Lower Chateaugay Lake Fishing
A 548-acre New York lake in Franklin County.
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Lower Chateaugay Lake, summed up
State hydrography maps Lower Chateaugay Lake at close to 548 acres within Franklin County. DEC names DEC in the owner column. Chateaugay is the closest Census place, about 8 miles from the lake. The DEC region covering it is Eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain.
DEC records smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and northern pike in it. DEC marks its launch as trailer improved. Winter rule on file: ice fishing permitted.
NYS Hydrography (NHD) outline, DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds, Census places, retrieved October 24, 2026.
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Tap a chip to open the New York page for that fish caught at Lower Chateaugay Lake.
DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds species column, DEC stocking lists and state records, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Boat launch sites for Lower Chateaugay Lake
Without a mapped launch on Lower Chateaugay Lake, use one from the list that follows.
Trailer-friendly launches near Lower Chateaugay Lake
- Public Launch on Upper Chateaugay LakeUpper Chateaugay Lake, 4 miles southeast
DEC boat launch and fishing access layers, retrieved October 24, 2026.
DEC creel limits for Lower Chateaugay Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 3; minimum 21" | Apr 1 – Oct 15 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30) | 5; minimum 12" | Jun 15 – Nov 30 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Dec 1 to Jun 14) | No harvest; Catch and release only | Dec 1 – Jun 14 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum 40" | Jun 1 – Nov 30 |
| Tiger muskellunge | 1; minimum 30" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Northern pike | 5; minimum 18" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Chain pickerel | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Walleye | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Black and white crappie | 25; minimum 10" | All year |
| Yellow perch | 50 | All year |
| Sunfish | 25 | All year |
| American eel | 25; minimum 9" | All year |
DEC statewide seasons hold on Lower Chateaugay Lake except where a special regulation names the water.
2026 DEC freshwater fishing regulations (statewide table effective April 1, 2026); county special regulations from the DEC region pages; retrieved October 24, 2026, figures checked against the DEC pages October 25, 2026.
Nearby lakes measured against Lower Chateaugay Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | DEC species | Stocked 2023-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Chateaugay Lake | 548 | 0 | 4 | ||
| Upper Chateaugay Lake | 6 miles southeast | 2,550 | 1 | 7 | yes |
| Drain Pond | 8 miles southwest | 9 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Mountain View Lake | 10 miles southwest | 236 | 0 | 4 | |
| Chazy Lake | 11 miles southeast | 1,845 | 0 | 6 | yes |
| Debar Pond | 16 miles southwest | 89 | 0 | 2 | yes |
NYS Hydrography, DEC launch layers, DEC lake list and stocking lists, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Short hops from Lower Chateaugay Lake
Still water to try after Lower Chateaugay Lake
- Upper Chateaugay Lake6 miles southeast
- Drain Pond8 miles southwest
- Mountain View Lake10 miles southwest
- Chazy Lake11 miles southeast
- Debar Pond16 miles southwest
Stores that outfit Lower Chateaugay Lake trips
- Upper Chateaugay Lake Boat Launchmarina, Clinton, 4 miles
- C&s Bait & Tackle Plusbait and tackle shop, Saranac, 18 miles
Guide businesses listing Lower Chateaugay Lake
- Battle Fish Charters LLCcharter, Saranac Lake
Villages and towns to stay in near Lower Chateaugay Lake
- Malone13 miles
- Dannemora16 miles
- Plattsburgh29 miles
The county guides for Lower Chateaugay Lake
- Franklin Countycounty seat Malone
Piscifun reels matched to Lower Chateaugay Lake
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The water near Lower Chateaugay Lake through a lens

Photo: Tyler A. McNeil, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: John Sweeney, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Antepenultimate, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick replies on Lower Chateaugay Lake
Up which corner of New York would I drive for Lower Chateaugay Lake?
Look in Franklin County, DEC Eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain, about 8 miles from Chateaugay.
Across how many acres does Lower Chateaugay Lake stretch?
State maps give about 548 acres.
How many launch sites touch Lower Chateaugay Lake?
None is mapped on it; the nearby list above has the closest.
What is on the fish list for Lower Chateaugay Lake?
smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and northern pike, by DEC records.
How many bass does DEC let me keep at Lower Chateaugay Lake?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30): 5; minimum 12"; Jun 15 – Nov 30.
What does a DEC license cost for Lower Chateaugay Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a DEC freshwater fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $50.00 for nonresidents, $5.00 for residents 70 and older, with 1-day and 7-day options.
What has DEC released into Lower Chateaugay Lake?
The DEC files show no releases since 2023.
Where do anglers at Lower Chateaugay Lake get worms?
Upper Chateaugay Lake Boat Launch, 4 miles away, is closest.
Is Lower Chateaugay Lake open to tip-ups?
DEC lists it as: Ice Fishing Permitted.
Choose a free weekend for Lower Chateaugay Lake
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