In the late 1800s' the lake earned a reputation for quality brook trout fishing, and that reputation stands today as anglers catch a number of brookies weighing over four pounds every year. Since 1981, the DEC has been stocking over 20,000 brook trout annually. The best fishing occurs in the spring at the mouth of the various creeks and brooks that flow into the lake. Anglers troll Mepps spinners, Lake Clear Wobblers and nightcrawlers, or their favorite streamers and flies. Smallmouth bass can be caught throughout the summer by working points and rocky areas.
Wind blown shorelines can be especially productive.
Succesful techniques include drifting live minnows or crayfish, trolling minnow plugs, or casting in-line spinners, small crankbaits or tipped jigs. Evening is the best time to fish. The Oswegatchie River at the lakes outlet is a popular trout water because of good access and high numbers of fish. Annual DEC stockings here include a combination of several thousand brookies and browns. A number of the brown trout are two year olds that measure over 14 inches.