Cranberry Lakes near Valhalla: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Cranberry Lakes is a Westchester County water, in New York. The setting is rolling hill on every side. Small at around 7 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Valhalla sits 1.1 miles from the bank. For a city, Stamford is 11 miles off. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Cranberry Lakes

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name common carp, striped bass, bluegill, brown trout and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Cranberry Lakes a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 74°F, the coldest about 29°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It sets the rhythm of the year at Cranberry Lakes. A grey, mild day is often better than a bright, still one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Cranberry Lake Preserve runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Quarry Lakes is 0.4 miles distant. Treat access at Cranberry Lakes as something to verify.