Hamilton Lake Fishing near Northville, New York

• Overview

  Hamilton Lake is listed under Hamilton County, New York. The ground around here is mixed forest. Surface area is around 149 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The whole outline is near 2.8 miles, and most of it is walkable. Few waters listed in Hamilton County are bigger. The nearest town is Northville, 18 miles away. Further out sit Edinburg (20 miles) and Gloversville (26 miles). It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Hamilton Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Survey and observation records for Hamilton County include lake trout, brook trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and brown bullhead. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Hamilton Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 64°F and January near 14°F on the long-run figures. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Hamilton Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Sand Lake, 1.5 miles away. Nothing on Hamilton Lake should be assumed from this page alone.