July 10, 2014

St. Lawrence River: Bass are being found in deeper water and can be caught on spinnerbaits, Senkos and crayfish. Northern pike action has also been good and you’re likely to encounter them while fishing for bass. Black Lake: Smallmouth fishing dominates the angling attention now; remember there’s a 15-inch size minimum if you choose to […]

Beaverkill/Willowemoc: Both rivers were in good shape at last check, but this is the time of year when you should keep an eye on water temperatures, which can rise as the day progresses. Avoid stressing the trout. The Horton area is now closed to fishing as a thermal refuge for the fish. There are still

Kensico Reservoir has been yielding bass and the occasional lake trout. Muscoot Reservoir was also good for bass, but we’re not hearing a lot beyond that right now.

Lake George: Lakers are heading into deeper water but still offering up some good action. But smallmouth fishing is the main attraction right now. The bronzebacks might be a bit deeper than you think – check 25-35 feet down. Saratoga Lake: Largemouth bass have been a morning or evening proposition as waters warm.

The saltwater fishing during this report period was excellent. June cooperated as being the big striper month, with numerous 50-pound stripers caught under the pods of bunker located just outside the South Shore inlets and within Jamaica Bay and New York Bight. Some of the largest stripers were reported from Moriches Inlet to the east,

Lake Champlain fishing has been excellent of late, with both warmwater (bass and pike) and coldwater (trout and salmon) species offering  up plenty of action. Some double-digit pike and lakers have been caught. On the West Branch of the Ausable, nymphing the pocketwater can usually be productive this time of year, and hopper-dropper rigs are

Cayuga Lake: Trollers were getting lake trout on spoons fished 45 to 90 feet down. Vertical jigging was producing fish in 50 to 60 feet of water. Look for largemouth bass in the north end. Seneca Lake: Trolling black & purple spoons 40 feet down over 50 to 90 feet of water was producing a

Lake Ontario: Fishing slowed as fish have become more scattered. A thermocline was starting to set up on the lake, which should help. Brown trout were being found in 40 feet of water, while the salmon and steelhead have become more scattered. Now is a good time to cover water and watch your electronics for

Lake Ontario and tributaries: Fish were still scattered as the nemesis of east wind continued to hamper salmon and trout action. Finding pockets of warmer water has not been easy. Staying inside of 70 feet has been one approach but action has been spotty. Use spoons or stick baits in the top 50 feet of