Fishing at Pocantico Lake, Westchester County, New York

• Overview

  Pocantico Lake is one of the Westchester County waters in New York. The country round it is open valley from end to end. The full circuit measures close to 1.0 miles on foot. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our New York listings. The nearest place of any size is Briarcliff Manor, 2.1 miles away. Beyond it, Hawthorne at 2.2 miles and Sleepy Hollow at 2.5 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Pocantico Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Species logged across Westchester County include common carp, striped bass and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Pocantico Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 29°F and July at about 74°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A lid forms in a hard winter only. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It sets the rhythm of the year at Pocantico Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Swan Lake, 0.6 miles out. Check the position on Pocantico Lake before loading the car.