Pike and Muskellunge Fishing In NY

 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 date was August 22, 2004. when Fred Lang of Cape Vincent N.Y. was out by himself for a leisure day of fishing. He was using down riggers to troll. One was set at a depth of 30 feet.The second one was set at a depth of 45 feet. He was trolling a silver and green jointed 4 and half inch Bomber Long A Minnow. He was using twelve pound test Cortland Flea Flicker Trolling Line with no leader.

  Fred was fishing in the area just off Grenadier Island in Lake Ontario. Much to his surprise a very large muskellunge expressed a certain degree of interest in his lure and it's presentation. After a lengthy and exciting battle Fred was able to land the big Muskellunge. It weighed an amazing 46 pounds and was 60 inches long. This was certainly a trophy fish and Fred is having the fish mounted. It is currently at the taxidermist in Alexandria Bay.

  The date was June 11, 2004 when Michael Devine from Blue Point Long Island caught this fantastic Tiger Muskellunge from Lake Ronkonkoma. This amazing fish was 43 and half inches long and it weighed 17 pounds and 10 ounces. Michael was fishing on the east side of the lake when the Muskellunge hit a 4 inch Chug Bug in less than foot of water. He saw the fish turn and attack the lure about 15 feet from the boat. He has been fishing Ronkonkoma for over 30 years and this was the first Tiger Muskellunge he has have ever seen caught from the lake.

 Rafal Pisarski from Queens, NY is pictured here with a very large northern pike. Rafal was fishing on Lake George Memorial Day weekend 2006. He was using a Banjo Plastic Minnow.

 Much to his surprise this monster pike decided his bait and its presentation were too good to be ignored and he slammed the bait. Luck was on Rafal's side, because he was not using a wire leader at the time.

 After a fierce battle the monster pike was able to be landed and after posing for a few photos was quickly released to fight another day.

  In May of 2005 Steve Ruhle was fishing the Great Sacandaga Lake with Gary's Guide and Charter Service. They were fishing for northern pike using live shiners for bait. Steve was using a 10 inch shiner when he caught this 38 inch northern pike. Later when they cleaned the fish they discovered a 16 inch rainbow trout in its stomach.

 Pictured here is Bob Cieslak otherwise known as Musky Bob. He was fishing in Black River Bay with a couple of friends. They were trolling a Rapala Husky Jerk in 12 feet of water when they hooked this fantastic 33 and half inch Northern Pike. After a quick photo the fish was released unharmed. Bob has his own website with lots of other fantastic fish he has caught and released over the years. You can visit Bob on the web at his web site Musky Bob.

  Picturd here Jack Dillon alias Da' Basser from Philadelphia P.A. Every year in May he and his buddies rent a cottage on Keuka Lake for a week. They caught smallmouth, largemouth, lakers, northern pike, and pickerel, they were all good sized fish. Jack is an avid fisherman who practices catch and release fishing. Live minnows were more productive for the group this year because of the long cold winter and due to the shortage of warm weather the fish are still sluggish even in May.

 Faun Lake is an private campground that is over 230 acres in size. It is located in Wyoming County, New York. The park has over 300 campsites and includes two lakes Faun Lake which is 44 acres in size and and adjoining Beaver Lake that is 27 acres in size. Both lakes have largemouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch, and northern pike.