The fishing is pretty fair from shore in the early spring. We hit Pharaoh the end of April and this year also in early Oct. Fishing from shore seems better in the spring IMO. The water is still cold and the lakers are close to shore then.
You will need to hike into the lake since there's only foottrails. There are several ways to hike in. Either from Putnam Pond campsite, Crane Pond Rd. or off Pharaoh Rd. We come in from Pharaoh Rd. It's about a 5 1/2mile hike from that direction.
There are a couple canoes and rowboats that people have left on the lake. None are chained up or lic. From what we have gathered people have just left them there for others to use. No paddles or vest, just the boats, some have been there for a couple years now and some leak pretty bad. Some people make some crude paddles for them and have tried patching the leakers. Since we go so early and late in the season we have had the place to ourselves and pick of the best boats. Most times we have found them all left at the spillway of the lake from where we hike in from Pharaoh Rd. I hike in a couple pieces of thin plywood that I cut into the shape of a paddle head and we make some handles when we get on the lake. We use a canoe and paddle to one of the leantos and fish from the lake with it. We then return it to the spillway when we leave, make sure it's far enough away from the water upside down and leave the paddles for the next person who may like to use it.
Sadily every year the paddles I made are always gone when I come back. Not sure what happens to them
Only fish I have caught in the lake have been lake trout and a couple sunnies. But the sunnies were in June and from shore. If you go in summer you'll have to use a canoe or one of the rowboats. Once the water gets warm the lakers all go deep in the lake.
I recommend checking it out. Nice spot.