Lake DeVenoge, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake DeVenoge falls in Sullivan County, part of New York. Everything around it is rolling bush. Around 72 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Bank access stretches around 1.2 miles in total. The nearest place of any size is Barryville, 4.8 miles away. Further out sit Sparrow Bush (10 miles) and Monticello (12 miles). The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Lake DeVenoge

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Sullivan County, recorded fish include brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, white sucker and rainbow trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Work Lake DeVenoge in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 22°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. The season on Lake DeVenoge rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Sand Pond at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Lake DeVenoge for certain.