May 26, 2016

St. Lawrence River: Not hearing a lot lately, with lousy weather keeping many anglers home. Black Lake: Richard at Chapman’s in Hammond reports crappie action has been superb, but many fish are running small and about one in five is keeper size. Some big bluegill have been caught of late, as well as a few

Beaverkill and Willowemoc: Both rivers were clear and wadeable and in good shape. There is a mix of Caddis, Sulphurs, March Browns and small spinners.   Delaware East Branch: Was at a good fishing level with easy wading. March Browns were showing up, along with spinners and Sulphurs.  The water below East Branch is good

Hudson River striper anglers are taking their last shots of the spring as the fish migrate downriver and back to the Atlantic. The region’s stocked trout waters are grabbing most of the angling attention right now, ahead of next month’s bass season opener.

Great Sacandaga Lake was yielding a few walleye as well as the occasional brown or rainbow trout. Weather slowed fishing pressure and made it difficult to get any reports. The Mettawee and Battenkill should be offering excellent trout fishing heading into June.

Overall, the fishing was excellent for stripers and bluefish. The inshore and offshore saltwater temperatures have reached the high 50s, creating ideal conditions for striped bass and bluefish. The stripers have worked their way east to Montauk Point.  The large schools of bunker that have resided throughout the winter are providing the big bait necessary