Lake Eaton in Essex County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  This water sits in Essex County, New York. The surface lies 958 feet up. About 17 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Keeseville lies 13 miles from the water. After that come Peru at 15 miles and Lake Placid at 16 miles. Other water nearby: 5.2 miles away is Fern Lake, Coonrod Pond out at 6 miles, 6.1 miles away is Clark Pond, Cooper Kill Pond out at 6.4 miles and 6.5 miles away is Clear Pond. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Lake Eaton

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Essex County: brown trout, brook trout, white sucker, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Read Lake Eaton before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 68°F and January near 17°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near early December. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. At Lake Eaton the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Fern Lake, 5.2 miles away. Confirm before you fish Lake Eaton.