Pictured here is Pat Osterwald who was fishing a section of the Chenango River in late May of 2011. Pat caught several nice Pike and took a photo of the days biggest one. He was using a 7 weight Fly Rod with his own custom fly. This incredible Pike was photographed and released unharmed.

  Northern pike are a native fish to the waters of New York. They can be found state wide in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. In fact the northern pike is one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world. Other member of the northern pike family found in NY waters include the following species Redfin Pickerel, Chain Pickerel, Grass Pickerel, Muskellunge, and Tiger Muskellunge.

  The Chenango River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, and is roughly 90 miles long, The Tioughnioga River is a major tributary which combines with the Chenango River at Chenango Forks. Although the Chenango River starts as a small stream in southern Madison County, as it nears the Chenango County line near Sherburne it becomes a river and is primarily a warmwater fishery. Smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike replace trout as the main species.

  From Chenango Bridge downstream muskellunge can be found along with the following species Yellow perch, sunfish, brown bullhead, common carp and channel catfish can also be found in the lower river. Smallmouth bass are abundant through out the entire river.

  The Chenango River joins the Susquehanna from the north in downtown Binghamton. In the 19th century the river furnished a critical link in the canal system of the northeastern United States. The Chenango Canal connected the Erie Canal in the north to the Susquehanna River.

   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.