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Rating depth structure for largemouth bass.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
30.6-acre lake near Stony Point. The lake tops out around 40 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Traced from the shoreline, Hessian Lake runs 32 acres with 1.1 miles of edge. A shoreline index of 1.4 says round and simple: fish relate to depth changes here, not shoreline features. 41% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 0.5 mi, about 0.2 mi across. The nearest mapped water is Hudson River - Haverstraw Bay to Newburgh, 4 mi to the north.
In spring, brook trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring brook trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (36 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 12 to 40 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 36 ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig until the fish tell you otherwise.
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 (7 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (36 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: largemouth bass in 2 to 10 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 20 ft before dropping to 15 to 35 ft for winter. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 2 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (36 ft) | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Come spring, look for brown trout tight to the bank in 3 to 25 ft. Expect a summer slide to 12 to 40 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 35 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 36 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in after dark and early morning. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) is the honest summer answer here.
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 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | night & dawn | Break off the point (36 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Break off the point (36 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 5 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 40 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026* | Brown Trout | 120 | ~12" |
| 2026* | Brown Trout | 720 | ~8" |
| April 2025* | Brown Trout | 710 | ~7.1" |
| April 2025* | Brown Trout | 100 | ~11.9" |
| April 2024* | Brown Trout | 100 | ~13.8" |
| April 2024* | Brown Trout | 730 | ~8.2" |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: NYSDEC fish-stocking lists, retrieved 2026-09-23.
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 Hessian Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official New York fishing regulations →
Hessian Lake is about 40 ft (12 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 brook trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown trout on Hessian Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 36 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For brook 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.
Yes — per NYSDEC fish-stocking lists records, Hessian Lake was most recently stocked March 2026 with 120 brown trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Hessian Lake 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.
Hudson River - Haverstraw Bay to Newburgh 4 mi · Silver Mine Lake 4 mi · Lake Tiorati 6 mi · Lake Welch 7 mi · Lake Askoti 7 mi · Mohansic Lake 10 mi · Lake Stahahe 10 mi · Lake Sebago 11 mi · Round Lake 11 mi · Walton Lake 12 mi · Hudson River - Tappan Zee to Haverstraw Bay 12 mi · Pine Meadow Lake 12 mi
See how Hessian Lake stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in New York · best smallmouth bass lakes in New York · best brown trout lakes in New York · best brook trout 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.