Pictured here is Joel Smith from Baldwinsville, NY. Joel caught this 35 inch northern Pike on Lake Neatahwanta in Fulton, NY on May 15, 2011 using a size 5 blue fox Vibrax spinner on a medium action spinning reel with 10 pound. test line. The Pike fought hard and took about 5-7 minutes to land. It was his first time on the lake and he plans to return again to try his luck.

  Lake Neatahwanta is located in and near the city of Fulton in Oswego County, New York. It covers roughly 749 acres and has an averages depth of 6 feet and has a maximum depth of 12 feet. The lake empties through an outlet about two miles long into the Oswego River. This beautiful body of water, was named by the Indians Ne-ah-tah-wan-tah, signifying "the little lake near the great lake". The lake supports the following species of fish, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegills, crappies, carp, bowfin, and bullhead.

  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 New York state record Northern Pike was caught by Peter Dubuc on a Heddon Flaptail it weighed an amazing 46 pounds 2 ounces. It was caught from the Great Sacandaga Lake on September 15, 1940.

   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 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.