Washington Lake in Sullivan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Washington Lake lies within the bounds of Sullivan County, New York. It lies 1,142 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 68 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. A shoreline of some 1.3 miles keeps the choices simple. Barryville lies 3.9 miles from the water. It is 58 miles to Paterson, the nearest city. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Washington Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Sullivan County cover brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, white sucker and rainbow trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Washington Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 69°F, with January the cold end at about 23°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at late December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Washington Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Montgomery Lake is 0.6 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Washington Lake.