Fishing Upper Winganhauppauge Lake in Suffolk County, New York

• Overview

  Upper Winganhauppauge Lake lies in Suffolk County, in New York. The setting is farm and woodlot on every side. Small at around 10 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It lies lower than most water we list in New York. Nearest place of any size is Islip, 0.4 miles away. East Islip lies 0.9 miles off, Islip Terrace another 1.1 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Upper Winganhauppauge Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Work the tide here — moving water feeds, slack water rests. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Upper Winganhauppauge Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 31°F to 74°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. That is the shape of the year on Upper Winganhauppauge Lake. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Lower Winganhauppauge Lake, 0.2 miles out. Confirm before you fish Upper Winganhauppauge Lake.