Sears Pond State Forest
State Reforestation Areas Lewis #11, #17 and #27
This 5,648-acre state forest is named for a former large sawmill impoundment on the East Branch of the Deer River. The wooden dam that held back millions of gallons of water has long since disappeared, leaving only remnants of a once locally important dam structure and water body. Sections of both the Deer River and the Mad River arise from the rolling expanse of this forest. Trees on much of this forest mimic the poor soils supporting them. With the exception of some old fields that were planted to softwoods, the remainder of the area is fairly equally split between natural hardwoods, brush land, and ecologically important wetlands.
Brook trout fishermen rate the quality of these rivers and their tributaries as excellent. Besides fishing, other recreational activities include white-tailed deer and snowshoe hare hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and woodland hiking and biking.
Access to the area is provided by various maintained town roads as well as the Horace Forward Forest Access Road(1.4 miles).
Directions
From Lowville, take State Route 12 north 2.8 miles to Route 177. Then take State Route 177 for 7 miles to Bellwood. Turn left on Sears Pond Road. Go 6.1 miles to Salmon River Road turn left and proceed 2 miles.
