Hillside Lake Fishing in Orange County, New York

• Overview

  Hillside Lake is one of the Orange County listings for New York. It sits in rolling hill. The whole thing is a single swim; walk it in a minute. Most waters listed here for Orange County are larger. The nearest place of any size is Highland Mills, 1.2 miles away. The big place round here is Paterson, 30 miles distant. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Hillside Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Orange County, recorded fish include common carp, brook trout and bluegill. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Anyone new to Hillside Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 72°F in July and bottoms out near 25°F in January. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. At Hillside Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Shadow Lake, 0.7 miles away. Nothing on Hillside Lake should be assumed from this page alone.