Fishing

Fed year-round by pristine mountain streams, Fern's Lake is home to a variety of fish, including lively largemouth bass. Whether you're casting a line for a peaceful afternoon or teaching the next generation the joys of fishing, this tranquil lake is the perfect spot.

No fishing license is required, but please remember to catch and release to help preserve the lake's natural balance.

Relax & Unwind

Looking for a quiet escape? Take a leisurely stroll around the lake, breathe in the fresh mountain air, or settle into a picnic table with a good book. Bring a folding chair, soak in the stunning scenery, and let nature work its magic.

RC Boats – Smooth Sailing & High-Speed Fun

Set your wind-powered or battery-operated RC boats free on the open water! Whether you're enjoying a relaxing sail or testing your skills in friendly competition, Fern's Lake provides the perfect backdrop for RC boat enthusiasts to make waves.

Furry Friends Welcome

Your leashed pets are more than welcome to enjoy the lakeside with you! Let your four-legged companions take in the sights and scents of this peaceful retreat while you enjoy the scenery.

Paddlers of Pine Mountain Club

Throughout the seasons, Fern's Lake provides a peaceful retreat for a variety of migratory and resident ducks. These waterfowl not only add to the lake's natural beauty but also offer birdwatchers and nature lovers wonderful opportunities for observation.

Below is a curated list of duck species observed at Fern's Lake, along with brief descriptions to help you identify and appreciate these fascinating visitors to Pine Mountain Club.

1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

   The Mallard is one of the most recognizable and widespread duck species in North America. Males are distinguished by their glossy green heads, white neck rings, and chestnut-brown chests, while females display mottled brown plumage, providing effective camouflage. Adaptable to various habitats, Mallards are often seen dabbling in the shallow waters of Fern's Lake, feeding on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small fish.

2. Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

   The Northern Pintail is an elegant and slender duck, easily identified by its long neck and pointed tail feathers. Males boast a chocolate-brown head, white breast, and distinctive white stripe extending up the neck, whereas females are more subdued with mottled brown plumage. These graceful birds prefer open wetlands and are known for their swift flight and agile swimming.

3. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

   Renowned for their striking appearance, male Wood Ducks exhibit iridescent green and purple plumage with ornate patterns, while females have a more understated gray-brown coloration with a distinctive white eye-ring. Unlike most ducks, Wood Ducks perch and nest in trees, often utilizing natural cavities or nest boxes near water bodies like Fern's Lake. Their diet includes berries, acorns, seeds, and insects, reflecting their omnivorous feeding habits.

4. Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)

   The Cinnamon Teal is a small dabbling duck with males showcasing a rich cinnamon-red plumage during the breeding season, while females are mottled brown, resembling female Mallards but with a slightly smaller size. These ducks favor shallow freshwater habitats with abundant emergent vegetation, making Fern's Lake an ideal environment. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic plants and invertebrates.

5. Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

   Recognizable by their large, spatula-shaped bills, Northern Shovelers are medium-sized ducks. Males display a green head, white chest, and chestnut flanks, while females are mottled brown with a distinctive large bill. They are often seen skimming the water's surface, using their specialized bills to filter out small crustaceans and plankton.

6. Gadwall (Mareca strepera)

   The Gadwall is a medium-sized dabbling duck with understated elegance. Both males and females have primarily gray-brown plumage, with males exhibiting a subtle black patch on the tail and a white speculum visible in flight. They prefer open wetlands and are often observed feeding on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates.

7. American Wigeon (Mareca americana)

   American Wigeons are medium-sized ducks with males featuring a distinctive white crown, green eye-stripe, and pinkish-brown body, while females are gray-brown with a smudged darker eye-stripe. They are commonly found in wetlands and are known to graze on land, feeding on grasses and agricultural crops.

8. Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)

   The Green-winged Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in North America. Males have a chestnut head with a green eye patch and a vertical white stripe on the side, whereas females are mottled brown. They favor shallow wetlands and are often seen in small flocks, feeding on seeds and aquatic insects.

9. Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

   Buffleheads are small diving ducks with males displaying striking black and white plumage with a large white patch on the back of the head, and females are gray-brown with a distinctive white cheek patch. They frequent small lakes and ponds, diving for aquatic invertebrates and small fish.

10. Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

    Ruddy Ducks are small, stout freshwater diving ducks. Males in breeding plumage exhibit bright chestnut bodies with sky-blue bills, while females and non-breeding males are brownish-gray with a subtle face pattern. They have been seen diving in deeper sections of Fern's Lake, feeding on aquatic insects and plants.

Observing these diverse duck species seen at Fern's Lake offers residents and visitors of Pine Mountain Club a unique opportunity to connect with local wildlife and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the area.

HOURS

Fern's Lake is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, offering the perfect setting for a morning stroll, a midday fishing break, or a sunset unwind.

As a gentle reminder, please help us keep Fern's Lake beautiful for everyone to enjoy by disposing of any trash in the provided bins and cleaning up after your furry friends. There is a designated waste receptacle at the lake to make it easy.

Thank you for helping preserve this special spot for you!