Cragston Lakes, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Orange County, New York, is where Cragston Lakes sits. Around the bank it is farm and woodlot. 1.2 miles away sits Highland Falls, the nearest town. North Stamford sits 27 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Water in the same corner: Crystal Lake after 0.4 miles, Pells Pond the better part of 0.4 miles, Roe Pond after 0.9 miles, Garrison Pond the better part of 1.4 miles and Cranberry Pond after 1.4 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Cragston Lakes

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Reported across Orange County: common carp, brook trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed and brown trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Work Cragston Lakes in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 73°F; the cold one sits at 27°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. It holds true on Cragston Lakes more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Crystal Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Cragston Lakes.