North Pond in Herkimer County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In New York, North Pond belongs to Herkimer County. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. About 11 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. 20 miles away sits Lowville, the nearest town. Beyond it, Boonville at 21 miles and Carthage at 30 miles. Also worth knowing: Big Otter Lake within 1.2 miles, West Pond out at 1.3 miles, Hitchcock Pond within 2.8 miles, East Pond out at 2.9 miles and Middle Branch Lake within 3 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on North Pond

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Herkimer County cover white sucker, yellow perch, brook trout and brown bullhead. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. North Pond fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 65°F for July and 14°F for January. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near early December in autumn. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On North Pond that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Big Otter Lake is 1.2 miles distant. For North Pond, the notice at the access point is the final word.