Barkley Pond Fishing near Hartford, New York

• Overview

  Barkley Pond is one of the Washington County listings for New York. Mixed forest runs right down to the water. The water covers some 56 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The whole outline is near 1.2 miles, and most of it is walkable. Nearest place of any size is Hartford, 8.6 miles away. Fort Edward lies 9.8 miles off, Hudson Falls another 11 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Barkley Pond

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Washington County include brown trout, white sucker, tessellated darter and pumpkinseed. The county list is broader than any single water. Barkley Pond gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 69°F for July and 19°F for January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. After early April the shallows warm and the fish move up. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Barkley Pond follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Mud Pond at 2.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Barkley Pond if anything is unclear.