Lake Sapphire, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in Orange County, New York, sits Lake Sapphire. It sits at 866 feet above sea level. At 13 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Harriman lies 1.6 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Paterson, 25 miles away. Others close at hand: Shadowmere Lake 0.2 miles off, Blendale Lake within 0.4 miles, Blythea Lake 0.4 miles off, Lake Winape within 1.9 miles and Mountain Lakes 2.4 miles off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lake Sapphire

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Orange County cover common carp, brook trout, bluegill and pumpkinseed. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Lake Sapphire light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 71°F on average, January about 25°F. Neither winter nor summer shuts things down for long. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. At Lake Sapphire the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Shadowmere Lake, 0.2 miles away. For Lake Sapphire in particular, ask before you travel.