The Springs in Clinton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Springs lies in Clinton County, New York. What surrounds it is pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is a small entry by Clinton County standards. The closest town, Dannemora, is 15 miles distant. Malone lies 18 miles off, Morrisonville another 22 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on The Springs

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Clinton County include brown trout, white sucker, brook trout, pumpkinseed and brown bullhead. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to The Springs should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 65°F; the cold one sits at 13°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on The Springs more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Twin Ponds is 2.4 miles off. Confirm access to The Springs locally before you travel.