Fishing at McCarthys Lake, Lewis County, New York

• Overview

  McCarthys Lake stands in Lewis County, New York. Elevation runs to 1,325 feet. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. Camden is the closest town at 11 miles. Blossvale lies 13 miles off, Boonville another 16 miles. More in the same country: Bloodsucker Lake (3.9 miles), Mud Lake 5.9 miles away, Smith Lake (6.9 miles), Deer Pond 8.1 miles away and Salmon River (9.1 miles). Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on McCarthys Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Lewis County include white sucker, brown trout, pumpkinseed, brook trout and brown bullhead. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Take McCarthys Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 17°F in January up to 66°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about early December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. That is the shape of the year on McCarthys Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Bloodsucker Lake at 3.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about McCarthys Lake if anything is unclear.