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Fishing Ausable River (West Branch): what the data says
Lake Placid to Au Sable Forks. the Adirondacks' storied trout water. The river tops out around 5 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Ausable River (West Branch)
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 1 to 5 ft. Summer fish stay in 1 to 5 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 5 ft. Current seam (mile 0.6) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 5 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Brown Trout fishing at Ausable River (West Branch)
Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 1 to 5 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 5 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 5 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 0.6): a current seam around 3 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and early morning. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 5 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 5 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 5 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Brook Trout fishing at Ausable River (West Branch)
Spring brook trout on Ausable River (West Branch) hold shallow, usually 1 to 5 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 5 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 5 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 0.6), a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 5 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 5 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Notable structure
- Wilmington Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 4 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.5): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.4): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.5): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.0): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 5.6): eddy pocket, around 3 ft
- Current seam (mile 0.6): current seam, around 3 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 2.5): rock pile, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Ausable River (West Branch)?
Ausable River (West Branch) is about 5 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Ausable River (West Branch)?
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout on Ausable River (West Branch).
Where is the best fishing spot on Ausable River (West Branch)?
Current seam (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Ausable River (West Branch)?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Chazy Lake · Lake Champlain · Paradox Lake · Meacham Lake · Schroon Lake · Brant Lake
See how Ausable River (West Branch) stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in New York · best brown trout lakes in New York · best brook trout lakes in New York
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