to register for the Pennsylvania Game Commission approved Basic Trapping Course, Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Auburn Game and Fish Association Clubhouse, located on River Road, one-half mile off Route 895, off Fort Lebanon Road, Auburn.Presented by members of Pennsylvania Trappers Association District 11, this free course is open to all ages and includes lunch, but youth must have parental consent and all participants must preregister by calling Brian Mohn at (610) 562-1790 or emailing

papatrees@aol.com.*****Tickets are on sale for the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association Banquet, Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 6 p.m., at Community Fire Company, Landingville. This is the primary fund raiser for the organization's youth field day, Norm Thornburg Youth Conservation Camp and women's outdoors day.A high light of the evening is the presentation of the annual "Friend of the Sportsmen" award. For reservations and information call Dennis Scharadin at 570-739-2085.*****A Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Education Course, which is required for all first-time license buyers, will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13, from 6-9 p.m. both days, at Palmerton Rod and Gun Club. Students must preregister on the PGC website at

www.pgc.state.us and for question call 610-824-2045.*****A 30-target, 3-D hunting course is open daily from dawn to dusk, except Sundays from 1-4 p.m. for trap, at Bear's Head Archery, located off Exit 134, I-81, Delano. For information call the club at 570-467-0331.*****First Frontier Militia, the muzzleloader group associated with Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club, Gun Club Road, located off Route 248, will hold a shoot Sunday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For information call Ken Milburn at 610-767-6222 or Dave Algard at 610-760-8333.