Fishing Pier

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Overview

In June 1995 the Ballston Lake Fishing Access Site, located on Outlet Road and locally referred to as the Fishing Pier, was completed and opened to the public. It was a welcome addition to Ballston Lake and has been enjoyed by the community ever since. In October 2019, it was designated as the Peter G. Herman Ballston Lake Fishing Access Site, in honor of Dr. Peter Herman, for his decades of stewardship and leadership as President of the Ballston Lake Improvement Association (BLIA). 

In February 2022 the fishing pier was deemed unsafe due to decay and winter ice damage and was closed. It was redesigned and replaced, and reopened in May 2023. Compared to the old pier, the new one is wider, ADA accessible, and has two bays for launching kayaks or canoes. The pier's floating system will prevent future ice damage. 

Use of the fishing pier is free.

Fish Species

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) states that Ballston Lake offers excellent warm water fishing* as overall temperatures are too warm for cold-water fish to survive. DEC lists the following species as available in Ballston Lake:

  • Largemouth bass
  • Smallmouth bass 
  • Yellow perch
  • Brown Bullhead
  • Northern Pike
  • Bluegill
  • Carp
  • Redfin pickerel
  • Black crappie
  • Longear sunfish
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Rock bass
  • Walleye

*Please note that Statewide Fishing Regulations apply and New York State fishing licenses are required by for everyone age 16 and older.

Directions

If traveling south on Route 50 from the Village of Ballston Spa, when you reach the traffic light where Charlton Road is on your right and Outlet Road is on your left, turn left onto Outlet Road. Go over the railroad tracks and continue down Outlet Road to the parking lot on the left. From the parking lot there is a path to a crosswalk across Outlet Road to the fishing pier.

If traveling north on Route 50 from Burnt Hills, when you reach the traffic light where Charlton Road is on your left and Outlet Road is on your right, turn right onto Outlet Road. Go over the railroad tracks and continue down Outlet Road to the parking lot on the left. From the parking lot there is a path to a crosswalk across Outlet Road to the fishing pier.

If traveling on Lake Road, turn onto Outlet Road. Cross the bridge and continue; you will see the fishing pier on the left and the parking lot a short distance farther on the right. From the parking lot there is a path to a crosswalk across Outlet Road to the fishing pier.