Eagle Lake near Sloatsburg: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Orange County, Eagle Lake is a New York water. The shore lies 15 miles out. At 2 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On size it sits at the modest end of our Orange County list. Nearest town is Sloatsburg, 2.2 miles off. Paterson is the closest city, 17 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Eagle Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Orange County records list common carp, brook trout, bluegill and pumpkinseed among the fish reported. The county list is broader than any single water. The shape of Eagle Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 72°F, with January the cold end at about 26°F. A lid forms in a hard winter only. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Eagle Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. A picnic area is mapped about half a mile away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Sheppard Pond is 1.2 miles distant. Rules at Eagle Lake are worth checking on the day.