Crystal Lake Fishing near Livingston Manor, New York

• Overview

  Within Sullivan County, New York, you have Crystal Lake. The ground around here is rolling bush. The water covers some 37 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Around 1.0 miles of margin, front to back. Start from Livingston Manor, 10 miles down the road. The big place round here is Paterson, 80 miles distant. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Crystal Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Sullivan County: brown trout, brook trout and smallmouth bass. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Read Crystal Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Crystal Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Parking is at Parking Lot, some half a mile off. Part of this sits inside or beside Crystal Lake Wild Forest, so read the notices. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Holp Pond at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Crystal Lake before loading the car.