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.
Goodnow Flow is a 230-acre impoundment on the Raquette River, formed by a concrete dam built in 1927. Paddlers launch from NY Route 28N near Newcomb; the shoreline holds mixed forest and a handful of primitive campsites accessible by canoe.
Piseco Lake spans 2,919 acres in the southern Adirondacks, open to motorboats and ringed by public access points and a state campground. Brook trout, lake trout, and landlocked salmon hold in deeper water; launch from the village of Piseco for easy access to the full shoreline.
Gull Lake is a 212-acre body of water in the central Adirondacks, accessible by a roughly 1-mile paddle from the Limekiln Lake boat launch. Remote and lightly visited, it offers quiet fishing for brook trout and primitive shoreline campsites.
Copper Lake is a remote 87-acre pond in the Pigeon Lake Wilderness, accessible only by paddling across Sargent Ponds and portaging 0.3 miles. No fish stocking records; visitors come for solitude and backcountry camping on designated sites along the north shore.
Indian Lake is a 4,255-acre reservoir in the central Adirondacks, created by damming the Indian River in 1898. The lake supports year-round fishing for lake trout, landlocked salmon, and bass — boat launches at multiple access points make it a hub for multi-day paddling and motorboat use.
Bailey Lake is a small, remote body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness — reachable by bushwhack or via the Oswegatchie River drainage system. No maintained trail; primarily visited by canoeists willing to portage and navigate unmarked terrain.
Rock Lake is a remote body of water in the western High Peaks, accessible by bushwhack or winter ice approach. No marked trails lead to the shore — experienced navigators only.
Blue Mountain Lake spans 1,555 acres in the central Adirondacks, with public boat launch access and a mix of shoreline camps and conserved forest. Known for lake trout and landlocked salmon; the Adirondack Museum overlooks the water from its western shore.
Upper Lake Chateaugay is a 640-acre lake in the northern Adirondacks, part of the Chateaugay Lakes chain. Public access via state launch on NY-374; bass, pike, and perch fishing; quieter than Lower Chateaugay but still allows motorboats.
Otter Pond is a small backcountry pond in the High Peaks Wilderness, accessible via a 3.2-mile hike from the Elk Lake trailhead. Brook trout fishing in quiet water; the pond sits below Dix Mountain's eastern slopes.
Clear Lake is a 396-acre body of water in the St. Regis Canoe Area, accessible only by paddle — no motors allowed. The shoreline holds 12 designated primitive campsites; paddlers often use it as a base for exploring the connected chain of wilderness ponds.
Elk Lake is a 1,120-acre glacial lake ringed by High Peaks — Mount Marcy, Dix, and the Great Range rise directly from its shores. Access is through private Elk Lake Lodge (day-use fee required); the water is clear and cold, with lake trout and landlocked salmon.
Forked Lake is a 1,248-acre remote lake in the western High Peaks wilderness, reachable only by a 5.5-mile carry from the nearest trailhead or by paddling through Raquette Lake. Brook trout fishing and primitive campsites along wooded shorelines; motorboats permitted but rare due to access.
Jocks Pond is a small backcountry water in the southern Adirondacks, accessible by bushwhack or seasonal snowshoe. Remote and fishless — worth the trek only if you want solitude over scenery.
Rock Lake is a remote backcountry lake in the Five Ponds Wilderness, accessible only by trail or bushwhack. Brook trout hold in cold water; no development, no motorized access — pure stillness.
Meacham Lake is a 1,200-acre state-operated campground lake in the northern Adirondacks with a boat launch, swimming beach, and stocked warmwater fishery. Open to motorboats; the campground runs late May through Labor Day with 224 sites.
Sanford Lake is a 1,445-acre reservoir in the central Adirondacks, created in 1898 when a dam was built at the outlet of the former Harris Lake. The shoreline is largely undeveloped and accessible by paddle; a carry-in launch sits off Tahawus Road near the dam.
Dart Lake is a 79-acre backcountry lake in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 6.5-mile trail from the Inlet Trailhead. Brook trout and lean-to camping; the water stays cold through July.
Sand Lake is a 103-acre body of water in the central Adirondacks, accessible by a 1.2-mile trail from Piseco-Powley Road. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive shoreline camping — quiet water, minimal traffic.
Mohegan Lake is a 136-acre water body in the southern Adirondacks, accessible by trail from the Speculator area. The lake holds brook trout and supports backcountry camping — a quiet alternative to the busier lakes north.
Fishing Brook Flow is a remote waterway in the Five Ponds Wilderness, accessible by trail from Stillwater or via canoe routes through the western wild lakes. Quiet water for paddlers willing to work for it — no road access, minimal traffic, primitive campsites along the banks.
Seventh Lake is the largest of the Fulton Chain Lakes at 1,155 acres, tucked between Sixth Lake and Eighth Lake in the central Adirondacks. Boat launch at Inlet; popular for bass and northern pike; shoreline campsites available by reservation through NYSDEC.
Harrisburg Lake is a 122-acre body of water in the northwestern Adirondacks, accessible via NY-3 near Cranberry Lake. The shoreline holds a mix of private camps and undeveloped stretches; paddlers find quiet water and a put-in off Tooley Pond Road.
Garnet Lake is a 254-acre backcountry lake reached by a 4.6-mile trail from the Thirteenth Lake trailhead. Clear water, lean-to camping, and a sand beach — reliable access spring through fall, popular for swimming and brook trout.
Henderson Lake is a 1.4-mile-long remote lake in the High Peaks Wilderness, reachable by a 7-mile trail from Upper Works. The water sits at 1,825 feet in a glacial valley — stillwater paddling, wild brook trout, and a designated campsite for overnight trips.
Big Otter Lake is a 367-acre lake in the southern Adirondacks, accessible by car via Big Otter Lake Road. Warmwater fishing for bass and panfish; public boat launch on the north shore.
Eagle Crag Lake is a remote body of water reached by bushwhack or unmarked paths — no maintained trail leads directly to it. Clear water, quiet shoreline, and isolation for paddlers willing to navigate off-trail.
Upper Saint Regis Lake is a 743-acre spring-fed lake in the Saint Regis Canoe Area, accessible only by paddling a quarter-mile carry from a public launch. No motors allowed — known for brook trout, lean-tos along the shore, and connections to the wider chain of wilderness ponds.
Second Lake lies in the Fulton Chain, a series of eight connected lakes in the central Adirondacks. Motorboats allowed; popular for fishing (bass, pike, perch) and paddling between First and Third Lakes via navigable channels.
Catlin Lake is a remote pond in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 3.2-mile hike from the Eleventh Mountain trailhead. The water holds brook trout and sees light pressure — a quiet alternative to busier High Peaks destinations.
Partlow Lake is a small body of water in the northern Adirondacks, accessible by bushwhack from the Floodwood Road area. No maintained trail reaches it — navigational skills required, minimal fishing pressure.
Woodhull Lake is a 330-acre remote water in the southwestern Adirondacks, reachable by a 2.3-mile trail from the Woodhull Road trailhead. No motors allowed — paddle only, with primitive camping along the shore and brook trout in clear water.
Rainbow Lake spans 856 acres in the northern Adirondacks near the hamlet of the same name. Public boat launch on Route 30; known for northern pike and largemouth bass, with motorboats allowed and seasonal camps along the wooded shore.
Honnedaga Lake is a 1,700-acre remote water in the southwestern Adirondacks, accessed by a 5-mile paddle and portage from the Moose River Plains. Brook trout and lake trout; limited primitive camping; no motors above 10 horsepower.
Salmon Lake is a 96-acre water body in the West-Central Adirondacks, accessible by a moderate 1.2-mile trail from NY Route 28. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive shoreline camping — quiet water, minimal traffic.
Long Lake stretches 14 miles through the central Adirondacks — one of the longest natural lakes in the park. The hamlet at its north end offers boat launches, a public beach, and canoe access to the Raquette River system.
Massawepie Lake is a 1,015-acre body of water in the northern Adirondacks, primarily within a Boy Scouts of America camp. Public access is limited; paddlers can launch from state land on the northeast shore, but most of the shoreline remains restricted.
Paradox Lake is a 840-acre lake in the Schroon Lake region, named for its unusual drainage pattern that reverses with seasonal water levels. State boat launch on the north shore; known for smallmouth bass and northern pike, with several Adirondack lean-tos along the eastern shoreline.
Long Pond is a 342-acre lake in the St. Regis Canoe Area, accessible only by paddle — no motors allowed. Clear water, primitive campsites on the shoreline, and a put-in from the Floodwood Road trailhead make it a quiet backcountry option.
Jordan Lake is a remote body of water in the Silver Lake Wilderness, reached by a 3.2-mile trail from the Northville-Placid Trail junction. No motors, minimal shore development — a quiet paddle destination for canoeists willing to carry in.
Muskrat Lake is a remote body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness — access requires a multi-mile bushwhack or paddle from nearby trailheads. The lake holds native brook trout and sees minimal pressure due to its isolation.
Barker Pond is a small backcountry water in the central Adirondacks, reached by bushwhack or unmarked path. No stocked fish, no facilities — a quiet option for paddlers willing to carry in and navigate without trail markers.
Lake Eaton is a 529-acre lake in the northern Adirondacks with a public beach, campground, and boat launch off Route 30. Warmwater fishing for bass and pike; motorboats permitted under 10 horsepower.
Sacandaga Lake is a 29-mile reservoir formed in 1930 by the Conklingville Dam — the largest body of water in the Adirondacks by surface area. Marinas and public launches ring the shore; motorboats permitted, and summer draws heavy recreational traffic.
Third Pond is a small backcountry water in the High Peaks Wilderness, reached via the trail to Marcy Dam and then bushwhack. Minimal traffic, no maintained path to shore — it's mostly a navigation checkpoint for off-trail hikers heading deeper into the range.
Mountain View Lake is a small body of water in the Adirondack Park — its exact acreage and depth are not widely documented. Access and current conditions should be verified locally before planning a visit.
Follensby Clear Pond is a 348-acre wilderness pond in the St. Regis Canoe Area, reachable only by paddling from Floodwood Road or hiking a 3-mile trail from Saranac Inn. The shoreline offers primitive campsites; motorboats are banned, making it quiet water for paddlers and anglers targeting native brook trout.
Little Moose Lake is a 327-acre body of water in the West-Central Adirondacks, accessed via state land off Uncas Road. The lake holds landlocked salmon and lake trout; launch from the state boat access or paddle in from nearby Fourth Lake.
Little Safford Lake is a small, backcountry lake in the central Adirondacks reached by unmarked routes—local knowledge or strong navigation skills required. Quiet water, minimal traffic, and a remote feel for paddlers willing to work for it.
Black Creek Lake is a remote body of water in the northern Adirondacks, accessible via unmarked paths and seasonal logging roads. The lake holds brook trout and sees minimal pressure — plan for navigation challenges and no maintained facilities.
Barnes Pond is a small backcountry water accessible via bushwhack or unmarked path — no official trail leads to it. Minimal use, no development; a destination for anglers and paddlers willing to navigate off-trail.
Thirteenth Lake is a 2.5-mile-long wilderness lake in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, accessed by a 4.2-mile trail from the Beach Road trailhead. Brook trout fishing and lean-to camping on the north shore — the water stays cold through summer.
Newcomb Lake is a 548-acre body of water in the central Adirondacks, accessible by trail from the Upper Works trailhead. The lake sits within the High Peaks Wilderness and offers backcountry paddling with lean-to camping along its western shore.
Second Pond is a backcountry water in the St. Regis Canoe Area, accessible by a short portage from First Pond. Lean-tos on the south shore; primitive and quiet, with posted carry routes to Third Pond and beyond.
Ragged Lake is a remote body of water in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, reachable only by multi-mile paddle or bushwhack. No maintained trail access — this is backcountry navigation territory for experienced paddlers and anglers seeking solitude.
Canachagala Lake is a remote body of water in the northwestern Adirondacks, accessible by bushwhack or unmaintained paths. No formal trails lead to its shores — navigation skill required.
Falls Lake is a 114-acre remote lake in the Five Ponds Wilderness, reached by a 5.6-mile trail from the Stillwater trailhead. No motors; brook trout present; primitive camping allowed along the shoreline under wilderness rules.
Ampersand Lake is a 15-acre lake in the Saranac Lake Wild Forest, reached by a 3.6-mile trail from NY Route 3. The water is clear and shallow, ringed by lean-tos — a quiet overnight or a swim stop for those hiking Ampersand Mountain.
Third Lake is a 625-acre body in the Fulton Chain, accessible by boat from Fourth Lake or via the Eagle Bay shoreline. Motorboats allowed; popular for bass and pike fishing, with several primitive campsites maintained by NYSDEC along the northern shore.
Dexter Lake is a remote body of water in the northern Adirondacks, reached by bushwhack or unmaintained paths. No facilities, minimal traffic — bring a map and expect to navigate on your own.
