Fishing Bubb Lake in Herkimer County, New York

• Overview

  Bubb Lake lies in Herkimer County, New York. Country round the bank runs to rolling bush. It measures about 53 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 1.3 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. For a base, Boonville sits 31 miles out. Syracuse is the closest city, 82 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Bubb Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Herkimer County cover white sucker, yellow perch and brook trout. The county list is broader than any single water. On Bubb Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 64°F; by January the average is down near 13°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Bubb Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Sis Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Bubb Lake in what we hold.