Fishing Close Pond in St. Lawrence County, New York

• Overview

  Close Pond belongs to St. Lawrence County, New York. The surroundings are rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. Hannawa Falls at 6.3 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Gloucester is 66 miles off. Water in the same corner: South Colton Reservoir sits 2.4 miles out, Five Falls Reservoir within 2.4 miles, Horton Ponds sits 3.5 miles out, Rock Pond within 3.7 miles and Arbuckle Pond sits 4 miles out. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Close Pond

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across St. Lawrence County, recorded fish include rock bass, smallmouth bass and pumpkinseed. The county list is broader than any single water. On Close Pond the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 67°F in July and bottom out at 14°F in January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. From about mid April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Close Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, South Colton Reservoir is 2.4 miles distant. Rules at Close Pond are worth checking on the day.