Warren County, NY Fishing: Quintessential Gateway to the Adirondack Region

Warren County is a deeply historic and stunning destination in the northeast of New York State. It is mostly mountainous and heavily wooded, dotted with conifer trees that broadly define its rich landscape. Likewise, it is surrounded by great bodies of water such as Lake George and the Hudson River and filled with their rich tributaries. 

Back when New York was established as a province and initially split off into counties in 1683, the area we now know as Warren County was part of Albany. The counties continued to subdivide for years. Warren County slowly came into its own in 1813, when it finally split off from Washington County and took its name in honor of General Joseph Warren, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. During this time, Glen Falls, one of the county’s major hubs, became known for its textile manufacturing, paper milling, and limestone industries. This boom coincided with the growing popularity of the Lake George area as a prime tourist destination, thanks to a book by a Bostonian preacher William H. H. Murray called Adventures in the Wilderness; or, Camp-Life in the Adirondacks. 

Today, the prime industries of Warren County are pretty much in the same veins. It is still a thriving manufacturing region, and Lake George continues to draw in the crowds all year round. When people think of Warren County, they mostly think about Lake George. It may not be as fully rugged as the area that William H. H. Murray described in his travel guide, but it is still remarkably the same in many ways. The landscapes remain pristine and awe-inspiring, drawing in many hikers and campers from all over the world. And the fishing remains spectacular, not just in the Lake George area. Several lakes and streams flow through the county, many of them annually stocked with trout and a few more that provide a productive warm water fishery. Overall, Warren County, like the rest of the Lake George area, is a fishing destination for anglers of all types, from those looking for a relaxing fishing experience by the lake to those looking to challenge themselves and beat their records.

Warren County Fishing

Warren County is a great introduction to the productive fishing you can experience in the Adirondacks and a rightful angler’s destination in itself. The county is filled with so many bodies of water that you might find yourself fly fishing in a single spot on your own.  

If you can only fish one body of water in Warren County, then you might as well head straight to Lake George. Dubbed “The Queen of American Lakes,” Lake George is 32 miles in length, allowing you to experience a great variety of fishing all in just one enormous lake. Some of the species you will find in Lake George include landlocked salmon, lake trout, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, rock bass, and black crappie. You can access its waters from various beaches and fishing points around the lake. 

If you’re new to Lake George, the best way to fish in it is by seeking out the access points maintained by the New York State DEC or the Department of Environmental Conservation. There are five in total: Rogers Rock Campground, Northwest Bay Brook, Million Dollar Beach, Hague Town Beach, and Mossy Point. If you’re planning to launch your boat or vessel on the lake, make sure you register your watercraft. From these boat launches, you can reach the southeastern part of the lake. This corner of the lake has proven to be popular amongst anglers. Some of the best spots are near Dunham’s Bay and Kattskill Bay, Huletts Landing, and Shelving Rock Bay.

Lake George is great almost all year round but is particularly fantastic as an ice fishing destination. Its deep and cold waters are perfect for the native lake trout population, so you can expect to bag a few trophy lake trout here during winter. Other Lake George winter catch include yellow perch, northern pike, and salmon.

Another ice fishing spot in the Lake George area is Schroon Lake. Not as big as Lake George; this one still packs a punch. It is primarily known for having the most extended ice fishing season in the Adirondacks region. Schroon Lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout, along with landlocked salmon. It is home to native lake trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. You can access the lake via two boat launches maintained by the DEC, north of Pottersville: one within the Eagle Point Campground and another via Horicon off Route 9.

Brant Lake is another body of water that’s pretty vast and holds plenty of fish. It is a favorite among light-tackle fishers and enjoys fishing for perch and black crappie. Likewise, it is good trout water, receiving stockings of brown trout and rainbow trout annually. Apart from panfish and trout, the lake is also home to a healthy largemouth and smallmouth bass population, which you can target off the north side and around weed beds.

From the Brant Lake area, there’s a hiking trail that you can follow that will take you to Pharaoh Lake within the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. The hiking trail itself has access to the lake and another one from Route 74. This wilderness area is home to wild populations of lake trout and brook trout, along with stocked brookies.

For an excellent warm water fishery, head southwest of Lake George and visit Fourth Lake. You can access it via a DEC access within Lake Luzerne Campground. The body of water is home to abundant populations of northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill, rock bass, pumpkinseed, and brown bullhead, along with some largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. 

Lake Luzerne itself is a fantastic fishing area. It is known for its year-round trout fishing and its healthy population of warm water fish. It is prevalent for its panfish population. The main access point to the lake is a DEC public boat launch, but another popular way to access it is via Wayside Beach, where you can get in for free and launch your kayak or canoe.

Top 10 Fish Species in Warren County, NY

The top 10 fish species to target in Warren County, NY include rainbow trout, lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, northern pike, yellow perch, and brown bullhead.

Seasonal Fishing

While fishing in Warren County can be productive all year round, the best months to fish in the area and around New York State are from April to June. Early summer, you can target brown trout and rainbow trout in many stocked waters, such as Brant Lake. They tend to stick around and actively feed until July. Winter fishing can be incredibly productive in Warren County, with many bodies of water freezing in late December and remaining well into March. Some water bodies, notably Schroon Lake, provide excellent ice fishing for lake trout and salmon. If you happen to be fishing early into the ice fishing season, you’ll want to head out to the shallow bay areas, where you’re sure to find schools of perch and black crappie. As always, check with the authorities for open seasons and bag limits before fishing. You might also want to make sure you’re abiding by the specific regulations of a particular water body, as the rules can vary per river or lake.

Experience a Quintessential Adirondacks Vacation in Warren County

Warren County has been a classic Adirondacks destination for centuries. Aside from the pristine Lake George Area, it has much more to offer — history, arts and culture, and more.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Warren County is best explored the old-fashioned way — with the help of a local expert who can guide you through some of the best fishing spots in the area.

2. Get a Warren County History Lesson

Visit the Fort William Henry Museum, a fantastic museum detailing the French and Indian War story that inspired the classic novel, The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. This museum is on the southern edge of Lake George and is easily accessible from the center of the Lake George Village.

3. Go Off Into the Wilderness

With Lake George being such a favorite among travelers, you may be looking for a less saturated place. If you are, then head on over to Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. This year-round wilderness area is part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve and has almost 70 miles of scenic foot trails that you can explore.