Birds and fish attract many of the visitors to Putts Creek.

Getting there

By car, take State Route 9N/22 to Lake Road, approximately 0.5 miles north of the 4-way stop near Ticonderoga. Turn east onto Lake Road-turn right if coming from south or turn left if coming from the north. Take Lake Road east 0.5 mile to Wolcott Road. Turn right onto Wolcott Road. Take Wolcott Road east approximately 0.3 miles and turn right onto a short gravel road that leads to a 5 car parking area located just west of the railroad crossing. Look for the large DEC sign marking the entrance of this road. Look for two yellow-painted iron pipes to find the 30 foot right of way leading inside.

Beginning at Penfield Pond in the hamlet of Ironville within the Town of Crown Point, Putts Creek empties into Lake Champlain just north of Monitor Bay at the NYSDEC Putts Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Fishing

This stream boasts great rainbow, brook, and brown trout.

The Essex County Fish Hatchery is located on its banks along County Route 2. Find fishing access sites along NYS Rt 9N & 22, and Creek Road/Essex County Route 2 within the Town of Crown Point.

Birding

Putts Creek Wildlife Management Area is part of the Lake Champlain Marshes Bird Conservation Area.

Species of interest include: American Bittern (special concern), Least Bittern (threatened), Osprey (special concern), Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Black Tern (endangered), Northern Harrier (threatened), Pied-billed Grebe (threatened), Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, Cliff Swallow, Wilson's Snipe, Marsh Wren, Virginia Rail, Common Goldeneye, Black-crowned Night Heron, Winter Wren, Northern Waterthrush, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Warbling Vireo.