Clark Pond in Washington County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Washington County entry here is Clark Pond, in New York. It lies 463 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. Cambridge at 6 miles is the nearest place to stop. Albany is the closest city, 37 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply. Rainfall totals about 38 inches a year, heaviest in August and lightest in February.

• Where to Fish on Clark Pond

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Across Washington County, recorded fish include brown trout, white sucker, tessellated darter and pumpkinseed. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Clark Pond rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 70°F and January near 19°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly mid December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Clark Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Hedges Lake, 0.7 miles out. Check the current arrangement for Clark Pond.