Cat Pond Fishing near Cold Spring, New York

• Overview

  Cat Pond belongs to Putnam County, New York. Tidal water begins 7.7 miles from here. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Putnam County. Nearest town is Cold Spring, 1.8 miles off. Further out sit West Point (2.7 miles) and Highland Falls (4.3 miles). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Cat Pond

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Putnam County records list brown trout, bluegill and largemouth bass among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Cat Pond to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 72°F and January about 26°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Plan any trip to Cat Pond around it. A grey, mild day is often better than a bright, still one.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Laths Pond is 0.2 miles distant. None of that is settled for Cat Pond in what we hold.