If you are looking for a new place to fish, look no further than New York state. With over 7,000 lakes, reservoirs and ponds, New York has plenty of options to choose from. Fishing website Fishmasters ranked the best fishing lakes in New York, taking into account the size of each lake, what type of fish can be found, weather conditions and more.
Here’s a deep dive into New York’s 10 best fishing lakes, and Fishmasters’ full ranking.
10. Saratoga Lake
Saratoga Lake earned a top spot on Fishmasters’ ranking for how convenient it is to access, both for shore fishing and boats. This lake, located in the Capital District, is popular year-round. Its structure allows for many different types of fishing spots, from weed beds to drop-offs. This medium-sized lake is a good place to find bass, pike, walleye and panfish. Fishmasters said that it is easy to plan a trip to Saratoga Lake because the local towns have a lot to offer.
9. Keuka Lake
This Finger Lake is famous for its Y-shape. Keuka Lake has many species of bass and trout, with the bass mainly in the shallow arms of the lake and the trout in the lake’s deep middle portion. Keuka Lake is popular for boating in the summer and ice fishing in the winter, making it a desired spot for both locals and visitors.
8. Cayuga Lake
Fishmasters called this Finger Lake “perfect” for trolling because of its deep water sections. This lake is home to many species of trout, such as lake trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. While Cayuga Lake can get busy during fishing season, it offers a variety of fishing experiences and is in close proximity to supply stores and lodging.
7. Lake Champlain
The variety of deep and shallow spots at Lake Champlain provide plenty of exciting places to fish. Located on the border of New York and Vermont, this lake is popular for multi-species fishing. Throughout Lake Champlain you can find bass, trout, salmon, pike and panfish. The action doesn’t stop when the lake freezes, because many people go ice fishing for smelt and yellow perch during the winter.
6. Black Lake
Fishmasters said that Black Lake’s calm waters make it a great spot for both boating and shore fishing. The lake, located in the northern part of New York, has a spacious shoreline, so you’ll be able to find the perfect spot, whether you are fishing recreationally or competing in a bass fishing tournament. You will likely find panfish, pike and bass in Black Lake. Fishmasters called Black Lake “a reliable and fun stop for anyone serious about fishing.”
5. Chautauqua Lake
Chautauqua Lake is the place to be if you are looking to catch muskellunges, more commonly known as muskies. Although this western New York lake is on the smaller side, it makes up for it by having many diverse fishing spots. This lake boasts rocky points, weed beds and shallow bays. This western New York lake is an ideal spot to catch large fish.
4. Seneca Lake
This Finger Lake gets its high ranking for its depth, underwater ledges and trout and salmon populations. Trout are active in Seneca Lake longer than they are in other lakes because Seneca Lake stays cooler for a longer period of time. Fishmasters recommended bringing gear to Seneca Lake because “the steep drop-offs and underwater ledges give fish plenty of places to roam.”
3. Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake is the largest lake within New York. It is known for having lots of rocks and weeds at the bottom, providing fish with different hiding spots. The fish found at this central New York lake include perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. In the summer, many people fish from boats and kayaks, as well as on the public docks. In the winter, Lake Oneida is a sought-after spot for ice fishing.
Fishmasters recommended Lake Oneida because of its surrounding area. “With several nearby towns and marinas, it’s easy to find bait shops, boat rentals, and places to launch,” their website says.
2. Lake Erie
Fishmasters placed Lake Erie high for all the action it has going on. Fishing season starts earlier at Lake Erie than it does at most fishing lakes because its shallow depth allows the water warms up faster in the spring. This Great Lake is a popular place to catch walleye and steelhead. Fishmasters advised people wanting to fish at Lake Erie to check weather conditions first, because the area is known to experience strong winds.
1. Lake Ontario
This Great Lake was selected as New York’s top fishing lake by Fishmasters for its large size and variety of fish. The lake, located on the border of the U.S. and Canada, spans over 7,300 miles and has abundant space for boats. The fish you’ll find in Lake Ontario depend on the season. Summer is the best season to fish for bass, while you are more likely to find trout and salmon in the fall and spring months.
“Lake Ontario is a must-visit for anyone serious about New York fishing,” Fishmasters’ website says.
What are the best NY fishing lakes?
Fishingmasters named these as the top fishing lakes in the state:
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Top 10 best fishing lakes in New York ranked by Fishmasters: See the list
Reporting by Erin Jones, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
