Chubb River

  • Averyville Road, Lake Placid

Fish Species

Brook Trout, Brown Trout

A river runs through the heart of Lake Placid, from the side of Street and Nye mountains down along Route 73 to its confluence with the Ausable River near the ski jumps. Paddle is through mostly wilderness. 

Getting there

From the intersection of state Route 73 and 86 in Lake Placid, follow Route 73 toward Keene. Continue to the bottom on the hill and take a right onto Station Street. Follow it to the end and cross Old Military Road onto Averyville Road. Follow Averyville Road for 1.2 miles to the parking for the Northville-Placid trail on the left. Just over the bridge and passed the NPT parking, continue on Averyville Road to an unmarked pull-off on the right

Paddling

Put-in for canoe or kayak only, via a 0.1 mile carry trail to the shore. The carry is narrow and slightly downhill. In periods of high water, the put-in can be tricky, but not terribly difficult. Paddlers can travel 4.5-5 miles upstream before the river becomes impassable. Turning around and returning to the put-in is all downstream, though! 

Fishing

In some areas the river is too narrow to fish easily from a boat, but downstream the wider parts of the river make it a bit easier.

The Chubb River, like many of the smaller streams in the Lake Placid region, can fly under the radar in plain sight. Winding its way through Lake Placid, widening in several spots, anglers have a chance at not only trout, but bass in the more pond-like areas. Beginning south of town, high in the peaks, you’re likely to first encounter it at the Averyville Road Bridge near the Northville-Placid trailhead.

You’ll find brook trout here in the upper reaches. Below the bridge, it widens into Upper Mill Pond, which holds trout and bass. You can follow the Chubb as it winds through town to where it meets the Ausable River off River Road. The state stocks yearling brook and brown trout in the Chubb, while Essex County contributes another 400 brookies.

Shoreline fishing is best from the Northville-Placid trailhead. From here you can access both sides of Averyville Road and work yourself up and downstream fairly easily. Look for deeper water or areas near beaver dams for trout pools. Fly fishing is best in the river, but not the only option. 

Insider tips: Downstream from the parking area, back toward Station Street, tends to hold the larger fish. Paddling upstream gets you to some interesting areas, but there are more beaver dams to contend with. 

Fish species: Brown trout, brook trout

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.

Birding

The Chubb River is a fantastic place for boreal birding! From your canoe, you'll likely hear Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, a variety of warblers, and much more.