Bailey Pond Fishing Guide, Otsego County, New York

• Overview

  Bailey Pond sits in Otsego County, out in New York. The surface lies 1,650 feet up. At roughly 9 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Most waters listed here for Otsego County are larger. Richfield Springs is the closest place, 2.5 miles off. Springfield is 6.2 miles and Cooperstown 8.6 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Bailey Pond

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Otsego County include brown trout, brook trout and white sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Bailey Pond light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 19°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan around that when you fish Bailey Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Allen Lake, 1.3 miles out. Check the position at Bailey Pond before loading the car.