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.

   If there has been sufficient rain fall the tributaries to the Finger Lakes will have a run of brown trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon. These fish are a bit smaller than the more northern cousins that most are pursuing, but if you want some peace and solitude and want to catch a few fish this is the way to go. Finger Lakes tribs are open till the end of December and sometimes that last week is the best fishing of the year.

   Most lake fisherman will be looking for perch, walleye, and pike to provide recreational diversion and or table fare. Oneida Lake is a hot spot as well as Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga Lakes. Prime muskellunge fishing can be found in the Niagara River, Thousand Islands, and St. Lawrence River. Muskellunge fishing season closes November 30th.

   It was November 26, 2005 when Ken Hemshrot and his son Kenny booked a three day Trophy Musky Hunt with Ernie Lantiegne of Fish Doctor Charters. They caught 3 muskies in 3 days and lost one that they never got to see. The first photo is of Kenny Hemshrot and Ernie Lantiegne with a 50 and 1/4 inch Muskellunge which was safely released. The second photo is of Ken Hemshrot with a 44 inch Muskellunge that was also released. Ken and Kenny are proud to say that Ernie Lantiegne was absolutely one of the best and hardest working fishing guides they have ever had the privilege to fish with.

  Trophy Musky Hunts with Captain Ernie Lantiegne are strictly catch and release for the simple reason that muskies over 50 inches can be a ripe old age 25 years. There is always the possibility that another angler may get to catch and release the same fish again. Secondly it is much better to have a wild population of muskellunges with a fantastic genetic base to continue the world famous musky fishing the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands are blessed with. With a photo and a few measurements it is possible to have replica mount made which will look fantastic and last much longer than a actual mount. These fantastic fish are a valuable resource and with proper care and managment they will be with us for a long time.

  In November of 2004 Ron Buchanan of Elmira, NY caught this incredible walleye from the Chemung River. This amazing Chemung River walleye was 29 inches long and weighed in at just over 9 pounds. Ron was fishing just after dark. His favorite method is casting stickbaits upstream and retrieving them just fast enough to keep up with the current. During the retrieve he will give the bait an occasionally twitch. This is sometimes what triggers he strikes. The best colors are perch, silver and black or blue combo. This is an exceptional fish and Ron is going to have this walleye mounted.