Ellis Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  You will find Ellis Lake in Cortland County, New York. The setting is lake country bush on every side. It measures about 42 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Lakeview is the closest place, 2.7 miles off. For a city, Syracuse is 42 miles off. If this one is busy: Cincinnatus Lake within 2.9 miles, 3.8 miles out stands Long Pond, Bloody Pond within 4 miles, 4.3 miles out stands High Lake and Round Pond within 5.2 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Ellis Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name brown trout, brook trout, white sucker and common carp. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Ellis Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 68°F and January near 21°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid usually goes in early April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Ice usually gives way near early April, and forms again about mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. At Ellis Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Cincinnatus Lake at 2.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Ellis Lake as something to verify.