Maple Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Maple Lake lies in Sullivan County, New York. The surroundings are mixed forest. At 11 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Sullivan County are larger. The nearest place of any size is Livingston Manor, 4.4 miles away. Beyond it, Liberty at 9.3 miles and Fallsburg at 16 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Maple Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. 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. Species logged across Sullivan County include brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass and white sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Maple Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 65°F; the cold one sits at 19°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Maple Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Knickerbocker Pond at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Maple Lake locally before you travel.