Oakland Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Oakland Lake is one of the Queens County listings for New York. Mixed woodland runs right down to the water. It covers about 10 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Ground here is low by New York standards. You are 0.9 miles from Douglaston. Jamaica sits 5 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Oakland Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Time trips to the tide table rather than the clock here. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name common carp, goldfish, bluegill and American eel. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Oakland Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 75°F; by January the average is down near 31°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It holds true on Oakland Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. A toilet block sits half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Kissena Lake sits 2.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Signs at Oakland Lake carry more weight than any list.