Paddling and spring fishing has begun in the Lake Placid region. The ice-out on Mirror Lake in the village of Lake Placid occurred faster in 2012 than it has in 66 years to conclude what was an unseasonably warm winter in the Northeast. Although ice melted as early as March 23, the true beginning of the spring fishing began April 1, as trout fishing season officially opened statewide.

Opportunities for Lake Placid fishing abound, as the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and County Federated Sportsmen begin spring trout stocking in area waterways. There are several lakes, ponds, brooks and rivers open for fishing in Lake Placid and the surrounding area that are currently open for anglers. This time-honored Adirondack tradition is an excellent option for a Lake Placid family vacation, and children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license in New York. The West Branch of the Ausable River between Lake Placid and Wilmington provides one of the most popular fly fishing destinations in the Northeast, and hosts the 13th-Annual Ausable River Two-Fly Challenge on May 18.

Canoes and kayaks have been taking to area waterways, as Lake Placid paddling season approaches. The 2012 paddling and fishing seasons started early in the Adirondacks. This year, area ski and snow sports were cut short due to warmer temperatures in March. With the melting of ice and snow from the Adirondack Mountains, the Hudson River grows faster and higher for Adirondack whitewater rafting.