Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News
In this issue:
There’s nothing more sublime in the heat of the summer than getting on the water and catching fish! Check out what’s biting in areas across the state and for some tips on fishing in warm water conditions.
New York City
In summer, panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie) and largemouth bass are the most consistent catch in freshwater waterbodies, citywide. Fish have seen significant angling pressure by August, so switching up normal routines or techniques for all species might solve summer doldrums e.g., try sizing down your line diameter, using smaller or larger bait profiles, and/or fishing very early morning or night.
Places to Fish in New York City
I FISH NY NYC Fishing Map (PDF)
Sunfish, like this pumpkinseed caught in Prospect Park Pond, are a fun fish to catch for all ages.
Lower Hudson Valley and Southern Catskills
Anglers fishing the reservoirs, lakes and ponds in the lower Hudson Valley and southern Catskills can’t go wrong targeting largemouth bass around weed edges using senko style baits and weedless jigs. You can also find largemouth bass shallow in lily pads and topped out vegetation. Using a weedless topwater frog can be a very exciting way to fish! If the largemouth bass aren’t cooperating don’t forget to bring an ultra-light rod to target black crappie and bluegill using a variety of micro plastics on a 1/16-1/8 oz. jig head.
Places to Fish in Lower Hudson Valley and Catskill Region
New York City Reservoir Fishing
Reservoirs in the lower Hudson Valley provide great fishing opportunities, including catching big fish like this smallmouth bass in the Bog Brook Reservoir.
Adirondacks
Summer is a great time to target black bass and northern pike in the Adirondack Region. The black flies have subsided for the season and aquatic vegetation beds are thriving, providing productive areas to target these species. Largemouth bass can readily be caught in dozens of waterbodies across the park by targeting weed edges and submerged structures like rocky humps and points. Senko style rubber worms are a popular option for targeting bass; however, summertime bass can be caught on a variety of baits including ned rigs, dropshot rigs and skirt jigs. For exciting topwater action, try fishing a popper, buzzbait or prop bait at dawn, dusk or even after dark. Smallmouth bass can be caught using similar offerings, particularly those that imitate crayfish and small baitfish. Smallmouth are typically found around rocky structure as opposed to aquatic vegetation.
Numerous Adirondack lakes and rivers offer northern pike fishing opportunities, sometimes with the chance for a trophy-sized fish. Pike are commonly caught by casting or trolling spoons, stickbaits, chatterbaits and swimbaits along weed edges or woody structure. The larger pike in a given waterbody often move to deeper, cooler water during the summer months. Considering fishing deeper drop offs and submerged points (greater than 20’) to entice these large fish into ambushing your offering. Popular pike waters include Great Sacandaga Lake, Cranberry Lake, Tupper Lake, Chazy Lake, Lower Chateaugay Lake and the Hudson and Raquette Rivers.
Fishing in the Adirondacks
Largemouth bass are a summertime favorite fish to pursue and can be caught in numerous waters across the Adirondack region.
Great Lakes and Finger Lakes
Find the thermocline and find the fish! New York’s Great Lakes, Erie and Ontario, and deeper inland lakes like the Finger Lakes thermally stratify in the summer. The “thermocline” is a thin transitional layer that separates the upper mixed warmer water layer from the colder water layer below. Along the thermocline, baitfish and predatory gamefish will congregate, settling within their thermal comfort zone. Temperature probes are available that allow you to easily take water temperatures down to 100 feet or more. You can also often see the thermocline on your depth finder by turning the gain or sensitivity up. The thermocline will show as a narrow, fuzzy line.
Lake Erie’s thermocline typically settles at 50 to 70 feet deep, and walleye, the lake’s prized target species, tends to run just above the thermocline. The Lake Ontario thermocline typically establishes at a depth between 60 to 100 feet, with the various trout and salmon species clustering around and within the thermocline depending on the species’ temperature preference.
On the Finger Lakes, targeting the thermocline is your best bet for rainbow trout, brown trout, and Atlantic salmon, with 80 feet or deeper being a good starting point for lake trout. Black bass are firmly in their summertime patterns and that means trying to stay cool during this hot weather. A good option for largemouth can be fishing around docks or deeper vegetation while deep rock humps or points at 20-30 feet deep can be productive for smallmouth.
Fishing the Great Lakes
Fishing the Finger Lakes
Typical trolling setups work well and setting your hook at the right depth can make a difference in the various fish you can catch, like these salmon caught on the Great Lakes!
DEC’s Angler Achievement Award Program recognizes anglers that catch freshwater fish that meet or exceed the minimum qualifying length established for that species. Through the Angler Award and Youth Angler Award categories, anglers receive an award letter and species-specific sticker for up to 40 different sportfish. Each sticker you receive can be proudly displayed on your fishing gear, boat, or car for extra bragging rights!
Before submitting your catch, check the rules of entry to ensure your fish meets the eligibility requirements. Entries must be submitted within 30 days from the date of your catch, which can be completed easily through the online Angler Achievement Award Submission Form.
Here's a sampling of some award-winning catches so far this year! 20 inch smallmouth bass from Conesus Lake (left), 37 inch tiger muskellunge from Otisco Lake (top middle), 21 inch largemouth bass from Saratoga Lake (bottom middle), and 41.5 inch Chinook salmon from Lake Ontario (right)
- Sat., 8/1: Great Hudson River Fish Count (Areas Statewide)
- Sat., 8/1: Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 51 (Manhattan)
- Sat., 8/1: Fishing at the Gantries at Pier 4 (Manhattan)
- Wed., 8/5: DEC Pop-up Fishing Clinic at Kissena Lake (Flushing)
- Wed., 8/5: Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 26 (Manhattan)
- Thu., 8/6: Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 97 (Manhattan)
- Fri., 8/7: Fishing Frenzy Fridays at Penn Pier (Brooklyn)
- Sat., 8/8: Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 51 (Manhattan)
- Sat., 8/8: Fishing at the Gantries at Pier 4 (Manhattan)
- Mon., 8/10: Take the Bait Fishing Clinic at East River Park (Manhattan)
- Wed., 8/12: Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 26 (Manhattan)
- Wed., 8/12: DEC Pop-up Fishing Clinic at Marine Park (Brooklyn)
- Thu., 8/13: DEC Pop-up Fishing Clinic at Stuy Cove (Manhattan)
- Thu., 8/13: Big City Fishing Free Fishing Clinic at Pier 97 (Manhattan)
- Fri., 8/14: Fishing Frenzy Fridays at Penn Pier (Brooklyn)
Catch you in the next issue!
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