The weather may cool off in the fall, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the fishing does too. Gamefish often become more active as they feed in preparation for winter. Forage is plentiful for gamefish in the fall as young-of-the-year yellow perch, sunfish, gizzard shad, and alewives reach desirable sizes. Gamefish will often follow these species around, so it can sometimes be challenging to locate fish.
Show of hands- Who’s ready to go fishing? For a tally of how the fish voted, click the link & read on: https://adirondackoutlaw.com/left-handed-fish/
With the middle of June comes bass season, which, as dates go, is more meaningful than the opening day of trout season 10 weeks earlier. The opening of trout season often finds the weather too cold or the streams too high for productive angling (at least that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it).
Bass, of course, are always “in a mood,” and the weather is more commodious for fishermen and women as well. So on the opening weekend we were at the mouth of the Boquet where it flows into Lake Champlain. This is good fishing, but beyond that it has a rather exotic, almost beachy feel to it.
Seagulls called from the sandy spit that reaches far into the lake, and other shore birds popped in and out of the marsh across the river from Willsboro’s Noblewood Park. I started out fishing with a medium-sized blue and silver spoon for the scientific and carefully calculated reason that it was still on my rod from last fall.
Nothing.
As is typical, a mat of seaweed had accumulated near the shore, and something big was jumping just beyond. Unprepared, as usual, I didn’t have a weedless rig which might have been productive, so I walked further downstream to where the water opened up.
Worms and crankbaits weren’t working either, but a switch of a spinner did the trick, and the smallmouth began to hit. I’m not enough of a bass whisperer to know why one piece of glorified scrap metal works better than another on any particular day, but there you have it.
The Department of Environmental Conservation, in its Fishing Line newsletter for June, suggested a “wacky-style” soft stickbait, such as a plastic worm with a circle hook through the middle instead of the head.
“No one really knows what makes this rig so attractive to bass,” the DEC writes. “It might be the lifeless way it falls through the water. Or it could be simply that it annoys fish who can’t believe that anyone would attempt to catch them with something so ridiculous. One thing is certain, it catches fish when nothing else does.”
Photo at top: The mouth of the Boquet River is a good spot to hook a smallmouth bass. Tim Rowland photo
Editor’s note: Tim Rowland is taking over “Water Line” while Zach Matson is on family leave. Sign up for this free, weekly newsletter here.
On April 21, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that the fishing season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge begins on May 1.
“Early spring can be an exceptional time for fishing in New York, with species like walleye and northern pike becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise,” said Commissioner Seggos. “I encourage all anglers to find the time to get out on the water this spring to enjoy, and share with others, the great fishing that can be found here in New York.”
On January 19, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos reminded anglers to be safe when venturing onto the ice this season, especially given recent variations in weather conditions.
“New York State has been experiencing wide-ranging temperatures and weather conditions, from freezing to fairly mild,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Given these unpredictable fluctuations in weather, it is critical that winter recreationists exercise extreme caution when doing anything on the ice, including fishing, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Ice anglers should check the thickness of ice before leaving the shore. Four inches of solid clear ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness can vary between waterbodies and even within the same waterbody, increasing the need to ensure thickness. Anglers should be particularly cautious of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice from forming. Checking the ice can easily be done with an auger or spud bar at various spots. In addition, fishing with a family member or friend is also encouraged for safety. Local bait and tackle shops are a great source for finding out where there is safe ice and what anglers are catching.
Looking for the perfect gift? Forget wrapping paper and bows. Instead, think outside of the box and gift an Adirondack adventure instead of material things. Need inspiration? If your recipient enjoys outdoor adventure, then they may like to go:
I put some miles on the truck (and some on the ground) this week as I [traveled to] Paul Smith’s VIC three times, went brook trout fishing a couple times, and watched Loons on Lake Clear. [I also] photographed fall leaves, did some leaf blowing for several days, caught songbirds when the wind didn’t blow, and caught saw whet owls for four nights. Everyone asks [me] when I get the time to sleep and do all these things. I say, “I nap a lot.” I don’t know if I will get into all these [items in my column] as I must add a few politics this week, which I know you all like to hear just before Election Day.
This year (and every year after) May 1st will mark the official statewide season opener for most of the coolwater sportfish species in New York. This includes walleye, northern pike, chain pickerel, and tiger muskellunge. (Muskellunge season opens on June 1).
These sportfish species provide fun, yet challenging, fishing opportunities across the state.
If you’re targeting members of the Pike Family- northern pike, chain pickerel and tiger muskellunge, you should consider using a steel-leader tied to the end of your line. This will prevent the sharp teeth of these species from slicing your line and ultimately save you some frustration.
Knowing what the habitats are for sportfish will give you a better understanding of where you should fish for them. For example, chain pickerel are generally found year-round in shallow, weedy areas, whereas northern pike move from shallow water flats after spawning in the early spring to deeper, cooler water sections of lakes and rivers as temperatures rise through late spring and summer.
To learn more about fishing for these species in New York visit our website or see the links below.
How to Fish for Walleye
Walleye Fishing in New York
Pike, Pickerel and Tiger Musky Fishing in New York
Photo at top: A fisherman shows off his catch. DEC photo.
Surveys Conducted April through October 2022
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced open-water fishing creel surveys are being conducted for a second year on the New York waters of Lake Champlain through October 2022.
This open-water fishing survey, along with the ice fishing survey, provides DEC fisheries biologists with a better understanding of angler use, catch, harvest, and expectations to help inform management actions on Lake Champlain.
DEC is proposing to amend sportfishing regulations that include a multitude of changes to clarify, simplify and clean up fisheries regulations based on public feedback and fishery expert review of the regulations associated with management of the State’s fisheries.
Highlights of the proposals include:
Author’s Note: This story appeared in Adirondack Life Magazine’s July/August 2019 issue. It began on page 77, under the heading “Shenanigans”. It’s the only one of my five “Adirondack Life” stories published under its original title, without major edit. It was also the last one of my stories that Adirondack Life Magazine ever published.
Saranac Lake-1975. Before the Winter Olympics came back. Before the village beach moved. Before fast food and gas station mini-marts arrived. Before “Saranac Lake Redskins” became The Red Storm. Before Hotel Saranac closed. Before Super Fund Clean Up Sites. Before Aldi’s came. Before St. Pius left. Before.
My brother and I, circa 1969, at our Dock on the Sacandaga by our boat with a stringer full of walleyes we caught with our dad.
“While many a pickled pepper peck Peter Piper may have indeed picked, I ponder: How many pickled pecks would have Piper picked if perhaps Peter were picking dill pickle pike.”
My first youthful pike encounter was actually with walleyed pike, as opposed to great northerns. I’m not even sure Walleyes are technically really a true “pike”. Pickled or otherwise, I believe they are more a cross between a pickerel and a perch.
My Dad, younger brother and I used to fish the walleye run on the Great Sacandaga. We’d troll up and down, back and forth on the river, near where we kept Dad’s boat tied to our floating dock, out behind our rented grey stucco house, just above the bridge. We trolled with yellow bucktails in Dad’s little Starcraft, at first putt-putting along with my Grandad’s old 5 HP Scott-At-Water. Somewhere along the line, Dad upgraded to a new 20 HP Johnson that started a lot easier and worked a lot better.
Whether you’re a first time angler or it’s been awhile and you could use a refresher, we’re here to help. Check out three new videos we recently posted on DEC’s YouTube channel. Adding to our debut video (Family Fishing Basics), this series provides the basic information you’ll need to get started in the sport of fishing.
Interested in more fishing content? Let us know! Email fwfish@dec.ny.gov.
How to cast to a spin casting (push-button) rod
Basic Fishing Knots
Bobber & Worm Rig
The Long Lake Kids Fishing Derby was held in Long Lake, New York on Saturday, June 5, 2021. The event was staged at the Long Lake causeway overlooking Jennings Park Pond. Over 46 children through age 15 registered for the event. Jennings Park Pond had been stocked by the Long Lake Fish and Game Club and Town of Long Lake with trout provided by Avery’s Fish Hatchery. In addition to the rainbow and brook trout two Golden Trout were stocked as part of the coveted catch.
A variety of sunfish, perch and trout were weighed in by Garrett Clark. Master of Ceremonies and Fish and Game Club volunteer Jimmy Waite and his trusty assistant Louie the Lobster were happy to get back to business collecting prizes and coordinating the event. Jim Waite garnered over $800 in prizes and donations from businesses in the community. Volunteers Jim Swedberg and Marty Furlong handled bbq duties serving up hot dogs and hamburgers to all the participants. Bruce Jennings helped get the grill and tent to the staging area provided by Another Paradise Cove.
Latest News Headlines
Latest News Headlines
The Adirondack Almanack is a public forum dedicated to promoting and discussing current events, history, arts, nature and outdoor recreation and other topics of interest to the Adirondacks and its communities
We publish commentary and opinion pieces from voluntary contributors, as well as news updates and event notices from area organizations. Contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The information, views and opinions expressed by these various authors are not necessarily those of the Adirondack Almanack or its publisher, the Adirondack Explorer.
General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to editor Melissa Hart.
To advertise on the Adirondack Almanack, or to receive information on rates and design, please click here.Catch up on all your Adirondack
news, delivered weekly to your inbox
Help us keep bringing you the Adirondack information you value.
Email
Twitter
RSS
Facebook
Can’t rain on their parade: Inlet’s Adirondack Kids Day fishing derby a success
My rain gauge [read] three inches this morning (Monday, October 9) so since, Friday night [October 6] until this morning, it had rained…and I was out in it several times over the weekend. We had a few dry [Inlet’s Adirondack] Kids Day Fishing [Derbys] [in the past], but not many…so why start this weekend? It was wet (in fact – pouring rain) when we went out [on] October 7 with the first group of kids and some parents. You soon find out kids don’t care [about the rain,] they just want to catch a fish…so give them a pole and bait their hook, and they are fishing.
A few were dressed for the weather, [and] others were just getting wet…and catching fish. The fishing platform in Fifth Lake was a hot spot that morning. Fish were flopping on the deck all morning, [but] some got away. Sunfish of all sizes seemed to be the catch of the day. Some [kids also] caught fall fish, golden shiners, a small largemouth bass, and one rock bass. Most made it to the measuring board to get recorded for length. Some were fat and healthy, [and] others were short and skinny. [However,] they all counted in different age groups. Did I say it was wet? The worms were even swimming in the worm boxes before they went swimming in the water attached to a hook.
» Continue Reading.