Fishing Carter Pond in Washington County, New York

• Overview

  Carter Pond is one of the Washington County waters in New York. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. Head to Greenwich, 6.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. It is 39 miles to Albany, the nearest city. Within a short run: 1.6 miles away is McDougall Lake, The Old Fly near enough 2.5 miles, 2.9 miles away is Cossayuna Lake, Summit Lake near enough 3.8 miles and 4.2 miles away is Clark Pond. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Carter Pond

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Washington County records list brown trout, white sucker and tessellated darter among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Carter Pond fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 70°F and January at 19°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. At Carter Pond the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. McDougall Lake sits 1.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Carter Pond locally before you travel.