Gate of Heaven Pond in Westchester County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Gate of Heaven Pond is set in Westchester County, New York. It sits 4.4 miles in from the sea. Small at around 9 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is low-lying compared with other New York water we list. Nearest town is Hawthorne, 1.1 miles off. After that come Valhalla at 1.5 miles and Thornwood at 2.3 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Gate of Heaven Pond

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Reported across Westchester County: common carp, striped bass and bluegill. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Work Gate of Heaven Pond in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 28°F in January to roughly 73°F in July. A lid forms in a hard winter only. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Time your trip to Gate of Heaven Pond by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Ailes Lake, 1.6 miles out. Ask locally about Gate of Heaven Pond if anything is unclear.