Solon Pond in Cortland County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Solon Pond in Cortland County, New York. The surface lies 1,427 feet up. The water covers some 41 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Bank access stretches around 0.9 miles in total. The nearest town is Cincinnatus, 5.5 miles away. It is 32 miles to Syracuse, the nearest city. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Solon Pond

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Cortland County: brown trout, brook trout, white sucker, common carp and tessellated darter. The county list is broader than any single water. Anyone new to Solon Pond should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 67°F and January about 20°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. From about early April to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It holds true on Solon Pond more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Knapp Pond is 5.5 miles distant. Signs at Solon Pond carry more weight than any list.