Fishing at Grass Pond, Herkimer County, New York

• Overview

  Set in Herkimer County, New York, this is Grass Pond. Elevation runs to 1,765 feet. It measures about 39 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 1.0 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Lowville sits 21 miles from the bank. Syracuse is the closest city, 75 miles away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Grass Pond

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Herkimer County, recorded fish include white sucker, yellow perch, brook trout, brown bullhead and brown trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Grass Pond the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 64°F and January about 13°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Grass Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Hitchcock Pond is 0.7 miles off. Confirm access to Grass Pond locally before you travel.