Fish Ponds.
Fish Ponds sits in the Speculator region as one of those modest-acreage waters that never quite made it onto the standard fishing or paddling circuits — twenty-three acres, no stocking records on file, and no formal trail infrastructure to speak of. The name suggests old beaver work or a historical put-and-take operation, but without current species data it's a question mark for anglers and more of a local landmark than a destination. Access likely requires either a bushwhack or permission across private land — worth confirming with the town or DEC Ray Brook before committing to the drive. If you're already in Speculator with a canoe, it's a curious dot on the map; just don't count on brookies until you've done the legwork.
Fish Ponds has public access. Summits nearby include Kettle Mountain and Mount Blue.
The water, surveyed.
- Peak foliage from the water — the best seats in the Park are in a canoe this month.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data and NYSDEC records; surface and capacity from NYSDEC and OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
- 01Bartman Road Parking LotTrailhead2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Garnet Lake Parking Lot2.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03E. Branch Gorge Trail Parking Area2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Kibby Pond Trail Parking Lot3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Shanty Falls Parking Lot3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 0611Th Mountain Parking Lot3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 07E. Sacandaga Parking Lot3.6 mipavedDirections →
- 08Cod Pond Parking Lot3.8 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
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Read before you launch.
Make a weekend of it.
Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- becks TAVERN10.8 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- Oscar's Smokehouse14.8 mi
Oscar's Smokehouse has been making fine smoked meats and cheeses for over 70 years in Warrensburg, NY.
- Canepa’s Pizza Shop14.9 mi
Canepa's Pizza Shop, formerly The Pizza Shop of Warrensburg, has been serving award-winning pizza since 2014. Featured on Rachael Ray and PMQ Magazine, they offer authentic Italian hospitality with family recipes and fine ingredients.
- Charlie Johns Store14.9 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
Sip.
4- Uncle Carl's Coffee14.0 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- The PERKS of Speculator14.9 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Caffe Vero19.6 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- ADK Blend22.6 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
Sweet.
4- The Hungry Crow Market & Café11.5 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- Speculator Creamery15.2 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor15.5 mi
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- Crossroads Ice Cream15.8 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain14.7 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Bandstand Brew Works14.9 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
- Lemon Tree Brewery14.9 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- George Henry's15.6 mi
A family-owned bar and grill on Main Street in Warrensburg doing made-to-order American grill plates, hearty steak and chicken specialties, local craft beer, and fresh-baked breads from area bakeries. No fast food.
Stay.
4- Black Mountain Lodge7.4 mi
A cabin resort on State Highway 8 in Johnsburg, between Brant Lake and Garnet Lake in the southern Adirondacks. Year-round.
- The Lodge at Harrisburg Lake9.3 mi
A 12-bedroom group lodge in Stony Creek sleeping up to 42 across 20 beds and 11 full baths, with Alpine-style architecture, lakefront, pool, multiple sport courts, and a historic tavern.
- The Inn on Gore Mountain10.1 mi
Adirondack-themed ski lodge 500 feet from the Gore Mountain access road. Main Lodge plus four two-story cabins, eighteen rooms total, sleeping up to thirty-two guests across twelve bedrooms.
- Gore Mountain Lodge10.8 mi
Gore Mountain Lodge is your Adirondack lodging vacation escape two minutes from both the lifts at Gore Mountain and the Hudson River.
See.
4- North Creek Depot Museum11.9 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station11.9 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- Ampersand Christine Falls12.1 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks12.2 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Fish Ponds located?Fish Ponds is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Fish Ponds?Fish Ponds has a surface area of approximately 23 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Fish Ponds open to the public?Yes, Fish Ponds has public access. See the listing page for current trailhead, parking, and boat-launch details, and check active DEC advisories before visiting.
- Can you camp at Fish Ponds?Within roughly seven miles of Fish Ponds: 51 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.