When people say New York, the first thing that comes to mind is the metropolis, and no one would think that there are fishing spots in the state. Yes, there are places in the state of New York where people can catch largemouth bass.
New York, as a state, is on the eastern coast of the United States. From Montauk to Riverhead to Long Island, there are fantastic places where you can fish for largemouth, and I will show you these places today!
1. Cayuga Lake
Lake Cayuga is the second largest finger lake in the state, covering roughly 43,000 acres. It is a long and narrow lake, but it is also deep. Some parts of the lake run at a depth of 435 feet.
The good news is that some areas are only 15 feet deep. It is not only largemouth bass that you can find here, but also trout, prey fish like alewives and yellow perch. Because of the abundance of these fishes, the bass grows really fat.
On average, the largemouth you could catch in the lake is around five pounds each. While largemouth is not particularly abundant in the entire lake, one would get the impression that it is because they are concentrated in some areas.
The best time to go and visit the lake is between April and May. The largemouth will eventually find their way to the deep parts of the lake after that. During this period, they mostly thrive in shallow areas. What I suggest that you use is a lipless crankbait.
If you try to catch the largemouth bass in the shallow area, my suggestion is that you use plastic baits. This will do just fine.
2. Black Lake
Black Lake is a glacial lake situated in St Lawrence County. Because of the abundance of fish here, people call it the Freshwater Fisherman’s Paradise. It is the largest lake in St. Lawrence County, and it runs in a parallel line with the St. Lawrence River for miles.
As a glacial lake, it formed because of the melting of continental glaciation. This lake has been around for 12,000 years.
The water in the lake comes from several sources, including the Indian River. It drains into another river and then finally into the Saint Lawrence River. The lake got that name because the Native Americans who settled in the area referred to it as Kanientàrhón:tsi, a Mohawk word meaning that the lake is black.
The most common species of fish here are largemouth, and they are everywhere in this 8,000-acre lake. On average, you can catch a largemouth that weighs two pounds. From time to time, you may catch something that is five pounds.
Here are some of the species you can catch:
- Smallmouth bass
- Walleye
- Sturgeons
- Bluegill
- Yellow perch
- Muskellunge
There is a regulation that you need to know—a largemouth bass smaller than 15 inches must be returned to the water.
3. Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is sometimes called The Sixth Great Lake. It is a huge one that reaches Canada. The New York portion of the lake is in the Champlain Valley, where you can find some recreational facilities.
Lake Champlain is a popular destination, as it is safe for swimming, fishing, and boating. What you will love about this lake is that it is world-class, with many salmonid species on top of largemouth bass. For example, it is not unusual for you to catch a lake trout or an Atlantic salmon here.
There are about 81 species of fish in the lake, and here are some examples:
- Yellow perch
- White perch
- Bluegill sunfish
- Smallmouth bass
- Rock bass
The spawning season of the largemouth bass starts in the springtime. Males will start building their nests, and the females will deposit their eggs in these nests. After this, the males will fertilize these eggs. The eggs will hatch after six days only, so there is a lot of activity going on during this period.
The best spot in Lake Champlain to fish for largemouth is the south Bay Pier, which you can access from the south end of the lake.
4. Lake George
Lake George is not only a fishing spot but also a great place for people who want to enjoy the great outdoors. Here, you can choose to stay in an isolated cabin or camp on your own. There are also places where you can rent a room in a hotel by the waterfront.
Here are some of the types of fish you can catch:
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Black crappie
- Lake trout
- Rock bass
- Northern pike
There are marinas and boat ramps here, so getting through the lake is not a problem. You can come here and rent a boat or bring your own. The lake is huge, covering 28,000 acres, and you have around 175 miles of shoreline.
5. Chautauqua Lake
This lake is an ideal spot for fishing, as it supports a diversity of fish species. Below are some of the types you can catch:
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Panfish
- Muskellunge
The lake has two basins, and the shallower part has weed beds where the fishes nest. The lake has an elevation of 1,308 feet. As such, the depth of the lake is only between 11 and 19 feet.
Bass fishing is the best thing to do here, and the best time of the year to do it is in April. During this month, the water is warm, and the fish are on the move.
The beauty of this lake is that the shoreline is shallow. You can cast for the shoreline or the docks, if that is your preferred fishing style. The largemouth bass is abundant here, but most of them are only a pound or two.
6. Oneida Lake
While Lake Oneida is best known for its walleye, that does not mean that there is no largemouth bass here. Lake Oneida is one of the best spots to fish for bass. Lake Oneida has restrictions, so you must review the New York website about these rules.
Every year, there is a fishing tournament held here. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass are abundant. You can find the smallmouth bass in shoals, but you must venture deeper if you want a largemouth.
Summary
As always, the state requires a license before you can fish in these waters and if you are older than 16. You also need a license if you want to hunt frogs. You do not need a license if you are on a licensed preserve or if you try to catch fish during the free fishing weekend.