Fishing at Chenango Lake, Broome County, New York

• Overview

  Chenango Lake is a Broome County water, in New York. Land around it is rolling bush. It measures about 39 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 1.6 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. It ranks high for size among our Broome County listings. Nearest town is Chenango Bridge, 3.3 miles off. Port Dickinson lies 6.2 miles off, Binghamton another 8.8 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Chenango Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name smallmouth bass, common carp, brown trout and rock bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Chenango Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 22°F to 69°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. After early April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Plan any trip to Chenango Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Lily Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Chenango Lake before loading the car.