The above photos are of Rich Tehan from Marcy, NY. The photo on the left is a very nice largemouth bass caught from Otisco Lake. It was caught in the middle June 2008 on a watermelon colored Berkley Powerbait in about 3 feet of water. The photo on the right is a big Smallmouth Bass that was caught in early August 2008 on Delta Reservoir, Rome, NY. It was caught on a Texas rigged watermelon YUM Dinger in 25 feet of water

Otisco Lake is the eastern most lake of the Finger Lakes chain but is considered a minor Finger Lake. The lake is 6 miles long and has a maximum depth of almost 70 feet. Nine Mile Creek is the main outlet. Otisco Lake supports the following species of fish, brown trout, walleye, tiger muskies, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegills, rock bass and brown bullhead.

  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.

  The state wide size limit on bass is 12 inches in length and a daily creel limit of 5. Open season on bass is the 3rd Saturday in June through November 30th.The state record largemouth bass was caught by John L. Higbie he was using a spinnerbait fishing in Buckhorn Lake on 09/11/87. This majestic fish weighed an amazing 11 lb. 04oz. The state record smallmouth bass was caught by Andrew C. Kartesz on Jig and Grub Tail from Lake Erie on 06/04/95. This incredible fish weighed 8 lb. 4oz.

  Smallmouth bass prefer deeper and colder water than largemouth bass which enables both species to coexist in the same environment without competing directly against each other. In rivers they prefer the faster moving water and will be found around large boulder or bridge abutments. Largemouth on the other hand prefer shallower and more turbid water and are often found in weedbeds and around fallen timber in the slower moving stretches of rivers.

  Both species will feed on minnows, crayfish, insects, worms, snails, frogs, or most anything that they can catch and swallow. This is one reason so many fisherman love bass fishing, because they are fairly easy to catch and will hit most any lure that invades their space.

  Tackle for bass fishing is as simple as you want it to be, or can be as complex as you want with many tournament fisherman having 5 or 6 rods all rigged with different lines and lures for certain fishing conditions. Most any medium action rod 6 foot in length and spooled with 10 or 12 pound test line would be sufficient for most fishing conditions.

  Lake Ontario and Lake Erie offer some of the states most fantastic smallmouth bass fishing. The bays along Lake Ontario also offer some great largemouth fishing, but the best largemouth bass fishing is in the Finger Lakes with Cayuga, Keuka, and Seneca Lake being the number one choices. Lake Champlain, Black Lake, Chautauqua Lake, and many of the reservoirs outside oy New York City offers some trophy bass fishing as well.

   The following links break down the best fishing options according to the month of the year. Certain times of the year present excellent fishing opportunities for differnt species and can help make the best of your limited free time.