Lake Elizabeth, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In New York, Lake Elizabeth falls inside Saratoga County. Elevation runs to 351 feet. At 7 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The nearest place of any size is Wilton, 3.1 miles away. Saratoga Springs is 3.9 miles away, with Corinth at 8.4 miles. Within a short drive: Loughberry Lake 2.7 miles, Black Pond sits 3.4 miles out, Winslow Pond 4.8 miles, Lake Bonita sits 5 miles out and Carp Pond 5 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lake Elizabeth

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Saratoga County cover brown trout, pumpkinseed, white sucker, common carp and tessellated darter. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Fish Lake Elizabeth where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 70°F and January at 20°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Time your trip to Lake Elizabeth by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Loughberry Lake sits 2.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Lake Elizabeth is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.