Fishing Star Lake in St. Lawrence County, New York

• Overview

  The St. Lawrence County end of New York holds Star Lake. The bank gives way to mixed forest. The water covers some 216 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Shoreline length is close to 4.1 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. It is among the larger waters listed here for St. Lawrence County. Gouverneur at 24 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Tupper Lake, 29 miles, and Carthage, 31 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Star Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Star Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 65°F and January reads 14°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Open water usually runs from mid April until about early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Plan any trip to Star Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Readway Ponds, 0.6 miles out. For Star Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.