Great Fishing In New York

Guide to fishing in the Empire State

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

New York offers a diverse and abundant fishing scene, catering to anglers of all preferences. The state boasts an impressive variety of fish species, making it a haven for both warm water and cold water fishing enthusiasts. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, plus the species found in each lake.

Warm water fisheries in New York are known for their populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and panfish. Lakes like Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, and the Finger Lakes provide excellent opportunities to target these species. Anglers can experience the thrill of battling powerful bass, the challenge of hooking a walleye, or the excitement of reeling in a feisty panfish.

On the other hand, New York's cold water fisheries are famous for their populations of trout and salmon. Lakes such as Lake Ontario and Lake Erie offer outstanding opportunities for anglers seeking trophy-sized fish. Species like lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and landlocked salmon lure anglers with their incredible fighting abilities and stunning colors. Anglers can choose from various techniques such as trolling, casting, or fly fishing to target these prized cold water species. The Adirondack lakes are particularly renowned for their breathtaking scenery and superb trout fishing.

Beyond the lakes, New York's fishing options extend to its numerous ponds, rivers, and streams. Ponds throughout the state provide excellent opportunities for anglers seeking peaceful and secluded fishing experiences. These ponds are often home to various panfish species, including bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch, offering enjoyable angling for individuals and families alike. Meanwhile, New York's rivers and streams, such as the famous Delaware River and the Ausable River, provide thrilling fly fishing opportunities for trout and other freshwater species.

Overall, New York's fishing landscape is incredibly diverse, with its warm water and cold water fisheries, ponds, lakes, and rivers providing endless opportunities for anglers to explore and pursue their favorite fish species. Whether casting a line in a tranquil pond, trolling on a vast lake, or wading in a scenic river, New York's fishing scene promises unforgettable moments and the chance to reel in a variety of fish species, ensuring an angling experience tailored to every angler's tastes and preferences.

The state of New York offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white bass, white perch, yellow perch, Atlantic salmon, coho salmon, stripers, bowfin, chain pickerel, longnose gar, muskie, northern pike and tiger muskie in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams.

Major New York Lakes & Species

Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.

Allegheny Reservoir is a 12,000-acre lake on the southern border of the state, at Cold Spring, New York.

Ashokan Reservoir is an 8,300-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Boiceville.

Black Lake is an 5,800-acre lake in the northwest part of the state, at Hammond.

Canandaigua Lake is a 10,700-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Canandaigua.

Cannonsville Reservoir is a 4,800-acre lake in the south central part of the state, at Tompkins.

Carry Falls Reservoir is a 3,200-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, 10 miles southeast of South Colton.

Cayuga Lake is a 43,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Cayuga.

Chautauqua Lake is a 13,000-acre lake in the southwest part of the state, at Chautauqua.

Conesus Lake is a 3,400-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Lakeville.

Cranberry Lake is a 7,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Cranberry Lake.

Great Sacandaga Lake is a 27,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Edinburg.

Indian Lake is a 4,400-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Indian Lake.

Keuka Lake is an 11,600-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Penn Yan.

Lake Champlain is a 271,000-acre lake on the northeastern border of the state, at Plattsburgh.

Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes. It covers 9,910 square miles and is located on the eastern border of the state.

Lake George is a 28,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, from Hague to Lake George.

Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes. It covers 7,320 square miles and is located on the northwest border of the state.

Long Lake is a 3,900-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Long Lake.

Lows Lake is a 2,800-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, 10 miles southwest of Tupper Lake, NY

Oneida Lake is a 51,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Brewerton.

Onondaga Lake is a 2,950-acre lake in central New York, on the northeast outskirts of Syracuse.

Otsego Lake is a 4,200-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Springfield Center.

Owasco Lake is a 6,600-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Auburn.

Pepacton Reservoir is a 5,700-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Colchester.

Piseco Lake is a 2,800-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Piseco.

Raquette Lake is a 3,900-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, 10 miles west of Blue Mountain Lake.

Saratoga Lake is a 3,800-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Saratoga Springs.

Seneca Lake is a 43,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Geneva.

Schroon Lake is a 4,100-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Schroon.

Skaneateles Lake is an 8,900-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Skaneateles.

Tupper Lake is a 4,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Tupper Lake.

Union Falls Pond is a 4,200-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, 10 miles west of Wilmington.

Upper Saranac Lake is a 4,700-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, 12 miles west of Saranac Lake.

Click the images and links above for species details.

State of NY Fishing Information

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website offers a wealth of additional information about fishing in New York. Click here to obtain a New York Fishing License.

Fish for big bass

Excellent largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing opportunities are available to anglers.

Fishing in all states