Fishing
If you’re looking for landlocked salmon, Hoel Pond is the place to go. Summer’s hotter temps will send them into the deeper water (the pond maxes out at 65 feet), but a troll over Hoel’s 455 acres should net you something.
With the variety below the surface, you don’t know what might be on the end of the line – lake trout are abundant here, along with largemouth and smallmouth bass and a variety of panfish.
Be sure to get your fishing in before it freezes; ice fishing is not allowed on Hoel Pond.
You can access the water through the only boat launch on the southern shore at the end of Hoel Pond Road, just off Floodwood Road.
Paddling
This route starts out from the state boat launch site at the south end of Hoel Pond. Hoel Pond is located at the south end, but outside the St. Regis Canoe Area. Hoel Pond does allow motor boats.
Hoel Pond is a large pond with over 6 miles of shoreline to explore. The eastern shores are private.
Caution: a culvert drains Hoel Pond and is not designed to travel through. The culvert is wide enough for most kayaks, but it drains steeply downhill with a slight drop at the other end, making it a dangerous and unsuccessful venture.
How to get there
From Malone, follow Route 30 toward Paul Smiths, continuing to Lake Clear. Turn right in Lake Clear, following Route 30 toward Tupper Lake for around 5.5 miles to Floodwood Road on the right. Follow Floodwood Road for 0.35 miles to Hoel Pond Road on the right. Follow here to the Hoel Pond Access Road (dirt road) on the left. Follow this rough road along the golf course to the boat launch, 0.5 miles.
Type of launch
State boat launch site, less than 100 feet.
Portage/Carry Details
From the state boat launch site to Hoel Pond, the carry is 30 feet on a short, steep path down stairs to a sandy beach.
Type of water
This can be a very large body of water and can produce very large waves. Motorboats are allowed by shore owners. No motorboat use by visitors.
Camping
Primitive camping sites are located on the pond to the NE and SW.
