There is public access to Lake of the Woods, New York, which is located in Jefferson County. In this post, learn how to find this lake, and what type of activities you can do there.
Lake of the Woods is small, calm lake set in an almost fairy tale-like forest setting. There are numerous cabins and large homes around the shore of the lake, and almost all of the shore is surrounded by private property.
Our family has recently developed a love of fishing, which is why we initially visited this lake. The first time that we drove there, it started pouring down rain, complete with severe thunderstorm warnings.
Even in the thunderstorm, the lake was stunning, so we knew we would be back as soon as we had another nice day and time to fish. Even better, we realized that there are two other beautiful lakes (Sixberry Lake and Millsite Lake) just a couple of miles away.
So much beauty in New York’s North Country! If you are in the Watertown or Fort Drum area looking for a lake to visit, this one should be on the list.
Where is the Lake of the Woods New York?
Lake of the Woods is located in Theresa, New York, about 40 minutes from Watertown. The public access to the lake is very close to the border with St. Lawrence County, but the lake itself is located entirely in Jefferson County.
Is there public access to Lake of the Woods NY?
Yes, there is public access to Lake of the Woods New York via the boat launch and parking area off of Fauteau Road in Theresa. There are signs on Cottage Hill Rd and Burns Rd leading to the boat launch.
The roads leading to the fishing access site were in great shape, and we had no trouble driving on the windy, beautiful roads down to the lake access point.
How to find Lake of the Woods Public Access for Fishing?
The Lake of the Woods Public Access for Fishing can be found at these coordinates: 44.318309,-75.730891. You can click the coordinates to open up Google Maps right on your device.
There are no gas stations or rest rooms at the lake, so be sure to stock up at the Valero in Theresa or Felder’s at Redwood, NY. This means that the closest place to use the restroom or get supplies is about 10 minutes from the access site.
Is there a public boat launch at Lake of the Woods NY?
Yes, there is a public boat launch at the Lake of the Woods Fishing Access Site located at the coordinates mentioned above. The launch is an unimproved trailer launch, and there is a 10 hp limit for this lake.
There is ample parking at this boat launch for at least 10 cars and trailers. To read more about the boat launches in Jefferson County, visit the following link:
I could imagine that the parking area could be somewhat muddy after several days of rain, but we visited the day after a heavy rainstorm and had no problems parking.
What is there to do at Lake of the Woods NY?
The best activities to do at Lake of the Woods are fishing, boating, bird-watching and spotting wildlife. Fishing and boating are, by far, the most popular things to do at this lake.
Because all of the adjacent land around the boat launch and fishing access site is private property, all of these activities must be done from a boat on the lake, or from the very large parking area.
There is a small bench that faces the lake for sitting down, but there are no tables, grills, or other amenities available here. In the photograph of the road leading to the boat launch and fishing site, the bench is visible to the right of the path.
How big is the Lake of the Woods New York?
Lake of the Woods NY is a covers about 172 acres, and has 3.3 miles of shoreline. Almost all of the shoreline, except for the small Public Access for Fishing site, is private property.
How deep is Lake of the Woods NY?
Lake of the Woods New York is 80 feet deep at its deepest, but has a mean depth of 43 feet. Even though it is a small lake, its depth allows access for boating and for the fish species in the lake to grow to substantial sizes.
What type of fish live in Lake of the Woods New York?
This is a great lake for catching panfish such as Bluegill, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and even Atlantic Salmon.
You might also find:
- Rainbow Trout
- Lake Whitefish
- Brown Bullhead Catfish
- Black Crappie
- Yellow Perch
There are also Rock Bass in this lake, even though this species is not listed on the Department of Environmental Conservation website’s page about Lake of the Woods. We caught a “large” one during our visit there, and have found them in almost every river and lake that we have visited in this region.
Other than Rock Bass, the other main invasive species in the lake is a plant called Eurasian Watermilfoil. If you have ever visited lakes in Jefferson County, NY, then you have seen this plant growing in the water.
Is ice fishing allowed at Lake of the Woods NY?
Yes, ice fishing is permitted at Lake of the Woods. Species such as salmon, Northern Pike and Lake Trout may be caught in the winter. Access to this area during winter might be difficult because of significant snow and ice cover, so if you do decide to try ice fishing, be sure to be prepared.
Conclusion
I hope that you do take a trip to Lake of the Woods New York. While it certainly is not as famous or big as some of the other lakes with the same name (in Ontario and Washington State, for example), it is still a beautiful lake with a lot to offer.