There are plenty of good lakes to fish in the Adirondacks, but Lower Saranac is one of the best bass fisheries around!

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How to get there

There are two main launches to Lower Saranac. The main launch is on Second Pond, the site of the Saranac Lake Islands DEC campground. From downtown Saranac Lake, follow Route 3 towards Tupper Lake. After 4 miles, turn right into the NYS DEC boat launch, just after the bridge. Second Pond has a hard-surface ramp with parking for 75 vehicles and trailers. From the launch, you will have to boat or paddle through the channel to reach Lower Saranac Lake. 

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The second launch is on Ampersand Bay Road, right in town in Saranac Lake. This site gives you direct access to the lake but can accommodate only hand-launching or small motorized crafts. The parking is generally used only for vehicles without trailers.

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The paddle

Put in at State Bridge Boat Launch at the beach to the right of the motorboat ramp.  Paddle to the left passing under State Bridge into First Pond.  Follow the waterway as it curves around to the right and then the left before coming out into Lower Saranac Lake.  Stay to the right out of the way of jet skis and motorboats, which can be especially active on weekends.  Paddle east towards Ampersand Bay.  It is fun to explore the numerous islands.  Feel free to stop for a picnic at any of the unoccupied islands. Bluff, Little Twins, and the Sister Islands are popular islands set aside for day use only.  

The private lands on the shores approaching Ampersand Bay are historically worth noting.  Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) spent the summer of 1901 at a cabin on Lower Saranac Lake with his family. Martin’s Hotel, the Algonquin Hotel, and the Ampersand Hotel were once bustling with visitors including famous authors, scientists, and other forward-thinking people who came to socialize.  

Algonquin Hotel property eventually fell into the hands of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau who built the Institute's scientific laboratories and offices on the site in 1964.  On the eastern and western shore were camps owned by the Guggenheims and other wealthy families from New York City. Knollwood Camp was owned by a group of six Jewish families including Louis Marshall; Daniel Guggenheim; George Blumenthal, Elias Asiel, Max Nathan, and A.N. Stein.  Albert Einstein was a frequent visitor at Knollwood Camp.  Louis Marshall’s sons George & Bob are famous for being the first to climb all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks and initiated climbing the high peaks.

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The paddling route from State Bridge to Ampersand Bay offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the area.  Lower Saranac Lake was referred to by the Native Americans as the “Lake of the Clustered Stars,” which may have referred to the abundance of islands.  This is a fun trip for people wanting to stay close to town, but get out on the water.  Lower Saranac Lake is rich in history as well as wildlife.  You may have the opportunity to observe common loons, eagles, seagulls, great blue herons, and other birds.Fact check‍

• Total Distance:  @4 miles one way
• Length of Time:  3-5 hours (depending on stops)
• No portages
• Flat Water
• One way
• Motor boat access is available at State Bridge Boat Launch  (Second Pond/Saranac Islands Public Campgrounds)

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Fishing

Species found in Lower Saranac include northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The highlight species is the largemouth bass.

Largemouth bass season opens the third Saturday in June to November 30, and the daily limit is five with a minimum length of 12 inches. Largemouth bass might be the most popular game fish of all. And it's due to the thrill of the chase and the catch. Bass love to hide in weeds, drops, and rocks — and that's what you will find here. They also love to eat, so if you don't have any luck at one spot, just try the next. This lake has an average depth of 28 feet and a maximum depth of 50 feet.

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There are also state-run campsites on this lake, so plan a trip and stay the night.

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Know before you go

This waterbody contains aquatic invasive species. Please do your part by cleaning, draining, and drying all boats and equipment. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Paul Smith's College Adirondack Watershed Institute offers boat inspection and decontamination here to help boaters check for aquatic invasive species and safely remove any found.