Mutton Hill Pond Fishing Guide, Tioga County, New York

• Overview

  Mutton Hill Pond belongs to Tioga County, New York. The bank gives way to pine and birch. At 23 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Apalachin sits 1.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Then Owego, 4.8 miles, and Vestal, 6.5 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Mutton Hill Pond

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Tioga County include tessellated darter, white sucker and margined madtom. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Mutton Hill Pond where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 69°F and January near 22°F on the long-run figures. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Count the season from break-up, usually early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Mutton Hill Pond fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. The nearest car park we can see is 0.9 miles out, so expect a walk with your gear. The water borders Waterman Conservation Education Center, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Bosket Lake is 6 miles distant. Treat access at Mutton Hill Pond as something to verify.