Lake Treman near South Hill: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In New York, Lake Treman falls inside Tompkins County. The setting is pine and birch. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The closest town, South Hill, is 2.2 miles distant. Ithaca follows at 2.9 miles, then East Ithaca at 3.2 miles. Nearby, in order: Ithaca Reservoir after 2.8 miles, Beebe Lake at about 4 miles, Jennings Pond after 4 miles, Beaver Pond at about 7.4 miles and Spencer Lake after 11 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lake Treman

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Fish documented in Tompkins County include white sucker, tessellated darter, pumpkinseed, fantail darter and brown trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Treat Lake Treman as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 22°F in January to roughly 69°F in July. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On average, early April opens the water and late December closes it again. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Treman.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. The water borders Buttermilk Falls State Park, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Ithaca Reservoir, 2.8 miles out. What applies at Lake Treman may have changed since it was mapped.