Fairport Reservoirs in Ontario County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Fairport Reservoirs sits within Ontario County in New York. It sits in pine and birch country. It runs to roughly 26 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. For a base, Holcomb sits 2.4 miles out. Rochester is the closest city, 18 miles away. Also within reach: Sterling Pond out at 3.7 miles, South Pond after 4.6 miles, Round Pond out at 7.3 miles, Mud Pond after 7.3 miles and Lake Lacoma out at 8.4 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Fairport Reservoirs

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Survey and observation records for Ontario County include alewife, rock bass, white sucker and tessellated darter. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Fairport Reservoirs a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 70°F and January near 23°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to late December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Fairport Reservoirs.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Sterling Pond is 3.7 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Fairport Reservoirs.