NY Fisherman

fishing Lake Ontario fishing may result with an encounter of the following species, brown trout, coho salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, king salmon, atlantic salmon, walleye, bass, and perch
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NY Fishing Articles


January Fishing In NY State

 At this time of year most of the lakes and streams are frozen over so ice fishing is the main activity. The sport of ice fishing has benefited greatly from technology. Now there are gas powered ice augers, and fish finders which will work through the ice, and underwater camera systems you can use to watch your bait as you fish. Also improved is the clothing. Its warmer and lighter so you can move about more freely. Re-discover ice fishing this winter! You will be pleasently surprised! Full Story


January Fishing In NY State


February Fishing In NY State

 February offers a few warmer days and some early spring thawing which can raise stream levels overnight. This can create fantastic fishing in smaller streams which have had low water flows all winter. These would be Maxwell Creek, Irondequoit Creek, Marsh Creek, Johnsons Creek, Putneyville Creek, Bear Creek, Sterling Creek, and Wolcott Creek, as well as many smaller streams which don't have names or are not very well known. The larger streams will also receive additional runs of spawning fish as well. Full Story

February Fishing In NY State


March Fishing In NY State

  March brings the first hints of spring. At this time of year a lot of things will start happening. Trout will begin the spring runs from Lake Ontario, and the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes streams are closed till April first. The Smelt will also begin to make their way up smaller streams as well. Following closely behind the smelt and trout will be the spring suckers. Fat and fiesty they offer an easy and fun day of angling. As soon as the ice is off the spring bullheads will also become active this can also be some fantastic fishing as they feed ravenously during the early spring months. Full Story

March Fishing In NY State


April Fishing In NY State

  Spring brings such a multitude of fishing opportunities that no one can take advantage of them all. April first is opening day for trout fisherman in the Finger Lakes tributaries. Catherine Creek which runs into Seneca Lake being the most famous, but any tributary to any of the larger Finger Lakes is likely to host a run of spawning rainbows. Lake fishing gets back in gear with many people running planner boards along the shore line of Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes looking for hungry trout and salmon. Many smaller streams, lake and ponds are stocked with trout by the state and are eagerly awaited by local fisherman. Some of these would be Sing Sing Creek, Cayuta Creek, Newton Creek, Cohocton River, Eldrige Lake and Park Station. The list of all state stocked waters is to big to list Full Story

April Fishing In NY State


May Fishing In NY State

 May fishing is really excellent almost all species of fish are active and biting somewhere. All of the Finger Lakes offer fantastic spring fishing. One of my favorite spots in May is the north end of Cayuga Lake for perch, crappie, bluegills, bass, and pickerel all can be caught in the same water, and on the same type baits. We use 4 or 6 pound test line on ultra light out fits and use small jigs 1/32 ounce. Black Mr Twister in the 1 & 1/2 or 2 inch size are my favorite. Small spinners and spoons will also work well. The best bait of all is a nice perch minnow set down about 3 feet deep just above the weed line. Big slab crappies can't resist them. You can catch fish almost any where it just depend on what you want to fish for. Full Story

May Fishing In NY State


June Fishing In NY State

  Lake Erie, Lake Onatrio, and the Niagara River have had exceptional bass fishing the the last few years with some of the heaviest fish ever. I would predict that the new NY State record smallmouth bass will be caught from this region sometime in the very near future. If you want to be famous book a smallmouth trip with a good guide and take a shot at 15 minutes of fame. One thing is for sure you will have a fantastic time and most likely catch the biggest bass of your life. Full Story

June Fishing In NY


July Fishing In NY State

  The hot spot now is the Lake Ontario trout and salmon fishing. Trolling for these fish is a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or evening. The cool depths of Lake Ontario offer a comfortable temperature. and food supply to these fish.They may be any where between 40 and 100 feet deep so a good fish finder and temperature probe is a must. It is also a good idea to monitor the local fisherman on the cb and listen to what they are using how deep they are fishing , and how fast they are trolling. Full Story

July Fishing In NY State


August Fishing In NY State

  Fishing state wide is excellent all month. Fresh and saltwater fishing is at its peak. One would be hard pressed to pick a favorite spot in August. Just get out and enjoy the rest of the summer. In New York's coastal waters anglers will be targeting Striped Bass, Bluefish, Shark, Marlin, and Tuna. Fishing for these species is in full swing now, and is a certain possibility for a great outing. Don't pass up a nice diversion from your local waters. Full Story

August Fishing In NY State


September Fishing In NY State

 As the summer starts to fade away the shorter days and cooler water temperatures start to trigger the annual fall salmon run in the Lake Ontario tributaries. The most famous being the Salmon River. The lower stretch of the Salmon River is called the Douglaston Salmon Run. Located in the estuary where the river meets the lake this can be the only salmon fishing during the first week or two of September. If the water level is high enough these fish will migrate up stream to the Altmar fish hatchery. Eventually they become spread out the entire lenght of the stream. Brown trout and steelhead will also enter the river toward the end of the month. Every now and then a few Atlantic Salmon are also taken as well. The river is known world wide and you may meet people from any where in the world here. The Salmon River has many Fishing Guides that are available for those who would like hire one. When the water levels permit drift boat fishing is a very productive method to catch trout and salmon. Full Story



September Fishing In NY State


October Fishing In NY State

  The lake fishing has slowed down considerably, and the often unpredictable fall weather keeps most fisherman off of Lake Ontario. Fishing for bass, walleyes, pike, and panfish remain excellent in the bays of Lake Ontario. However many fisherman are still in pursuit of trout and salmon in the larger Finger Lakes. They will be trolling for these fish along the mouths of streams which enter the lakes. This is a productive method, because these fish will be collecting up in these locations waiting on the stream levels to rise enough to enter. The streams entering the finger lakes are a lot smaller than those of Lake Ontario so the window of opportunity for these fish to make a stream run is smaller. It is more or less regulated by the rainfall which is generaly not sufficient for spawning runs till late October or early November. Full Story

October Fishing In NY State


November Fishing In NY State

 Winter's grip starts to be felt across the land. Most sportsmen are deer hunting and boat fisherman are few and far between now.The fishing is mostly from shore, lake piers or is tributary fishing. Trout would be the target of most who dare to venture out in the frigid fall weather. The brown trout are in full force in the Lake Ontario tribs with steelhead following closely behind. Oak Orchard, Salmon River, Oswego River, Niagara River, and the Genesse River would be the biggest and best bets this time of year. However many smaller streams such as Johnson Creek, Marsh Creek, and Maxwell Creek, will have fantastic fishing for brown trout and steelhead providing the water flow is sufficient. Methods of catching these fall fish include drifting egg sacs or small flies through the deeper pools. Some fish are caught on spoons spinners and jigs as well. Full Story

November Fishing In NY State


December Fishing In NY State

 Weather is now the main factor which controls the fishing options open to New York anglers. If snow hasn't covered most of the stream banks too deeply there are still lots of fish in the tributaries. This time of year the lake effects snow squalls can dump tremendous amounts of snow in a short period. If you are going to be traveling at this time of year keep lots of warm clothes in your car a blanket, and some bottled water in case you get stranded for a time. It would be a good idea to have a cell phone, credit card, some extra cash and a full tank of gas as well. You can never be over prepared in case of an emergency. Full Story

December Fishing In NY State



Drift Boat Fishing on the Salmon River

 There is more to drift boat fishing than one would imagine. The flow of the water the water temperature and coloration are all factors that must be considered. The lures would be tuned and each lure would receive a hook sharpening to make sure they were razor sharp. Once all the rods were ready we would let the lines out in front of the drift boat and inch down the stream presenting our offerings. Full Story

Drift Boat Fishing on the Salmon River

Trophy Musky Fishing

 Two separate strains of muskellunge can be found in New York States waters. The St. Lawrence strain is found in the St. Lawrence River and it's tributaries. They may also be found in Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. The Ohio strain occurs in Chautauqua Lake and the Allegheny River. The New York State record was of the St. Lawrence strain and it weighed in at an incredible 69 pound 15 ounces. This fantastic specimen was caught from the St. Lawrence River by Arthur Lawton in 1957. Full Story

Trophy Musky Fishing

Lake Erie's Trophy Walleye Fishing

 Walleyes will range in size from 16 to 24 inches on average however the eastern basin of Lake Erie is famous for trophy-size walleye which can be up to 8 to 12 pounds in size. These big walleye are mostly available to offshore trollers during the months of July and August. Full Story

Lake Erie's Trophy Walleye Fishing

Niagara River Steelhead Fishing

 The Niagara River is one of the premier fishing destinations for anglers looking to catch a trophy Steelhead. The Niagara River will hold Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Coho Salmon, and King Salmon all winter. In some years the trout are still here in the month of May before heading back to Lake Ontario. Full Story

Niagara River Steelhead Fishing

Charter Boat Fishing On Lake Ontario

 Lake Ontario has many Charter Boats available to let you enjoy a wonderful day of fishing on Lake Ontario. Most charters target trout and salmon. Some charters also fish for smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and muskellunge. Charters range in price and duration most offer half and full days fishing with prices ranging from $300 to $600 depending on the species you are fishing for and the number of passengers that will be onboard Full Story

Charter Boat Fishing On Lake Ontario

Fishing on the Niagara River

  The lower section supports a fantastic fishery for steelhead, brown trout, lake trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon, bass, walleye, muskellunge, and perch. Most of the fish in the lower section of the river are from Lake Ontario, but find the waters of the Niagara River to be excellent habitat. These fish are able to go upstream as far as the falls. The Niagara River gorge is very steep and most fishing in this section of the river is by boat. Full Story

Fishing on the Niagara River

Jigging for Lake Trout

 Jigging for lakers is becoming a very popular method in the Finger Lakes Region. Some of the reasons for this are the excessive weeds the the spiny fleas and the cost of gas. These factors have all made jigging a popular method to catch lake trout in the Finger Lakes. Fisherman are quick to adapt and incorporate new methods and technology that make our sport more fun and productive. Full Story

Jigging for Lake Trout

Fishing Montauk NY

 Montauk is located at the far eastern end of Long Island. It is about 125 miles east of New York City. Montauk is New York State’s largest commercial fishing port. This region is known as one of the sport fishing capitals of the world. It is home to over 25 current world records. Full Story

Fishing Montauk NY

Fishing The Oswego River

 Fishing on the Oswego River is great all year. The summer months provide fantastic bass and walleye fishing. The fall provides excellent trout and salmon fishing. During the winter months the steelhead reigns king. Spring fishing is also awesome as well. Spring time anglers on the river may encounter any and all species of fish that exist in the Lake Ontario waters. Full Story

Fishing The Oswego River

Yellow Perch Fishing In NY

 Yellow Perch are found in most all of New York's lakes and rivers. In recent years the perch populations have seen radical changes. In some waters they have become scarce and others they are thriving. This is caused by a wide variety of factors including drought, acid rains, and introduction of exotic species. Perch are a highly sought after game fish in early spring and are the bread and butter for ice fisherman. Perch average about 6 to 14 inches in length with most being in the 10 inch range Full Story

Yellow Perch Fishing In NY

Fishing In Jamaica Bay NY

 Jamaica Bay is a large body of water and salt marsh area covering 26 miles on the south shore of Long Island. Jamaica Bay ranges in depth from 3 to 12 feet, but has been dredged for navigation and can be up to 50 feet deep in spots, but on average depth is less than 10 feet deep. Due to the shallow nature of the bay it warms very quickly in the spring and is a magnet to all species of fish and birds alike. Some of the fish you may encounter on a trip to the bay include Flounder, Fluke, Stripers, Weakfish, Bluefish, Bonito, Spanish Mackerel, Tautog, Seabass, False Albacore and Skipjack Tuna. Full Story

Fishing In Jamaica Bay NY

Lake Trout Fishing In NY

 The Lake Trout is a member of the Char family of fish. Lake Trout are a native species of trout in NY waters. They can be found in the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Adirondacks Lakes. These fish prefer deep colder water and can live upwards to 30 or 40 years in age. These fish can attain weights of up to 50 pounds. The NY state record Lake Trout was broken by Jesse Wykstra in August 2003 when he landed a 41 pound 8 oz Lake Trout from Lake Erie. Full Story

Lake Trout Fishing In NY

Brown Trout Fishing In NY

 The Brown Trout is not a native species to NY waters. The Brown Trout were introduced to NY waters from Europe. They are able to survive and flourish in warmer waters that other trout species will not tolerate. This is one reason for its growing popularity among the anglers of NY. The Brown Trout can thrive in streams or lakes. They can with stand heavy fishing pressure better than the native trout species. The main reason for this is that Brown Trout are more active at night and can be hard to catch in the daytime. The biggest Brown Trout are caught after dark, or early in the morning especially during the summer months Full Story

Brown Trout Fishing In NY

Carp Fishing In NY

  Carp are not a native species to NY waters. They were introduced into New York State waters in 1831 from Asia. They are now found in most all of the states lakes and rivers. The carp inhabiting NY's waters can grow very large and some specimens may reach a weight of over 50 pounds. The New York State record Carp weighed an amazing 50 lb. 4 oz. It was caught by Charles Primeau, Sr. while fishing in the Tomhannock Reservoir on 05/12/95. He was using a Night Crawler for bait Full Story

Carp Fishing In NY

Bass Fishing In NY

 The two primary species of bass inhabiting N.Y. State waters are smallmouth and largemouth bass. Both species may be found in most all of the states lakes and rivers. The average bass caught is between 1 and 5 pounds, but there are many fish taken every year over 5 pounds. Bass fisherman by majority are a catch and release group so that affords this species a bit more protection than they would other wise receive Full Story

Bass Fishing In NY

Fishing on The Chemung River

 The Chemung River offers the following recreational activities fishing, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, swimming, and hiking. In the last few years there has been a lot of interest in the river with the addition of many new boat launches and access points. This region has finally realized what a great asset the river can be. The Chemung River is a warm water habitat, but has many small feeder streams that are stocked or support native populations of trout. When fishing on the Chemung River some of the fish species you may encounter include Full Story

Fishing on The Chemung River

Salmon Fishing on Sandy Creek

 Sandy Creek is a lesser know Lake Ontario tributary located west of Rochester and should not to be confused with the Little Sandy, the North Sandy, and the South Sandy which are located on the eastern end of Lake Ontario north of Pulaski. Sandy Creek provides wonderful fall fishing for Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, and steelhead. Full Story

Salmon Fishing on Sandy Creek

Honeoye Lake Walleye Fishing

 Honeoye Lake is 4.5 miles in length and has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake is just over 3/4 of a mile wide. Honeoye Lake is a warmwater fishery with the primay species of fish being walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, rock bass, and black crappie. Walleye are the only species stocked into the lake by the DEC with over 8 million walleye fry stocked here annually. Full Story

Honeoye Lake Walleye Fishing

Maxwell Creek Fishing

 Maxwell Creek is located a couple miles west of Sodus Point NY. It is a small stream and not nearly as famous as the other tributaries of Lake Ontario. However the fish which swim in its water are just as big and fun to catch. Maxwell Creek has just under 2 miles of fishable waters and is divided into two sections the upper and lower. Full Story

Maxwell Creek Fishing

Fishing Lamoka And Waneta Lakes

 Waneta and Lamoka Lakes are located between Keuka and Seneca Lakes. Both lakes were formed by the same glaciers that formed the Finger Lakes, but on a much smaller scale. Sometimes know as the minor or baby Finger Lakes, they are not deep enough to support a trout fishery, but are a fantastic warm water habitat. Both lakes are linked by a canal that is right on County Route 23. The DEC has a launch for each lake one on each side of the road. These two lakes are very popular with bass fisherman and can be very crowded on the weekends. Full Story

Fishing Lamoka And Waneta Lakes

The Orleans County Fishing Derby

 The Orleans County Fishing Derby is a yearly event. It runs every year in mid August just prior to the Fall LOC Derby and in fact they overlap by a couple of days. The Grand Prize of $3,000 is for the largest trout or salmon caught during the derby. There are also 5 spots for each division Salmon, Rainbow, Lake Trout, and Brown Trout. Full Story

The Orleans County Fishing Derby

Salmon River Fishing

 The Salmon River can be fished by anglers from shore, by wading, or by driftboat. If wading the river be sure to use corkers these are metal cleats that attach to your boots. The rocks on the bottom of the river at flat and very slippery. Water levels are prone to rise quickly since its waters are used to generate hydro electricity. Be prepared to exit the river if water rises quickly Full Story

Salmon River Fishing

Chinook Salmon Fishing In NY

 Chinook Salmon are commonly called Kings. They are not a native species to NY waters. Most all King Salmon caught in NY are from the waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.The King Salmon in Lake Ontario are raised at the Salmon River Hatchery, located in the Village of Altmar in Oswego County. It is here that the DEC will collect the eggs of the migrating Chinook Salmon. The Salmon River Hatchery produces about four million trout and salmon each year Full Story

Chinook Salmon Fishing In NY

Fishing Silvermine Lake

  Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange counties, is the second-largest park in the ny parks system.There are 0ver 30 lakes and ponds in Harriman Chain of lakes. Some of the most popular ones are ones are Lake Sebago, Lake Silvermine, Lake Stahahe, Lake Tiorati, Lake Welch, Island Pond, Kanawauke, and Pine Meadow Lake. Fish species found in this chain of lakes include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, crappies, rock bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed Full Story

Fishing Silvermine Lake

Catch A State Record Fish

 How would you like to catch a state record fish? Well it is very possible. Here are the species and records that have the best chances of being broken by NY anglers in the during this fishing season. Full Story

Catch A State Record Fish

Crappie Fishing In NY

 Two species of crappies can be found in New York's lakes and rivers. White and Black Crappies both can be taken by New York anglers. Crappies will average 6 to 14 inches in length. Some lakes and rivers often produce better fishing than others. This is due to the fact that Crappies are prone to large swings in population. Full Story

Crappie Fishing In NY


NY Fishing Charters, NY Fishing Guides
Fishing Charters And Guides




Salmon fishing on lake Ontario Carp fishing on Mohawk River
Salmon River Fishing Guides
Largemouth Bass Fishing Pike and Muskellunge Fishing In NY
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