Eastman Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Eastman Lake is a Monroe County water, New York side. It stands 266 feet above sea level. At roughly 16 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Ground here is low by New York standards. Irondequoit at 1.7 miles is the nearest place to stop. Beyond it, Brighton at 6 miles and Rochester at 6.1 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Eastman Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Monroe County records list alewife, rainbow smelt, johnny darter and lake trout among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Eastman Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 72°F, the coldest about 24°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Averages suggest open water from about late March through to roughly late December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. It holds true on Eastman Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A car park sits roughly half a mile away. There are toilets mapped about half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Durand Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Eastman Lake locally before you travel.