The well-named Fishing Brook is in a lovely area which is mostly wild. The brook trout fishing is so good you might want to keep it a secret.

How to get there

Start at the three corners in Long Lake drive toward Newcomb on Route 28N. Continue to where Fishing Brook goes under the road and immediately look for a dirt drive on the right, after you cross. There is a bridge and dam here creating a small pond upstream.

Fishing

Shoreline fishing is very good here, up and downstream. The small pond that has been created upstream from the small dam makes for some fantastic brook trout fishing. Heading downstream the fish are much smaller and harder to catch, but that doesn't stop it from being a popular spot.

Anglers can fish here but must stay within 33-feet of the Public Fishing Rights corridor. See map here.

From the DEC website: "Paddling is allowed on Fishing Brook and County Line Flow. Launch onto Fishing Brook at the Pickwickett Pond Road Hand Launch and paddle 0.9 mile downstream to County Line Flow. Canoes and kayaks may be launched or retrieved at the hand launch on County Line Flow. Traveling upstream on Fishing Brook is not advisable in low water. NOTE: Fishing Brook and County Line Flow are on Township 20 Easement Lands. The lands are privately owned with limited public access rights. The public is permitted to access the banks of Fishing Brook but not the shoreline of County Line Flow. Please respect private property. Do not trespass on private lands or camps."

It's all about secluded fishing here! Drop a line and have fun.

Getting there

From Newcomb follow Route 28N west toward Long Lake. Continue for around 9.5 miles to the access site on the right. Look for a DEC sign. Follow this short gravel road down to the parking lot.

Fishing

There is very little shoreline fishing available here. The easement only allows for a boat launch to the flow and at the launch there is very little access for decent casting. The shore of the flow is not open to the public. However, by boat you can access Fishing Brook that feeds into and out of the flow where you can fish from shore, but you need to remain within 33 feet of the shore of the brook. All non-motorized uses allowed. Electric motors are permitted.

Fish species types: brook trout, bullhead

Special Regulations: No shore access from County Line Flow, stay within 33 feet of Fishing Brook when fishing from shore.

Special notes

PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY.

• Do not go ashore on County Line Flow.
• Stay within 33 feet of Fishing Brook
• NO HUNTING OR TRAPPING.

Always follow State fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office.

Paddling

The carry is an easy one as it is all downhill. It is a carry of only around 200' so a cart would not be necessary. The launch area is still fairly new and opened by the DEC under a conservation easement with the land owners. The pond is long and somewhat narrow, allowing for excellent wind protection, but it can still get a bit choppy during bad weather. Small bays and narrows on the NW end of the pond are a nice place to check out. You can proceed up and down Fishing Brook a little bit if the conditions are right.

Well sheltered and calm, there may be small motors on the small pond as it is essentially a private pond with public access. There is no access to shore from the pond other than the launch site.

Even though this fishing hole is near the road, it's still a wonderful spot!

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for around 6 miles to the parking on the left, just as you cross over the river.

Fishing

There is only shoreline fishing here and it is better if you can wade out a bit to get away from the trees. There is good access on both sides of the road and consider using the Boreas River Trail on the other side of the road to access downstream to Hewitt Eddy. There is a good flatwater around the bridge where trout do tend hang out, but the eddy is decent fishing as well. The trout are not all that large in part of the river but are fun to catch. 

This remote fishing spot is just for shoreline fishing; there is no boat access.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit 29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue for 9.5 miles to where state land comes in on the left. This point is located as you start to drive down a long hill. A guardrail will come in on the left, part of the way down. Park near the top and locate the path behind it. 

Fishing

The path leading to the pond is very faint and possibly very rarely used. The path to reach the pond is roughly 0.4 miles long. The western portion of the pond, which is the public portion, is the shallowest part of the pond. It is best to use top water lures due to the shallow nature. 

Fish species types: Brook trout, bullhead, panfish, smelt

Most of the eastern portion of the pond is on private land, please respect the landowners privacy. 

Always follow State fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office. 

Eagle Lake is a beautiful spot that sits right alongside Route 74 between Ticonderoga and Schroon Lake. Visitors can boat, paddle, fish, and even camp at this scenic spot. It is approximately 420 acres and has a mean depth of 19 feet. At the farthest east end of the lake away from the boat launch, there is a nice sandy beach and campsite.

Fishing

Eagle Lake has easy access and is known for brown trout. It is stocked by the Essex County Fish Hatchery.

Species: smallmouth bass, northern pike, brown bullhead, pickerel, pumpkinseed, brown trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, rock bass, yellow perch, and lake whitefish.

Shoreline fishing: There is a decent amount of shoreline fishing on this lake. The long shores near the launch area, on the eastern end near the campsite, and from near the bridge on Route 74 are all great spots. Much of the remaining shore is private property. Fish for bass at the launch area near the lily pads. Panfish and perch can be caught just about anywhere from shore. 

Boat fishing: The best boat fishing is in the main body of water and around the islands or in the bays especially if you are searching of bass. Trolling is the best method for northern pike and the northern shore is the spot. Cast a night crawler into the shallows if you wish to have a good time with perch, and some of the perch are quite substantial in size. 

Special regulations: Always follow State fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office. Also please refer to the state regulations and preventative measures in regards to Aquatic Invasive Species, boat wash facilities, and the state law of “Clean, Drain, and Dry.” 

Paddling

You will launch into the western portion of the lake which is a very beautiful section to explore. The lily pads and aquatic wildflowers are amazing. You can access the eastern portion of the lake by paddling under Route 74. Loons are very common on this lake. There are a few islands on the lake, but unfortunately they are all private as well as much of the shoreline. The far end of the lake will access you to an attractive wetland and a lean-to if you so choose to use. The lake is well sheltered, calm, and typically just used by small motorboats.

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 74 and Route 9 in Schroon Lake follow Route 74 east toward Ticonderoga. Follow this for 8.5 miles and there is a launch on the left. It should be noted for motorized boats that to access the main part of the lake, you will need to pass through a culvert under Route 74. This can be very swallow depending on conditions and there are rocks to navigate around to not damage propellers. 

There is parking at the launch for about six cars. Trailers can be kept a short ways down the road at roadside pull-offs; the launch area is not very big and can be tricky to maneuver a trailer through.

The namesake of the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness is indeed a beautiful location! It is surrounded by Forest Preserve and completely peaceful. The lake itself is 441 acres, the largest lake in the Wilderness Area and, one of the largest lakes in the Adirondacks completely surrounded by Forest Preserve lands.

How to get there

Please see the DEC website for directions, as this lake can be accessed and hiked to via many trailheads in the area.

Paddling

This is a beautiful paddle, but will require some work. Paddlers will be required to carry their boats here. No motors are allowed.

Fishing

Good things come to those who walk — that’s what Pharaoh Lake is all about. From the south, it’s a 4-mile hike into this 442-acre lake, but once you get there you’ll find brookies and lake trout. In 2012, the lake got an air-stocking of 2,000 5-inch brookies, but it’s the lakers that make the hike worth it. Your daily limit is three lake trout of at least 15 inches. Keep in mind that the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited here. Access is from Pharaoh Mountain Trail and during the summer’s warmer weather, you’ll want to carry in a lightweight canoe or inflatable boat to get away from shore and to target the cooler, deeper waters.

Camping

There are several lean-tos available at the lake.

Birding

This remote location is a fine spot for waterbirds like loon and merganser, or raptors such as bald eagles, kingfishers, and many kinds of hawk. This area includes wetlands, boreal, and mixed forest habitats.

Find out more

Read our blog post: Hiking in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

Did someone say trout? Palmer Pond is where they're at!

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit 29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue for around 0.5 miles to the parking near a gate on the east end of the pond and another along the roadside just a bit farther up the road.  

Fishing

There is ample shoreline fishing along the eastern and northern shores; a boat is not necessary to fish this flowage. It's cartop access only; which is the best option for this newly acquired fishing access. This dam-created widening of The Branch is a great location for trout fishing, and a fun time for the entire family. The headwaters are a great place to fish as the cool waters come down from the rapids. 

Fish species types: Brook trout

Special regulations: Always follow state fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office. 

This giant lake has plenty of room for every recreational wish. Amenities and supplies are in the town of Schroon Lake, with its stores and marina. Paddling, boating, fishing, and ice fishing are all popular activities on Schroon Lake.

How to get there

There are three main launches on the western side of the lake. All are not far from, or directly off, Route 9.

By the numbers

• Elevation: 807 feet
• Area: 4,107 acres
• Length: ~ 9 miles
• Shoreline Length: 23.7 miles
• Max Depth: 152 feet
• Mean Depth: 56 feet

Paddling

Lovely and tranquil, the waters of Schroon Lake have been attracting canoeists and kayakers for many years. Explore the shoreline with its abundant wildlife. Schroon Lake is large and shared with motorboats so be prepared for larger waves if you are away from the shoreline. There are three boat launches on the western side.

Boating

There are three boat launches on the western side. No motor restrictions. Schroon Lake does have, however, non-native invasive species, so boaters should take care to clean, drain, and dry watercraft.

Fishing

Species found here include: lake trout, landlocked salmon, large mouth bass, yellow perch, and others

Ice fishing

Schroon Lake stays busy in winter too, with all the ice fishing that goes on. Every March there's the annual Fishing Derby, first Saturday of the month.

Ice fishing special regulations are for Schroon Lake, and Schroon River from Schroon Lake downstream to Starbuckville Dam.

Trout: all year, any size, limit 5

Lake trout: all year, at least 18" limit 2

Landlocked salmon: all year, at least 15" limit 3

Courtney and Shingletree ponds are two small bodies of water in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest. You won't miss Courtney Pond; it sits right on the edge of the road. It is very scenic with lily pads and abundant wildlife. 

Getting there

The trailhead is located on Route 9, 0.2 miles south of the Sharp Bridge Campground. Courtney Pond is located right beside the road, so it is not easily missed. Park at a small roadside lot next to Courtney Pond.

Hiking and snowshoeing

This end-to-end hike, only 1.1 miles one way, runs from from Courtney Pond to Shingletree Pond along a trail with minor elevation changes. It is full of lovely terrain, and features a tunnel that runs under the Northway. The narrow path goes from the Hammond Pond Wild Forest to the Dix Mountain Wilderness. It ends at Shingletree Pond.

This path gets little use, so take care to stay on the trail.

In winter, this path would make a nice snowshoe to stretch your legs.

Paddling

Both ponds are small, but offer classic Adirondack scenery. These are good choices for days when it might be windier on larger bodies of water. There is a hand launch at Courtney Pond. Shingletree is surrounded by dead and down trees and may be harder to access with no official launch.

Fishing

Courtney and Shingletree ponds are reclaimed trout ponds, so the use of fish as bait is illegal. Shingletree mat be fished easier from shore than a boat, due to access. Courtney, however, has a nice hand launch and is easily accessible.

Several trails can be accessed from the shore of Putnam Pond and North Pond, including Treadway Mountain, which is a wonderful hike with outstanding views of the surrounding Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.

Paddling

These two ponds are connected by a set of narrows. The best launch is located near the beach which is just over a small hill from the main parking area in the campground, and there is a motorboat launch which can be used.

• Pond sizes – Approximate shoreline length: Putnam Pond: 3.75 miles; North Pond: 2.5 miles
• Type of launch: Sand and grass
• Portage/carry details: Less than 100 feet, no portage to North Pond
• Type of water: Both ponds are well sheltered and calm

Boating

Putnam Pond is accessible to motorboats. There is a narrow hard ramp located in the DEC campground.

Fishing and ice fishing

Fish for northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed and yellow perch on this tranquil pond. Popular with ice anglers. The northern section is at its best for fishing in the winter and early spring.

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 9 and Route 74 near Schroon Lake follow Route 74 toward Ticonderoga. Continue to Putts Pond Road on the right (entrance road for Putnam Pond State Campground). Drive this to the end to access the campground and the pond. A day use fee will be required.