Emerald Lake Fishing Guide, St. Lawrence County, New York

• Overview

  Emerald Lake lies in St. Lawrence County, in New York. It stands 1,893 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 11 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. You are 29 miles from Lowville. Carthage follows at 29 miles, then West Carthage at 30 miles. Other water nearby: Rock Lake just 0.7 miles, 0.9 miles out stands Sand Lake, Wolf Pond just 1.8 miles, 1.9 miles out stands Muir Pond and Cage Lake just 1.9 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Emerald Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. 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. Public occurrence data for St. Lawrence County names rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Emerald Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 64°F and January about 13°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about early December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Emerald Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Rock Lake at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Emerald Lake.