Every named lake, pond, river, and stream worth fishing in the Adirondack Park — with the species you'll find, the access you can count on, and the regions they sit in.
Cheney Pond is a 35-acre backcountry water in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, reached by a 2.4-mile hike from Pharaoh Lake. Brook trout, lean-to camping, and solitude — fewer visitors push past Pharaoh to get here.
Indian Lake stretches 12 miles through the central Adirondacks, one of the largest lakes entirely within the park. Motorboat access, public launch, and a mix of developed shoreline and wild coves — season runs ice-out (late April) through October.
Friends Lake is a 187-acre lake in the southeastern Adirondacks, open to non-motorized and electric-motor boats under 10 horsepower. Brook trout and largemouth bass; public access via a NYSDEC boat launch on the eastern shore.
Mud Lake is a shallow pond in the central Adirondacks, accessible by bushwhack or seasonal logging roads depending on which Mud Lake you mean — the name appears on at least four separate water bodies across the park. Most hold warmwater species; none are maintained for public access.
Butler Lake is a 48-acre body of water in the central Adirondacks, accessible by a 1.2-mile carry from the Moose River Plains Wild Forest parking area. The lake holds brook trout and supports primitive shoreline camping under NYSDEC permit.
Echo Lake is a 13-acre pond in the Panther Mountain Wild Forest, reached by a 1.2-mile trail from US Route 9. The water is clear and shallow, circled by hardwoods — a quiet swim spot with no outlet.
Upper Sister Lake is a remote backcountry lake in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by bushwhack or unmarked herd paths. Brook trout water; no motorized access — pack light and know your route.
Witchopple Lake is a remote body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, reachable only by trail — no road access. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive shoreline camping for those willing to carry gear several miles in.
Mud Pond is a small backcountry water reached by unmarked routes or bushwhack — check local trail resources for current access. The pond holds native brook trout and sees light fishing pressure due to its remoteness.
Lake Serene is a 96-acre backcountry lake in the High Peaks Wilderness, reachable by a 2.3-mile trail from the Adirondack Loj Road. Brook trout hold in the deeper water; primitive campsites dot the eastern shore — quiet, but the trail sees steady traffic in summer.
First Lake is the easternmost and smallest of the eight Fulton Chain Lakes, accessible by boat from Old Forge or via a short portage. A quiet paddle spot with scenic views toward the higher peaks to the north.
G Lake is a remote backcountry pond in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by a multi-mile bushwhack or winter ski approach. No marked trail — navigation skills required; the reward is solitude and untracked shoreline.
Lower Sister Lake is a 32-acre pond in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 2.5-mile hike from the Thirteenth Lake trailhead. Brook trout present; primitive camping allowed under NYSDEC dispersed rules.
Salmon Lake is a 164-acre body of water in the northern Adirondacks, accessible by a 0.8-mile trail from the Salmon Lake trailhead. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive shoreline camping — a quiet base for paddling or fishing away from road noise.
Thayer Lake is a 36-acre water body in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, accessible via a 2.3-mile trail from the Thirteenth Lake trailhead. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive shoreline camping under NYSDEC rules.
Little Moose Lake is a 377-acre body of water in the western Adirondacks, accessible by a short portage from the Stillwater Reservoir area. Remote and motor-restricted, it draws paddlers for multi-day trips and brook trout fishing in quiet water.
Lens Lake is a small, remote water body in the central Adirondacks accessible only by bushwhack or unmarked footpath. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive camping for paddlers willing to carry in and navigate without trail signs.
Mohegan Lake is a 93-acre water body in the southern Adirondacks, accessible via a short trail from Route 8 near Speculator. It holds brook trout and sees light use — a quiet paddle or a quick fishing trip.
Sand Lake is a 115-acre body of water in the southern Adirondacks, accessible by a short portage from Sand Lake Road. Stocked with brook trout and open to non-motorized craft, it offers a quiet paddle with primitive shoreline camping by permit.
Neshane Lake is a 35-acre pond in the western Adirondacks, accessed by a short carry from NY Route 8 north of Hoffmeister. The water holds brook trout and offers quiet paddling with a few primitive campsites along the shore.
Windover Lake is a small remote water in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reachable by a bushwhack or extended paddle from nearby access points. Known for native brook trout and solitude — no maintained trails lead directly to its shore.
Lake Champlain's north basin spans open water toward the Canadian border, where walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike hold in depths that can exceed 300 feet. Weather shifts fast here—calm mornings turn to whitecaps by afternoon—so plan launches around forecast windows and carry charts for navigation.
Harris Lake is a 683-acre reservoir in the central Adirondacks, part of the Hudson River watershed. Motorized boats allowed; shoreline camping available at designated NYSDEC sites along the northern and western shores.
Little Forked Lake is a 369-acre lake in the Whitney Wilderness, accessible only by paddling 4.5 miles from Raquette Lake through a chain of connecting waterways. No motorboats; the route's remoteness keeps traffic low, and NYSDEC maintains primitive campsites along the shore.
Pine Lake is a 198-acre lake in the St. Regis Canoe Area, accessible only by paddling from other connected waters — no road access. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive campsites on its shores; motorboats are prohibited throughout the canoe area.
Upper Cascade Lake sits at 2,858 feet in the Cascade Lakes chain, accessible from Route 73 near Cascade Pass. A small, cold-water lake framed by steep slopes — popular for trout fishing and as a calm-water paddle, though parking fills fast on summer weekends.
Wilmurt Lake is a remote 296-acre body of water in the West Canada Lake Wilderness, accessible by a 2.5-mile trail from the Moose River Plains. No motors; known for brook trout and loon sightings in a backcountry setting.
Spitfire Lake is a remote backcountry water reached by unmarked bushwhack from the nearest trail. No maintained access, no facilities — navigation skills required.
Cascade Lake is a 400-acre lake in the High Peaks region, flanked by Cascade and Pitchoff mountains. The shoreline holds DEC campsites accessible by canoe or kayak; fishing for bass and pike; a boat launch on Route 73 puts paddlers on the water in minutes.
Lower Cascade Lake lies along Route 73 between Lake Placid and Keene, a roadside water body beneath the Cascade Mountain ridge. No public boat launch — shoreline access is limited, and most visitors see it from the highway pullouts.
Round Lake is a 437-acre body of water in the northern Saranac region with both motorboat access and a state-maintained launch off Route 3. The lake holds smallmouth bass and northern pike; several primitive campsites ring the shoreline for paddlers seeking an overnight.
Shallow Lake is a remote backcountry water in the Adirondack interior, accessed by bushwhack or unmarked paths. No motorboats, no maintained access — purely for those comfortable navigating without trail markers.
Pine Lake is a 104-acre lake in the town of Harford, accessible by a short carry from Pico Mountain Road. Known for quiet paddling and brook trout; no motorboats allowed, making it a low-traffic option for canoes and kayaks.
Balfour Lake is a remote body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, reachable only by trail or bushwhack. No motorized access; the isolation keeps it quiet and the fishing pressure light.
Lake Tear of the Clouds sits at 4,292 feet on the southwest slope of Mount Marcy — the highest lake in New York and the source of the Hudson River. Reached by a steep, unmarked spur from the Feldspar Brook trail; often visited as a side trip during Marcy ascents.
Indian Lake is a 12-mile-long lake in the central Adirondacks, fed by the Indian River and known for landlocked salmon and lake trout. The hamlet of Indian Lake sits at the south end; boat launches and camping access make it a base for multi-day fishing and paddling trips.
Second Lake is the middle body in the Fulton Chain of Lakes, a 464-acre water open to motorboats and paddlers. Access from Old Forge or Inlet; popular for fishing smallmouth bass and northern pike in season.
Chazy Lake is a 690-acre lake in the northeastern Adirondacks, straddling Clinton and Franklin Counties. Public access via DEC boat launch on the north shore; known for smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Oseetah Lake is a 586-acre waterbody in the Saranac Lakes chain, directly accessible from the village of Saranac Lake. Year-round public boat launch on Route 86; known for bass and northern pike, with paddling routes linking to neighboring Middle and Lower Saranac.
Zack Pond is a small backcountry water in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 3.5-mile hike from the Youngs Road trailhead. Brook trout hold in the cold water; the shoreline is undeveloped and sees light traffic even in summer.
Round Lake is a remote body of water in the Adirondack interior — access typically requires a multi-mile bushwhack or canoe carry depending on approach. No maintained trails lead directly to it; visitorship is sparse and conditions are pure backcountry.
Fourth Lake is the largest of the Fulton Chain, spanning 1,417 acres in the central Adirondacks near Inlet. Motorboats allowed; public launch off Route 28, plus scattered lean-tos and campsites accessible by water.
Fourth Lake is the largest of the Fulton Chain — 4.5 miles long, stretching from Inlet to Eagle Bay. Motor access, public beaches, and a mix of private camps make it the busiest of the eight, but the shoreline still holds quiet coves for paddlers willing to work around powerboat wakes.
Weller Pond is a remote backcountry water north of Indian Lake, reached by unmarked woods routes or winter ice travel. No maintained trail; locals fish it for brook trout when access conditions allow.
Little Tupper Lake spans 2,300 acres in the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area — the largest lake in New York entirely within a wilderness classification. Access requires a 2.5-mile paddle or portage from the Sabattis Circle trailhead; motors prohibited, camping by permit only.
South Lake sits in the central Adirondacks at 1,762 feet elevation, accessible via a moderate 2.4-mile trail from Route 28N. Clear water, rocky shoreline, and a lean-to make it a reliable overnight destination for paddlers and hikers.
Ferris Lake is a 1,136-acre wilderness lake in the West Canada Lake Wilderness, accessible only by trail or float plane. No motors, no road — it's a remote paddle with lean-tos on the shoreline and a reputation for brook trout.
Duck Lake is a remote body of water accessible by trail or bushwhack, depending on which Duck Lake you mean — the park contains several. Most are small, lightly visited, and suited to anglers or paddlers seeking solitude over amenities.
Fifth Lake is one of the eight Fulton Chain Lakes, connected by carries and short channels — a popular paddle route through the central Adirondacks. Motor access is permitted; state launch off Route 28.
Brooktrout Lake is a 214-acre backcountry water in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 5.2-mile trail from the Stillwater trailhead. The lake holds native brook trout and allows primitive camping—most sites sit on the north shore, away from the trail approach.
Eighth Lake is the largest of the Fulton Chain Lakes at 1,200 acres, with state-launch access off Route 28 in Inlet. Motorboats permitted; the lake draws summer boaters and anglers for landlocked salmon and lake trout.
Little Pine Lake is a small backcountry water in the Saint Regis Canoe Area, reached by a short portage from the main paddling route. Quiet, undeveloped shoreline; brook trout; used mostly as a layover stop between larger lakes.
Bug Lake is a remote backcountry pond in the Five Ponds Wilderness, accessible by unmarked routes and requiring navigation skill. No maintained trails lead in — this is true bushwhack territory with minimal visitor traffic.
Barnes Pond is a small backcountry pond reached by bushwhack or unmaintained paths — no official trail, no development. Brook trout present; access typically from the south via old logging routes that fade in and out.
Twitchell Lake is a 289-acre lake in the northwestern Adirondacks, open to motorboats and known for smallmouth bass and northern pike. Public access via NYSDEC launch on Route 10; several shoreline camps, but plenty of open water for fishing and cruising.
Mount Arab Lake is a 103-acre water body in the northwestern Adirondacks, named for the adjacent fire-tower peak. The lake offers brook trout fishing and primitive shoreline camping; access via a short carry from the trailhead on Conifer Road.
Third Lake is the largest of the Fulton Chain of Lakes at 1,262 acres, with public access via the state boat launch on Route 28. Motorboats allowed; popular for bass and pike fishing and as a waypoint for paddlers linking the chain.
Crooked Lake is a 387-acre lake in the Saranac Lake Wild Forest, accessible by a 1.2-mile trail from NY Route 3. The lake holds brook trout and smallmouth bass; primitive camping is allowed along the shore by NYSDEC permit.
Grampus Lake is a remote 133-acre body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 6-mile hike from the Inlet trailhead. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive camping along its shores—a destination for hikers willing to earn their solitude.
Sand Lake is a remote body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness, accessible by a 7-mile hike from the Stillwater Reservoir trailhead. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive shoreline camping under NYSDEC permit.
