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Chain Ponds Lake is a public lake in Hamilton County, New York, managed by State Department of Conservation. The shoreline and water are open to the public. Public access confirmed via NYS DEC.
An Adirondack trout pond — wild and stocked brook trout, with lake trout or landlocked salmon in the deeper ponds. Often reached by a carry; many are artificial-lure-only.
Chain Ponds Lake covers about 21 acres in the Adirondacks region. Anglers here mostly fish for brook trout, lake trout, landlocked atlantic salmon, yellow perch; brown bullhead, smallmouth bass are also on record. The nearest other mapped waters on PiscaMaps are Queer Lake and Mays Pond.
Species from NYS DEC DEC public fishing access and fishery survey data.
Night fishing: No general night-fishing closure in New York. Many trout streams and lakes close overnight or run 1 April–15 October only, and some special-regulation waters have their own hours — check the current NYSDEC regulations for this water.
Boats: Boats and motors are allowed on most public waters; some lakes are electric-motor-only and the NYC reservoirs require a steam-cleaned, tagged rowboat. Clean, drain and dry to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Bank & bivvy camping: In the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, primitive camping is allowed at marked sites and at least 150 feet from water, roads and trails (permit needed for 3+ nights). Elsewhere use DEC campgrounds and state-park sites; private riparian land is off-limits.
Tackle: Statewide season and creel limits apply (black bass third Saturday in June–30 November in most of the state, with a catch-and-release lure season outside that). Many trout waters, the Finger Lakes and the Great Lakes tributaries carry special regulations — check the NYSDEC freshwater fishing regulations for this water.
Rules verified 2026-09-02 against NYS DEC regulations. Always confirm the current rules before you fish.
Anyone 16 or older needs a New York State fishing licence — resident annual is about $25, non-resident annual about $50, and 1-day and 7-day non-resident licences are also sold. There is no separate trout stamp. Buy online from the NYSDEC.
Every water carries species, bank & boat access, current regulations and live water conditions — and members get Swim Mapper, Catch Logger and Trip Planner. It's the only US map with a dedicated carp-water layer.
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