Syracuse.com - CNY shoreline fishing hot spots: The three ponds at the north end of Homer (12th in a series)

[HuntingNY-News]

There's two at Durkee Park, along with Casterline Pond, just up the road

It's the kind of fishing where you can bring the kids, a lawn chair and just kick back and relax.

That's why the three ponds at the northern end of the village of Homer-- two at Durkee Park , and the third, Casterline Pond, just up the road -- are so popular. For those without a boat, the area is definitely a Central New York shoreline fishing hot spot.

"There's a lot of people who fish there, "said Jeff Lewis, village parks and recreation director, referring to the two ponds at Durkee Park.

"Different kinds of fish of all sizes have pulled out of there. It's a catch-and-release situation," he said. "I've seen lots of 10-to 12-inch bass, huge catfish and some trout."

When one drives into the park off Route 11, on the left is Briggs Pool, which at one time was the park's swimming area. It's full of panfish and some carp, Lewis said. There's a two concrete walkways connected to the sidewalk for anglers to get closer to the water, in addition to wooden fishing platform that extends out into the pond. There's also a sluice pipe that connects Briggs with the park's bigger pond.

The bigger pond is actually a wide section of the west branch of the Tioughnioga River and contains a greater selection of fish. That area is rimmed with brushes and mowed grassy areas that make it convenient to set a lawn chair and fish.

There's all sorts of fish in Casterline Pond.Stephen D. Cannerelli [email protected] 

Many rent out the park's pavilion for picnics, graduation parties and other get-togethers, Lewis said. It's not uncommon for fishing to be part of the activities. Some bring small car-top boats or kayaks to get out on the water.

"We just don't allow any motors of any kind," Lewis said.

Just north of Durkee Park, on the east side of Route 11, is Casterline Pond, in addition to bass and panfish, the state Department of Environmental Conservation stocks it with brown and rainbow trout each year.

The 11-acre pond, with a maximum depth of 25 feet, features a parking lot that can accommodate up to 15 vehicles and a wooden fishing ramp that provides easy access to the waterway.

To the left of the fishing ramp is a kiosk (an Eagle Scout project) that notes all the different kinds of fish in the pond.

According to the DEC website: "The main game fish found in the pond are brown and rainbow trout, but largemouth bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish can also be caught.

"Most anglers target trout in spring, shortly after they are stocked, or during the winter months through the ice," the website said.

SUGGESTIONS NEEDED:

I've profiled 12 CNY shoreline hot spots since beginning this series last summer. Have a suggestion for a location I should visit and write about? Send your ideas to me at [email protected]

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog