Forest Lake Fishing near Harriman, New York

• Overview

  Forest Lake is an Orange County water, in New York. Salt water lies 6.4 miles off. Surface area is around 132 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The bank runs about 2.8 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It is among the larger waters listed here for Orange County. Harriman sits 2.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Paterson sits 27 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Forest Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Across Orange County, recorded fish include common carp, brook trout and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Take Forest Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 71°F and January near 25°F. In milder years the surface never sets. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It sets the rhythm of the year at Forest Lake. Long dry spells drop the level and concentrate them.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Cranberry Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Where Forest Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.