Anglers Guide

Cranberry Lake
Five Ponds Wilderness Area

1
Contents Chippewa Bay Morristown Ogdensburg Waddington Massena Black Lake Heuvelton Grasse River Raquette River Reservoirs Lake Ozonia Trout Lake Sylvia Lake Plumb Brook Star Lake Cranberry Lake Oswegatchie Headwaters Massawepie

    Cranberry Lake offers good fishing for brook trout and smallmouth bass. In the late 1800s' the lake earned a reputation for quality brook trout fishing, and that reputation stands today as anglers catch a number of brookies weighing over four pounds every year. Since 1981, the DEC has been stocking over 20,000 brook trout annually. The best fishing occurs in the spring at the mouth of the various creeks and brooks that flow into the lake. Anglers troll Mepps spinners, Lake Clear Wobblers and nightcrawlers, or their favorite streamers and flies.

    Smallmouth bass can be caught throughout the summer by working points and rocky areas. Wind blown shorelines can be especially productive. Succesful techniques include drifting live minnows or crayfish, trolling minnow plugs, or casting in-line spinners, small crankbaits or tipped jigs. Evening is the best time to fish.

Smallmouth Bass
Brown Trout

    The Oswegatchie River at the lakes outlet is a popular trout water because of good access and high numbers of fish. Annual DEC stockings here include a combination of several thousand brookies and browns. A number of the brown trout are two year olds that measure over 14 inches.

Cranberry Lake Boat Launch & Handicapped Access
GPS Readings Lat    - N 44* 13' 04.1"
Long - W 74* 50' 80.0"

    The Five Ponds Wilderness Area, which borders the southern portion of the lake, is home to numerous ponds that hold brook trout. These trout are accessible to anglers who are willing to do some hiking and to carry in an inflatable raft. Among the stocked ponds here are Cowhorn, Darning Needle, Fishpole, Glasby, Nicks, Olmstead, Simmons, and Spectacle.

The Cranberry Lake area offers unlimited camping opportunities. At the lake itself, the DEC operates a public campground with tent and trailer sites. Most of the lake's shoreline is state owned, and 46 sites around the lake and on Joe Indian Island have been designated for camping. Also, wilderness camping is available to individuals who are willing to backpack or canoe.

CRANBERRY LAKE STATE CAMPSITE
  Operated by DEC, 173 sites, open May-Nov., 315 848-2315.

To receive a Free copy of the Angler's Guide

Write to:
St. Lawrence County
Chamber of Commerce
Drawer A
Canton, NY 13617

Phone:
1 315 386-4000
Fax:
1 315 386-0134

E-mail: slccoc@northnet.org

Click Here!