Good Luck Lake

Good Luck Lake

Follow this short, gentle path through the forest to a remote lake with views of distant rolling hills. This trail makes for an incredible hike, snowshoe, or ski making it perfect for an easy outing no matter the season.

Getting there

From the intersection of Route 8 and Route 10 in Piseco, follow Route 10 toward Pine Lake. Continue for a bit under 12 miles to the trailhead on the right, parking is on the left.

Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing

This trail is short and sweet and makes for a nice afternoon walk back to an attractive lake. The trail is very gentle and only gains about 30 feet from the road, so it makes for an excellent place to take a nice picnic hike with the family. This trail would be a great outing for any season. Strap on snowshoes or cross country skis to experience the trail in the winter. 

  • Elevation gain: 30 feet
  • Elevation: 1,647 feet
  • Round trip distance: 0.8 mile

A great hike for kids; most hikers can complete this trek in less than 1 hour.

Paddling

Once on the water you will paddle upstream under Route 10. Continue upstream in the gentle waters and you will come out onto Good Luck Lake. The lake has nice rocky outcroppings and massive wetland areas on either side that are all worth exploring.

You have one other option to reach the lake, but that requires a 0.4-mile portage along the foot trail to the shore of the lake, which is about a quarter of a mile further north on Route 10.

  • Type of launch: dirt and grass
  • Type of carry: less than 100 feet
  • Type of water: this is a very shallow lake and even on nasty days it doesn’t seem to get much wave activity.

Fishing

Shoreline fishing will require an easy 0.4 mile hike along a foot trail. Good Luck is a great shore fishing lake, but the area near the end of the trail can be a bit busy in the hot summer months.

This lake is an honorable mention as it can be fun to fish with the kids. There are no big fish to be caught here but there are plenty of panfish and perch to be had, and what kid doesn’t like catching a perch?

  • Fish species: panfish, perch, pickerel
  • Special regulations: always follow New York state fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office.

Ice Fishing

The species of chain pickerel, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed are available for ice fishing.

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