Snyder Lake in St. Lawrence County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Snyder Lake sits within St. Lawrence County in New York. It sits at 774 feet above sea level. At roughly 16 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Gouverneur, 14 miles down the road. After that come Philadelphia at 24 miles and Carthage at 24 miles. Near neighbours: Graham Pond at 1.1 miles, Grass Pond at about 1.9 miles, Shiner Pond at 1.9 miles, Mud Pond at about 2.1 miles and Portaferry Lake at 2.4 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Snyder Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Open biodiversity records for St. Lawrence County list rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Snyder Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 67°F and January near 15°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at early December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Snyder Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Graham Pond at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Snyder Lake as something to verify.