Opportunities abound for ice fishing in the Capital District and Northern Catskill region. For those in the Capital area, ice typically becomes safe on the Grafton State Park waters early, where anglers can target stocked trout or native panfish. As the season progresses, the larger waters in Otsego County become a huge draw for a variety of sportfish including lake trout and walleye. Take time this year to get out and enjoy the region’s numerous ice fishing destinations.
Ice Fishing in Region 4 (Capital District/Northern Catskills)
Site Access During Winter: Some parking areas, roads, and trails may not be maintained through winter. For the most up to date access information, contact the Region 4 Fisheries Office.
Ice Safety: When deciding if ice is safe, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Before venturing out, review DEC’s Ice Safety Guidelines.
Fishing Regulations: Be sure to check the Statewide Fishing Regulations and the Special Fishing Regulations that may apply in the water or county you are fishing.
Places to Go (by County)
Albany || Columbia || Delaware || Greene || Otsego || Rensselaer || Schenectady || Schoharie
Albany County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Lee Pond | Colonie | Common Carp, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | Parking area off Heritage Lane - part of the Watervliet Shaker National Historic District. | |
| Thompsons Lake | Berne, Knox | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | At DEC Boat Launch Site: South of Thompson's Lake State Park off NY Route 157, 0.3 miles north of NY Route 157A and Beaver Dam Road. |
Columbia County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copake Lake | Copake | Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, White Perch, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye | At boat launch site on the southeast side of the lake. The launch is accessed by Lakeview Road or County Route 7. | |
| Lake Taghkanic | Gallatin | Chain Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | Lake Taghkanic State Park: ice fishing permitted only when park deems safe, call ahead at 518-851-3631. Hand launch located on west shore by the beach and trailer ramp on east shore off Lake Taghkanic Road, 0.6 miles west of NY Route 82. | |
| Queechy Lake | Canaan | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | At DEC Boat Launch Site along the northeast shore off County Route 30, 0.2 miles west of NY Route 22. |
Delaware County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Pond | Andes | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Alewife | At DEC Boat Launch Site located at southwest end of lake off Big Pond Road. | |
| Blazer Pond | Jefferson | Common Carp, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch | Weasel Brook Park, DEC Blazer Pond Fishing Access Site off State Route 10 in Stamford | No |
Greene County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Lake | Jewett | Brown Trout, White Sucker, Pumpkinseed | At hand launch site located on Country Route 78 on the north side of lake. | |
| Green Lake | Athens | Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, White Perch, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | At DEC Boat Launch Site on southwest shore off Valley Road, 2.4 miles north of Leeds. Beach launch. | |
| North-South Lake | Hunter | Black Crappie, Chain Pickerel, Tiger Muskellunge, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch | Parking located at the South Lake Dam |
Otsego County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Lake | Hartwick | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch | At boat launch site on northwest corner of lake at outlet on Arnold Lake Road | |
| Basswood Pond | Burlington | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Golden Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Fathead Minnow, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass | Basswood Pond State Forest on Conservation Road | |
| Canadarago Lake | Richfield, Exeter | Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Tiger Muskellunge | Lake access is located at Bakers Beach and the boat launch site off State Route 28 | |
| Crumhorn Fishing Access Site (Susquehanna River) | Milford | Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Fall Fish, White Sucker | Located in the Susquehanna State Forest, entrance is located off County Route 35 on East side of river
| No |
| Gilbert Lake | Laurens | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Golden Shiner, Creek Chub, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch | Located in Gilbert Lake State Park | |
| Goodyear Lake | Milford | Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, Shorthead Redhorse, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Margined Madtom, Rock Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye | Off County Route 35, at end of Silliman Cove Road, 1.3 miles north of NY Route 7 | |
| Otsego Lake | Springfield, Middlefield, Otsego | Cisco, Lake Whitefish, Lake Trout, Rainbow Smelt, Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye | Multiple access locations, including in the Village of Cooperstown off Lake Steet at south end of lake, at Glimmerglass State Park on northeastern side of lake, and at Springfield boat launch off Public Landing Road. | |
| Wilber Lake | Oneonta | Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch | Wilder Lake Road on west end and East Street on northeast corner of lake |
Rensselaer County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black River Pond | Berlin | Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch | Off Miller Road/County Route 35 in Cherry Plains State Park, about 2 miles west of NYS Route 22 | |
| Bradley Lake | Troy | Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass | Parking lot located across from tennis courts off Frear Park Road | |
| Burden Lake | Sand Lake, Nassau | Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, White Perch, Rock Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye | Located off Burden Lake Road on 2nd Dyke Road | |
| Dunham Reservoir (Grafton Lakes State Park) | Grafton | Chain Pickerel, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | Parking area located at the northeast corner of the lake off Johnston Road and at boat launch site located on northwest side off Dunham Reservoir Road. | |
| Dyken Pond | Grafton, Berlin | Chain Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Black Crappie | Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center on Dyken Pond Road. Contact 518-658-2055 for timing of gate closure | |
| Glass Lake | Sand Lake | Brown Bullhead, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Pumpkinseed, Rainbow Trout Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch | Town of Sand Lake pull off is located off County Route 43 and 66 | |
| Long Pond (Grafton Lakes State Park) | Grafton | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Alewife | Access points off North Long Pond Road and the main Parkway Road near beach. | |
| Mill Pond (Grafton Lakes State Park) | Grafton | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch | On southwest shore along North Long Pond Road, north of State Route 2 at a hand launch site. | |
| Second Pond (Grafton Lakes State Park) | Grafton | Brown trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Alewife | Access from south shore along North Long Pond Road, north of State Route 2. | |
| Shaver Pond (Grafton Lakes State Park) | Grafton | Chain Pickerel, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead | Parking off the main Grafton Lakes Parkway Road and off Shaver Pond Road. | |
| Snyders Lake | North Greenbush | Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye | Parking at Dedrick Recreational Facility for North Greenbush and Rensselaer County residents only | |
| Tomhannock Reservoir | Pittstown | Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, White Perch, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye | Numerous pull-offs and shoreline access points on Reservoir Road. Must obtain access permit from the City of Troy | |
| Wright Lake | Brunswick | Common Carp, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass | Parking area on Wright Lake Road just off Route 40/Oakwood Avenue in the City of Troy. There is also access from Frear Park |
Schenectady County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collins Lake | Glenville | Chain Pickerel, Northern Pike, Common Carp, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, White Perch, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | At Collins Park boat launch site located on the south end of the lake off Schonowee Ave. (behind Jumpin' Jacks Drive-In) on Kiwanis Way, behind baseball field. At cartop launch site located on east shoreline off Washington Ave. | |
| Iroquois Lake | Schenectady | Common Carp, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | Schenectady’s Central Park off Iroquois Way and Monument Hill Road | |
| Featherstonhaugh Lake | Duanesburg | White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch | Access south-side of lake off Judith Lane. | |
| Steinmetz Lake | Schenectady | Common Carp, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch | Steinmetz Park off Hendrickson Ave and Lenox Road. |
Schoharie County
Water | Town | Fish Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklinton Vlaie Pond | Middleburgh | Chain Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, Largemouth Bass | Parking areas providing access can be found along State Route 145 and Gates Hill Road East | No |
| Looking Glass Pond | Fulton | Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Golden Shiner | Looking Glass Pond Main Parking Area on Rossman Hill Road | |
| Mallet Pond | Fulton | Rainbow Trout, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Golden Shiner | Parking area at gated road off Rosseman Fly Road. Roughly a 0.3 mile walk from parking area to pond. |