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.
Pharaoh Lake is a 444-acre wilderness lake that reaches 70 feet deep, accessible only by trail in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Lake trout and smallmouth bass hold in water few anglers reach — the hike keeps pressure light and the fish less wary.
Schroon Lake covers 4,233 acres in the eastern Adirondacks and drops to 152 feet — deep enough for lake trout and landlocked salmon alongside smallmouth bass. Multiple public launches and calmer traffic than Lake George make it a practical choice for families and anglers seeking clear water without the crowds.
Schroon Lake runs nine miles north-south along US-9 between Pottersville and the village of Schroon Lake — 4,200 acres of open water with a long history as a resort destination and one of the few large lakes in the Park with consistent highway access along its entire western shore. The lake supports a year-round population and a summer tourism economy: marinas, public beaches, boat launches at multiple points, and enough open water to keep the motorboat traffic dispersed. Unlike the remote ponds tucked into the High Peaks, Schroon Lake is a working lake — fishing tournaments, water skiing, public access ramps that fill on holiday weekends. For stillwater paddling without a shuttle, the Schroon River inlet at the south end offers a quieter option.
