Fishing at Split Rock Lake, Herkimer County, New York

• Overview

  You will find Split Rock Lake in Herkimer County, New York. What surrounds it is rolling bush. This is a pocket water of some 15 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The whole outline is near 1.0 miles, and most of it is walkable. Compared with other New York water on our list, it sits high. The closest town, Dolgeville, is 27 miles away. Albany sits 75 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Split Rock Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Herkimer County include white sucker, yellow perch, brook trout and brown bullhead. The county list is broader than any single water. Split Rock Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 63°F and January near 13°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Time your trip to Split Rock Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Bear Lake at 1.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Split Rock Lake if anything is unclear.