Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for smallmouth bass.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
294-acre pond near Croghan. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
Effley Falls Pond maps at 317 acres behind 7.2 miles of shoreline. An index of 2.9 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. 53% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Call it 1.8 mi long by 1.1 mi wide at the broadest reach. Soft Maple Reservoir sits 2 mi east — the closest neighbouring chart.
Spring smallmouth bass on Effley Falls Pond hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. The chart's best answer is Main-lake point — point, 6 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Spring brown bullhead on Effley Falls Pond hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 3 to 12 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 20 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 20 ft that grades prime for winter. The feeding windows run after dark and the evening.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (5 ft) | |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 25 ft | midday | Deep basin (20 ft) |
Spring puts rock bass in skinny water — 2 to 10 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 5 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 6 to 20 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (6 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 22 ft | midday | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 30 ft | midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Effley Falls Pond carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 20 ft down.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for New York waters are set by the New York DEC — and special regulations can apply to Effley Falls Pond specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official New York fishing regulations →
Effley Falls Pond is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, rock bass on Effley Falls Pond.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For smallmouth bass, 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.
Fishing on Effley Falls Pond is regulated by the New York DEC. Check the official New York regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Soft Maple Reservoir 2 mi · Long Pond 5 mi · Francis Lake 6 mi · Stony Lake 10 mi · Round Lake 14 mi · Wolf Pond 16 mi · Brantingham Lake 16 mi · Bullhead Pond 16 mi · Streeter Lake 16 mi · Salmon Lake 16 mi · Lake Bonaparte 17 mi · Clear Lake 18 mi
See how Effley Falls Pond stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in New York · best rock bass lakes in New York · best brown bullhead lakes in New York
Browse all New York fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.