Canada Lake, in Caroga Township, lies between Northville to the northeast and Dolgeville in the southwest along Route 10 between route 29A and 112. To reach the ramp on West Lake, proceed on Route 112. At the stop sign, turn right on Route 29A and 10. The road for West Lake is 3.3 miles on the left.

OTSEGO LAKE
Landlocked salmon, lake trout and brown trout are the featured species in 4,200-acre Otsego Lake. History and literature students may recognize Otsego Lake's alter ego, the Glimmerglass Lake of James Fennimore Cooper's Leatherstocking tales. In addition to the lake, the big attraction in the area is Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Otsego Lake is approximately eight miles long. Its main facilities are at the northern and southern points, including a substantial state park in the north -- appropriately named Glimmerglass State Park. The widest part of the lake is the northern end, up by the park.

Each year in spring, about 4,500 brown trout between 8 and 9 inches long are stocked. Two years ago, some 5,000 lake trout were stocked as well as 4,200 landlocked salmon. That same year, 24,000 3-inch brown trout were planted in the lake. These fish have been growing on the lake's rich forage base, which is more varied than in most of the impoundments in the southern part of the state. In addition to alewives, this natural lake also contains smelts.

The upper end of Otsego Lake is where you'll find the most shallow water. Throughout the center of the lake, the shoreline drop-offs are fast and substantial. For additional shallower water, the southern end of the lake, at Coopertown, is a good bet.

Size limits on lake trout are above average for all Otsego's trout. Under proposed 2006 regulations, a laker must be 23 inches to creel (up from 21 inches). In addition, a landlocked salmon must be 18 inches, and all other trout must be 18 inches to be removed. The creel limit for Otsego Lake will be reduced from two trout to just one. \

Public boat launch facilities are available at Glimmerglass State Park. To reach the park, take the Thruway to Exit 25A off Interstate Route 88. Proceed one exit on I-88 to the Duanesburg-Cooperstown exit. Take Route 20 west to East Springfield, and then county Route 31 to the park entrance.

For more information on the park, call (607) 547-8662. From Cooperstown, Route 80 parallels the west side of the lake.

ASHOKAN RESERVOIR
The largest trout lake in the southeast corner of the state is Ashokan Reservoir in Ulster County. At 8,315, Ashokan Reservoir consists of two impoundments. The lake is divided by a dam, which locals call a "weir." It's no low-to-the-water buoy line, but a major structure that separates the lake into eastern and western basins and also offers a panoramic view of the southeastern Catskills.