Adirondack waters are an angler’s dream, from rock-studded streams tumbling by the roadside to clear, deep ponds dotting the backcountry. Here, teeming honey-holes aren’t just the stuff of legends. Trout, landlocked salmon, bass, perch, muskie, walleye: an embarrassment of riches awaits along our banks. The trick is finding hot spots—often jealously guarded secrets, even between close friends. But tramping off-trail, following a rumor of a pool of brookies so eager they’ll jump right into your creel, is half the fun.

 

If you’d rather run with the crowd, try a tournament, like the Long Lake Fish & Game Club Fishing Derby, on June 19, for small- and largemouth bass and pike. Registration begins at 6:00 a.m. at the town beach in Long Lake. For more information call (518) 624-3077 or visit www.longlake-ny.com.

 

Also on June 19, the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation (518-843-6329) sponsors a Summer Fishing Contest for bass, walleye and trout. Register at the Sport Island Pub, in Northampton, starting at 6:00 a.m.

 

Beginners can take a test drive June 26–27 during New York State Free Fishing Days, when anyone can fish in state waters without a license. Be sure to check regulations on individual ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. See www.dec.ny.gov or call (518) 897-1200 to learn more.

 

For the little ones the Indian Lake/Blue Mountain Fish & Game Association offers an under-15 Kids’ Fishing Derby on July 3. Meet up at Byron Park, in Indian Lake, beginning at 8:00 a.m. For details call (518) 648-5112 or visit www.indianlakefishandgame.com.

 

On July 18, catch and release bass, walleye and Northern pike at the Quit Wishin’ Go Fishin’ Derby. Registration opens at 5:00 a.m. at the Tupper Lake Rod, Gun & Sports Club (518-359-7005); fish on Simon Pond, Tupper Lake or Raquette Pond starting at 7:00 a.m.

 

The Raquette Lake Bass Fishing Tournament kicks off with a staggered start at 5:00 a.m. on July 24. Register in advance; two-person limit per boat. Call (518) 624-3077 or see www.longlake-ny.com for more.

 

The Schroon Lake Fish & Game Club (518-532-7572) hosts a Children’s Fishing Derby, plus casting competition, at the town dock on July 31. Youngsters 12 and under can compete, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

 

Oxbow Lake, in the towns of Lake Pleasant and Arietta, sets the scene for a Bass Fishing Tournament on August 14. Cast off at 7:00 a.m.; call (518) 548-4521 for details.

 

PADDLING

June 5: Tupper Lake Nine-Miler. Paddle the Raquette River from the Crusher, off Route 30, to Tupper Lake Rod, Gun & Sports Club, on Simon Pond. Register in advance. 10 a.m. (518) 891-2744. www.macscanoe.com

 

June 26: Old Forge Paddle Classic. Canoe and kayak races sponsored by Kiwanis of the Central Adirondacks. Register at Hemmer Cottage, in Old Forge, starting at 7:30 a.m. Races begin at the Pine Knoll Motel dock, 9 a.m. (315) 369-3872

 

July 2–4: Lake Placid International. Sprint races begin at 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; register by June 24. Distance races start at 11 a.m. on Sunday; no advance registration required. Village park, south side of Mirror Lake, Lake Placid. (518) 418-9144

 

July 31: Saranac Flatwater Challenge. Canoe and kayak races for all skill levels on the Saranac River. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Town of Saranac Recreation Center; competitions start at 11 a.m. Benefits the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Foundation. (518) 957-2996

 

August 6–8: Family Canoe Camping: Lake Lila. Includes day hikes and lessons in natural history and canoe skills. Sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club; register in advance. Meet in Tupper Lake, 9 a.m. (518) 523-3441. www.adk.org

 

August 21: Newcomb North Country Challenge. Five-mile recreational paddle and 10-mile race around Lake Harris. Sponsored by the Newcomb Chamber of Commerce. Town beach, Newcomb. Registration begins at 9 a.m.; events start at noon. (518) 582-4601. www.nymcra.org

 

September 10–12: Adirondack Canoe Classic. Ninety-mile paddle from the Old Forge lakefront to Saranac Lake. Register by July 25. 8 a.m. (518) 891-2744. www.macscanoe.com

 

BIKING

June 12: Black Fly Challenge. Forty-mile mountain-biking race to Indian Lake. Register in advance. Arrowhead Park, Inlet. 10:30 a.m. (315) 357-3281. www.blackflychallenge.com

 

August 8–13: The Grand Tour. Bike tour from Glens Falls to Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, with stops in Lake George and Ticonderoga. Register in advance. Adirondack Community College, Queensbury. 6 a.m. (800) 567-8356. www.explorebybike.com

 

August 14: Adirondack Spintacular. Bike, run or walk around Great Sacandaga Lake to benefit local students with chronic diseases. Mayfield fairgrounds. 8:30 a.m. (518) 863-8998. www.adirondackspintacular.com

 

August 15: Ididaride. Twenty- or 75-mile bike tour in the central Adirondacks. Sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club; register in advance. Starts at Ski Bowl Park, North Creek. 8:30 a.m. (800) 395-8080. www.ididaride.org

 

August 22: Way North Century. Fifty- or 100-mile loop through the northeast Adirondacks and beyond; register in advance. Plattsburgh Air Force Base Oval. 8 a.m. (518) 563-7620. www.adirondackcyclingteam.com

 

HIKING

June 5: National Trails Day Celebration. Hike, bike or horse around on Inlet’s trails. Townwide. 8:00 a.m. (315) 357-5501. www.inletny.com

 

June 25–27: Trailless Peak Backpacking: the Santanonis. Guided backcountry trek for experienced hikers. Sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club; register in advance. Meet off I-87, Exit 29. Noon. (518) 523-3441. www.adk.org

 

RUNNING

June 6: Whiteface Mountain Uphill Foot Race. Eight-mile run sponsored by Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau. Register in advance. Junction of Routes 86 and 431, Wilmington. 8 a.m. (518) 946-2255. www.whitefacerace.com

 

June 27: Adirondack Distance Run. Ten-mile race to Bolton Landing. Register in advance, online only. Lake George firehouse. 7:30 a.m. www.adirondackrunners.com

 

August 1: Lane 10K Lake Run. Race around Lake Pleasant. Registration at 9 a.m. at the Speculator pavilion; run starts 10 a.m. at the Lake Pleasant firehall. (518) 548-4521

 

August 7: Race the Train. 8.4-mile run alongside the Upper Hudson River Railroad tracks. Proceeds go to Johnsburg Dollars for Scholars. Meet at the North Creek station by 8 a.m. (518) 251-2602. www.uhrr.com

 

September 25–26: Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival. Five- and 10-kilometer races on Saturday in Chestertown, 9:30 a.m. Full and half marathons and two-person relay on Sunday in Schroon Lake. Full and relay marathons begin at 9 a.m., half marathon at 10 a.m. Register in ad­vance. (888) 724-7666. www.adirondackmarathon.org

 

TRIATHLONS

June 26: Tupper Lake Tinman Triathlon. 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. Register in advance. Start at Raquette Pond, Tupper Lake. 8 a.m. (315) 398-0989. www.tupperlakeinfo.com

 

June 26: North Country Triathlon. Sprint- and Olympic-distance races. Register in advance, online only. Town beach, Hague. 8 a.m. www.northcountrytri.com

 

July 17: Piseco Lake Triathlon. Half-mile swim, 11.5-mile bike ride, 3-mile run. Registration begins at 7 a.m., at the Piseco Airport; race starts at 9 a.m., at the Irondequoit Inn beach, in Piseco. (518) 548-4521. www.adrkmts.com

 

July 25: IronmanUSA. 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. Qualifying event for Ironman World Championship. Register in advance. Lake Placid. 6:50 a.m. (888) 280-9097. www.ironmanusa.com

 

August 22: XTERRA Triathlon. 1,500-meter swim, 25-kilometer mountain-bike ride and 10-kilometer trail run. Starts at Mirror Lake beach, Lake Placid. 8 a.m. (516) 396-6697. www.triandduit.com

 

FESTIVALS

June 11–13: Violet Festival. Music, parade and more. Main Street, Dolgeville. 9 a.m. each day; five-kilometer Run for the Violets, Sunday at 8 a.m. (315) 429-9871

 

June 25–27: Summerfest. Music, crafts and more. Shepard Park, Lake George. 9 a.m. each day. (518) 668-2688. www.visitlakegeorge.com

 

July 10: Morehouse 175th Birthday Celebration. Fishing derby, music, games and chicken barbecue. Morehouse recreation hall, Hoffmeister. 8 a.m. (518) 548-4521

 

July 10: Picnic in the Park. Cooking demonstrations, workshops, music and Teddy bears’ picnic. Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake. 10 a.m. (518) 352-7311. www.adkmuseum.org

 

July 10–11: Woodsmen’s Days. Logging demonstrations and competitions. Municipal Park, Tupper Lake. Check for times. (518) 359-9444. www.woodsmendays.com

 

July 16–17: Lake George Community Band Festival. Ten concert bands to perform, as well as ensembles. Shepard Park amphitheater, Lake George. Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. (518) 222-1302

 

July 16–18: Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend. Indoor and outdoor exhibitors, demonstrations and barbecue. Bradt Building, Northville. Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. (518) 863-8876

 

August 7: Flea Market to benefit the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation Auxiliary. Crafts, plants, baked goods and more. Ski Bowl Road, North Creek. 10 a.m. (518) 251-2447

 

August 8: Adirondack Folk Music Festival. Demonstrations and performances. Town park, Schroon Lake. Noon. (518) 532-9259. www.schroonlakearts.com

 

August 19–22: Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival. Lineup includes the James King Band, Honey Grass and Acoustic Blue. Ski Bowl Park, North Creek. Check for times. (518) 251-2240. www.upperhudsonbluegrassfestival.com

 

September 4: Local Food Festival. Farmers’ market, cooking demonstrations and music. Sponsored by the Adirondack Green Circle and Saranac Lake Village Farmers’ Market. Riverside Park, Saranac Lake. 9 a.m. (518) 891-0182. www.adkgreencircle.org

 

September 11–12: Rustic Furniture Fair. Sponsored in part by adirondack life. Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake. 10 a.m. each day. (518) 352-7311. www.adkmuseum.org

 

September 23–26: Adirondack Balloon Festival. Hundreds of hot-air balloons float over Lake George, Glens Falls and Queensbury. Check for times. (518) 668-5755. www.adirondackballoonfest.org

 

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS

June 15: Low-Maintenance Perennial Gardening. Tips from Mark Perry, of Sweet Pea Farm Perennials, in Bolton Landing. Sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Register in advance. Member Services Center, Lake George. 7 p.m. (518) 668-4447. www.adk.org

 

June 26: Adirondack Roundtable Series. Actor Chris Noth discusses “An Actor’s Life” over breakfast. Sponsored by the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities. Crowne Plaza Lake Placid Resort. 8:30 a.m. (518) 523-1312

 

July 10: Adirondack Roundtable Series. Director and producer Jim Burrows discusses “Maintaining a Private Life in Show Business” over breakfast. Sponsored by the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities. Crowne Plaza Lake Placid Resort. 8:30 a.m. (518) 523-1312

 

July 17: Adirondack Roundtable Series. Writer John Cooney discusses “News Without Newspapers” over breakfast. Sponsored by the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities. Crowne Plaza Lake Placid Resort. 8:30 a.m. (518) 523-1312

 

July 26: Water Quality in the Adirondack Park. Talk by Dan Kelting, director of the Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smith’s College. Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake. 7:30 p.m. (518) 352-7311

 

August 14: Adirondack Roundtable Series. Attorney and restoration-addict Howard Stahl discusses “Saving Historic Properties” over breakfast. Sponsored by the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities. Crowne Plaza Lake Placid Resort. 8:30 a.m. (518) 523-1312

 

August 14–15: Digital Photography/Photoshop Weekend with Carl and Greta Heilman. Register in advance. (518) 494-3072. www.carlheilman.com/photo-workshops-calendar.html

 

August 15–26: Adirondack Writing Summit for beginning and published writers, with nationally-known and Adirondack authors as well as professional writing coaches. The Woods Inn, Inlet. Check for schedule. (540) 454-4495. www.itsyourlifebethere.com/adirondack.html

 

MIXED BAG

July 1, 15, 29 and August 5, 12: Lake George Community Band Summer Concert Series. Shows followed by fireworks. Shepard Park amphitheater, Lake George. 8 p.m. (518) 222-1302

 

July 4: Ping-Pong Ball Drop. Kids up to 12 years old race for balls dropped from a seaplane. Fern Park, Inlet. (866) 464-6538. www.inletny.com

 

July 8: Summer Pops Concert & Fireworks. Glens Falls Symphony. Shepard Park, Lake George. 7:30 p.m. (518) 793-1348. www.gfso.org

 

July 8–17: Brush the Summer By. Lake Placid–based play presented by the Adirondack Theatre Festival. Charles R. Wood Theater, Glens Falls. Check for times. (518) 874-0800. www.atfestival.org

 

July 10: Antique & Classic Boat Show. Sponsored by the Adirondack Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society and the Central Adirondack Association. Old Forge lakefront. 10 a.m. (315) 369-6983

 

July 10: Runabout Rendezvous. An exhibition of wooden boats. Lake Flower, Saranac Lake. 10 a.m. (518) 891-5828. www.spencerboatworks.com

 

July 30: Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night. Rat-Pack take on the classic comedy, presented by Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts. Town beach, Cranberry Lake. 2 p.m. (877) 752-7715. Check www.adirondackarts.org for parkwide performances. 

 

Editors’ Note: Because Outside & In must be prepared so far in advance of publication, telephone numbers are included for the confirmation of dates and times of events.