Stephens Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Within Cattaraugus County, New York, you have Stephens Lake. The surface lies 1,453 feet up. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Cattaraugus County list. The town to know is Westons Mills, 0.7 miles out. Buffalo is the closest city, 62 miles away. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Stephens Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Cattaraugus County records list brown trout, white sucker, fantail darter and rainbow trout among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The near bank of Stephens Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 21°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. Average temperatures cross freezing around early April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Stephens Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Millers Pond, 3.9 miles out. The position on Stephens Lake is worth confirming on the day.