Fishing Clapper Lake in Otsego County, New York

• Overview

  Clapper Lake is an Otsego County water, New York side. The surface lies 1,959 feet up. About 12 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It sits higher than most water we list in New York. The closest town, Worcester, is 6.2 miles distant. Albany is the closest city, 52 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Clapper Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Otsego County names brown trout, brook trout, white sucker and common carp. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Clapper Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 66°F in July and bottom out at 19°F in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The water is typically free of ice between early April and mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. At Clapper Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Titus Lake is 2 miles distant. For Clapper Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.