Shawn Fountain from Glenville NY was fishing on Collins Lake on 3/7/12 When he caught this fantastic Northern Pike that weighed 22 pounds. The lure of choice was one of his favorite spinnerbaits. Shawn is a man on a mission he is lookin to beat the NY State Record Northern Pike that was caught from the Great Sacandaga Lake on September 15, 1940 by Peter Dubuc. This fantastic fish weighed in at 46 pounds and 2 ounces. Shawn is a great fisherman and just might be the one to set the new record.

   Collins Lake is a small oval-shaped lake, located on the floodplain of the Mohawk River in the Village of Scotia, New York. It covers an area roughly 56 acres is size with a maximum depth of 30 feet with an average depth around 10 feet. The following species of fish may be caught by anglers Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead and Northern Pike

 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.

 Some of the top Northern Pike waters in NY include lakes such as Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake George, Great Sacandaga Lake, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Schroon Lake, Saratoga Lake, Round Lake, St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Seneca River, Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, Keuka Lake, and Conesus Lake. The NY State Record Northern Pike was caught from the Great Sacandaga Lake on September 15, 1940 by Peter Dubuc. This fantastic fish weighed in at 46 pounds and 2 ounces.

 Hot Spots for Tiger Muskies in NY include Chenango River, Susquehanna River, Chemung River, Mohawk River, Tioughnioga River, New Croton Reservoir, Rockland Lake, Conesus Lake, Otisco Lake, Cossayuna Lake, Lake Durant, Lake Lauderdale, Lincoln Pond, Round Lake, and Canadarago Lake. The NY State Record Tiger Muskellunge was caught from the Tioughnioga River on May 25, 1990 by Brett A. Gofgosky. This amazing fish weighed in at 35 pounds 8 ounces.

 The best Muskellunge waters in NY include Chautauqua Lake, St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lamoka Lake, Waneta Lake, Chemung River, Susquehanna River, Alleghany River, Geneese River. The NY State Record Muskellunge was caught from the St. Lawrence River on September 22, 1957 by Arthur Lawton. This spectacular fish weighed in at 69 pounds and 15 ounces.

   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.