Fishing at Arnold Lake, Otsego County, New York

• Overview

  Set in Otsego County, New York, this is Arnold Lake. The ground round it is pine and birch. It runs to roughly 68 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The whole outline is near 1.4 miles, and most of it is walkable. It is among the larger waters listed here for Otsego County. The closest town, Cooperstown, is 7.4 miles distant. Beyond it, West End at 11 miles and Oneonta at 11 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Arnold Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Otsego County include brown trout, brook trout, white sucker, common carp and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Arnold Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 20°F in January up to 67°F in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Arnold Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Goey Pond is 1.8 miles off. Check the position at Arnold Lake before loading the car.