Jefferson County boasts of the lone water in the United States that is open for ice fishing only.  This is how it happened.

In 1948 the DEC purchased the Harwood and Ella McSweeney property, lands that have since become the 2,310-acre Perch River Wildlife Management Area.  At the time of the sale, a warranty deed guaranteed McSweeney 45 years of fishing rights on Perch Lake.  When those rights expired in 1994, DEC officials decided to open the 540-acre lake for ice fishing only.  This decision created a unique scenario for fisheries biologists who could then determine the impact that ice fishing has on fish populations.

When anglers head to Perch Lake in December, they encounter fish that have not received any fishing pressure since the previous February.  Northern pike and yellow perch are the most popular species among ice anglers, but the lake also has good numbers of black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullhead.   The majority of Perch Lake consists of 8- to 10-foot depths with a shallow, gradual slope extending from shore.  Because of a lack of significant structure and because of extensive weed growth, fish are well-distributed throughout the lake.  This means that anglers are likely to see action no matter where they set up. 

Located 10 miles from Watertown off the Perch Lake Road, Perch Lake is open for ice fishing from December 1 through March 1.  Anglers must sign in and sign out at the check station adjacent to the parking area.  For up-to-date ice conditions, call DEC Region 6 Fisheries in Watertown, NY at 315-785-2262.

Editor’s Note: There is treasure trove of inland lakes and streams in Jefferson County, New York and Ontario Province, Canada, which are attractive all year round for pan fish, bass, walleye, trout, salmon…the list goes on. These include the Indian River Lakes chain and Black River in Jefferson County, and the Rideau Lakes chain and Charleston Lake in Ontario Province, to name a few. Check with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for additional maps, guidebooks, and regulations about fishing these freshwater gems.

(Mike Seymour is an outdoor columnist for Ogdensburg Advance News, a USCG licensed St. Lawrence River fishing guide, President of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association, and member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America).