Fishing at Bullhead Pond, Essex County, New York

• Overview

  Out in Essex County, New York, sits Bullhead Pond. It lies 1,893 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 25 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Warrensburg is the closest town at 26 miles. The nearest city of size is Albany, 82 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Bullhead Pond

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Essex County include brown trout, brook trout, white sucker, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Bullhead Pond the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 15°F to 65°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and early December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. On Bullhead Pond that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Twentyninth Pond sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Signs at Bullhead Pond carry more weight than any list.