The Fishing Line - 2021 Bass Fishing Issue

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The Fishing Line - 2021 Bass Fishing Issue Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Boating News

2021 Bass Season Opening

The harvest season for largemouth and smallmouth bass opens Saturday, June 19.

Angler with largemouth and smallmouth bassLargemouth bass and smallmouth bass are New York's top sportfish and for good reason - you can find them  across the state, they are relatively easy to catch, and they are a ton of fun to land when you hook into one! Not to mention, several waters in the state are home to trophy-size fish, drawing anglers from across the country seeking out the catch of a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fishing Regulations

FYI- Largemouth and smallmouth bass are referred collectively as "black bass" in the NYS Fishing Regulations Guide.

Black Bass Statewide Fishing Regulations*

3rd Saturday in June - November 30, 12" Minimum Length, Daily Limit of five

December 1 - Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June, catch and release only, artificial lures only

* If the water you plan on fishing doesn't have a special regulation for black bass (see Special Regulations section of the Fishing Regulations Guide) the statewide fishing regulation applies.

Note: Some counties in NYS do not have a catch and release season for bass. Be sure to check the regulations before you head out. 

Fishing for Bass

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
State Record: 11 lbs. 4 oz., Buckhorn Lake (Otsego Co.), 9/11/87

Largemouth Bass

Where: Shallow, weedy areas of lakes, ponds and rivers; also prefer cover, such as logs, docks and stumps.

Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
State Record (tie): 8 lbs. 4 oz., Lake Erie (Chautauqua Co.) 6/4/95 and  St. Lawrence River (Jefferson Co.) 8/28/16

Smallmouth Bass

Where: Rocky or sandy areas of lakes; drop offs; also prefer cover of boulders or logs.

Techniques to try

For early season bass start along the shoreline or inside weed edges and then work your way out deeper if not seeing or catching fish. Good baits to try are stickworms, either wacky-rigged (PDF) or Texas-rigged, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits (vibrating jigs) or top-water lures like a buzzbait or frog.

Ned rig for bass fishingIf fishing deeper water try crankbaits, tube jigs, a Ned-rig or drop-shot rigs. A Ned-rig is a short 3-4” tail section of a stickworm threaded on a jig head. Round jig heads will work but a mushroom style jig head is more commonly used.

If you prefer using live bait try a crayfish fished on the bottom, or a 3-4” minnow fished under a bobber.

 

 

Pictured: Ned-rig