Second Pond, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Second Pond belongs to Essex County, New York. The setting is rolling bush. About 276 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Few waters listed in Essex County are bigger. For a base, North Elba sits 16 miles out. Lake Placid follows at 18 miles, then Mineville at 21 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Second Pond

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Essex County include brown trout, brook trout, white sucker and pumpkinseed. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The near bank of Second Pond is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 13°F to 62°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Second Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Boreas Ponds Primitive Area covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, First Pond is 0.5 miles distant. Check the position on Second Pond before loading the car.