Fishing Clear Pond in St. Lawrence County, New York

• Overview

  Clear Pond stands in St. Lawrence County, New York. It sits in pine and birch. It measures about 37 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Supplies mean a trip to Hannawa Falls, 10 miles off. Potsdam is 13 miles away, with Norwood at 17 miles. Other water nearby: Little Rock Pond some 0.8 miles off, Rock Pond 1 mile away, Long Pond some 1.4 miles off, Lilypad Pond 1.8 miles away and Sterling Pond some 2.5 miles off. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Clear Pond

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. County-wide records name rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and white sucker. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish Clear Pond to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 66°F, while January sits near 13°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about early December in an average year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Clear Pond fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. White Hill Wild Forest runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Little Rock Pond at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Clear Pond before loading the car.