Lake Valhalla Fishing Guide, Putnam County, New York

• Overview

  Lake Valhalla belongs to Putnam County, New York. Elevation runs to 627 feet. The water covers some 32 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Beacon at 2.7 miles is the nearest place to stop. Cold Spring is 4.2 miles and Fishkill 4.3 miles. More in the same country: Beacon Reservoir some 0.8 miles off, Barrett Pond 1 mile away, Lake Surprise some 1.7 miles off, Melzingah Reservoir 1.9 miles away and Jacox Pond some 2.4 miles off. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Valhalla

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Putnam County records list brown trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Lake Valhalla light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 72°F; the cold one sits at 26°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. That shapes the year on Lake Valhalla.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. This sits inside Hudson Highlands State Park, so read the reserve notices first. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Beacon Reservoir at 0.8 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Lake Valhalla if anything is unclear.