Fishing Cranberry Lake

AKA: Lake Cranberry

Popular Fish Species
Cranberry Lake Fishing Video
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Cranberry Lake, NY

Popular Fish Species Cranberry Lake, NY

Cranberry Lake Popular Fish - Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fishing

Big northern pike are currently thriving in the cool waters of Cranberry Lake. They are voracious feeders and they have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help.

Cranberry Lake Popular Fish - Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Fishing

Cranberry Lake is well known for year-round yellow perch fishing, which tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Cranberry Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Cranberry Lake continues to sustain a robust smallmouth bass population. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Cranberry Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, brook trout, yellow perch and northern pike at Cranberry Lake in New York.

The epitome of natural beauty, Cranberry Lake is nestled in the Adirondacks awaiting your visit. This 7,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state has so many pockets and coves, it boasts 71 miles of shoreline.

One of the primary fish species in Cranberry Lake is the smallmouth bass. In addition, brook trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, perch and northern pike make up the resident fish species. There is no marina on the lake, but rental boats are available. The public boat launch allows for easy launching. Canoes, row boats, kayaks and car toppers are popular, along with pontoons, pleasure boats and all manner of fishing boats. If you like to rough it, camping and RV hookups are all nearby the water. If you prefer comfort, there are many options for lodging. Also close by are baits shops, fishing tackle, convenience stores and most supplies for boating, fishing and camping. Ice fishing is popular here, once the ice is safe, and annual ice fishing derby's are held by the fire department.

Primary fish species residing in Cranberry Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Cranberry Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cranberry Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Columbian Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.