What Ampersand Bay offers and where to find it

Ampersand Bay is the northeastern arm of Lower Saranac Lake, a sheltered pocket that holds smallmouth bass and lake trout when the main lake gets crowded or rough. The bay sits roughly two miles northeast of the village of Saranac Lake, accessible by water from the public launch at the Saranac Lake Islands public campground or by a shorter paddle from the Ampersand Bay boat launch on Route 86. The launch on Route 86 is the practical choice for most anglers—it's a small, free public ramp with parking, and it puts you directly into the bay rather than requiring a two-mile paddle across open water.

The bay itself is narrow and relatively shallow compared to the main lake, with depths ranging from 8 to 25 feet across most of the fishing area. A ridge of rock and gravel runs along the eastern shore, and the western side drops into deeper water more gradually. This structure—combined with the bay's protection from wind—makes it reliable when conditions elsewhere on Saranac Lake are poor.

Key Takeaways

  • The Ampersand Bay launch on Route 86 is free and puts you directly into the bay without a long paddle across open water.
  • Smallmouth bass hold along the rocky eastern shore and around submerged structure in 10 to 20 feet of water.
  • Lake trout move into the shallower bay water in spring and fall, and suspend deeper during summer heat.
  • Early morning and evening produce the most consistent smallmouth action, especially in June through September.
  • The bay is narrow enough that a small boat or canoe works well, and wind rarely builds the way it does on the main lake.

Smallmouth bass patterns through the year

Smallmouth in Ampersand Bay follow the same seasonal rhythm as the rest of Lower Saranac Lake, but the bay's narrower profile and shallower average depth make them easier to locate. In spring (May through early June), smallmouth move into 8 to 15 feet of water along the eastern rocky shore as water temperatures climb past 55 degrees. They're aggressive during this window and respond well to crawfish-pattern crankbaits and small jigs worked along the bottom.

Summer (June through August) pushes smallmouth deeper and into the shade of structure. Focus on the deeper western side of the bay and any submerged logs or rock piles you can locate. Early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and the last hour before dark are your most productive windows. Soft plastics—tubes and four-inch worms on light jig heads—work better than hard baits when the sun is high and the fish are inactive.

Fall (September through October) brings smallmouth back into shallower water as temperatures drop. The eastern shore becomes productive again, and you'll find fish in 10 to 18 feet. This is often the most consistent time to fish the bay, with steady action from mid-morning through mid-afternoon.

Lake trout and the seasonal deep-water shift

Lake trout in Ampersand Bay are present year-round but their depth changes dramatically with season. In spring (April through May), they move into the shallower bay water—10 to 20 feet—as the lake begins to turn over. Small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce) and jigging with live shiners work well during this window. You can catch them from a drifting boat or by working structure vertically.

By mid-June, lake trout retreat to deeper water as the thermocline establishes. They suspend 35 to 50 feet down through July and August, making them difficult to target from a small boat without a depth finder. If you have electronics, vertical jigging with larger spoons (1 to 1.5 ounce) in the center of the bay can produce, but it requires patience and precise depth control.

Fall (September through October) brings lake trout back into the 20 to 35-foot zone as water cools. This is a better window for anglers without electronics. Troll small spoons along the deeper western side of the bay, or jig vertically if you can mark fish on a finder. Early morning trolling often produces the most consistent results.

Access and launch details

The Ampersand Bay public launch on Route 86 is a small, single-lane concrete ramp with a gravel parking area. There is no fee, and the lot typically has space even on busy summer weekends. The ramp is maintained by the town and is open year-round, though winter access depends on snow removal. There are no facilities at the launch itself—no restrooms, no bait shop, no fuel dock.

If the Ampersand Bay launch is full or you prefer a larger facility, the Saranac Lake Islands public campground launch (on the main lake) is about two miles away by water. That launch has more parking, restrooms, and a small camp store, but it requires a longer paddle to reach the bay and exposes you to wind on the main lake.

The bay is open to public fishing year-round. New York State fishing regulations apply—check the current year's guide for season dates, size limits, and daily limits for smallmouth and lake trout. Regulations can change, so verify before you fish.

Best times to fish Ampersand Bay

Early morning (sunrise through 9 a.m.) is the most reliable window for smallmouth, especially in summer. The water is calm, light levels are low, and fish are actively feeding. Evening (two hours before sunset through dark) is your second-best option, though it's shorter and wind can pick up as the day ends.

Midday fishing is possible in spring and fall, when water temperatures are cooler and fish remain active throughout the day. In summer, midday is slow unless you're fishing deep structure or the shadiest parts of the bay. Overcast days often extend the productive window by an hour or two on either end.

The bay is fishable year-round, but spring (May through early June) and fall (September through October) are the most consistent seasons. Summer can be productive if you're willing to fish early and late. Winter fishing is possible but requires ice-fishing techniques and access to a hole—the bay doesn't freeze as reliably as shallower ponds in the region.

What to bring and how to fish the structure

A small boat (14 to 18 feet) or a canoe works well in Ampersand Bay. The water is protected, and you rarely need to venture far from shore. A depth finder is helpful for locating lake trout and identifying structure, but it's not essential for smallmouth fishing along the visible rocky shore. If you don't have electronics, focus on the eastern shore and work your way along it systematically.

Bring a mix of lures: crawfish-pattern crankbaits (1/4 to 1/2 ounce), small jigs (1/8 to 1/4 ounce) with soft plastic trailers, and spoons (1/2 to 1.5 ounce) for lake trout. A few topwater lures can be productive at dawn and dusk in summer. Live shiners or crawfish are effective if you prefer live bait, and both are available at shops in Saranac Lake village.

The rocky eastern shore is the most obvious structure, but don't ignore the deeper western side. Submerged logs and rock piles hold fish year-round. If you can identify these spots on your first visit, mark them with GPS or landmarks so you can return to them in future trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Ampersand Bay in winter?

Yes, but you'll need to ice fish. The bay doesn't freeze as early or as reliably as shallower ponds, so check conditions locally before making the trip. Once the ice is solid, smallmouth and lake trout are present, though they're deeper and less active than in open-water seasons.

Do I need a boat to fish Ampersand Bay?

A boat makes it easier to cover water and reach structure, but you can fish from shore along the eastern rocky bank. Shore access is limited and somewhat difficult, so a small boat or canoe is the practical choice for most anglers.

What's the difference between fishing Ampersand Bay and the main lake?

Ampersand Bay is shallower, more protected from wind, and easier to fish with a small boat. The main lake offers more water and larger fish, but it's rougher and requires a longer paddle. The bay is a good choice when conditions are poor elsewhere or when you want a quieter, more focused fishing experience.

Are there size or catch limits for smallmouth and lake trout?

Yes. New York State sets minimum size limits and daily catch limits for both species. These can change year to year, so check the current New York State fishing guide before you fish. Limits are enforced, and violations carry fines.

What's the best lure for lake trout in Ampersand Bay?

Small spoons (1/2 to 1 ounce) are the most reliable choice, especially in spring and fall. In summer, when lake trout are deep, larger spoons (1 to 1.5 ounce) work better for vertical jigging. Live shiners are also effective if you prefer bait fishing.