Environment DEC
From the July 2003 issue
First Day of Summer Ushers in Bass Season
Largemouth bass are the
largest members of the
sunfish family
New York State's bass fishing season opened on Saturday, June 21, and though it was difficult to tell by the weather, it was also the first official day of summer. Because many of New York's traditional bass waters experience heavy fishing activity during the first few weeks of the season, anglers should explore the hundreds of miles of good bass fishing available in the state's rivers, as well as in smaller lakes and ponds.
River Fishing
In northern New York, good bets for river anglers are the major Eastern Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River tributaries such as the Black, Indian, Oswegatchie and St. Regis rivers, as well as sections of the Saranac system. In the western part of the state, anglers are encouraged to fish the Allegheny River. For north-central residents, the Seneca, Oswego, Oneida and Genesee rivers usually offer good action for bass. Eastern New York anglers should try the Schoharie Creek downstream of the dam at Blenheim-Gilboa, and the Mohawk and Hudson rivers.
The Susquehanna system is another good location for bass fishing. Numerous sections, including Susquehanna, Chenango, Otselic, Chemung, Tioughnioga and Unadilla rivers, are lightly fished and readily accessible to wading and canoe or cartop boat anglers. Many access sites along these waters offer comfortable floating-and-fishing outings.
DEC reminds river anglers to keep updated on flow and turbidity conditions to avoid unproductive and possibly dangerous trips, and to remember to scout out access and fast water prior to launching boats. Sportsmen and women must remember that the Upper Hudson River from the Troy Dam upstream to Bakers Falls in the Village of Hudson Falls is open to bass fishing on a catch-and-release basis only.
Lake/Pond Fishing
Smallmouth bass and
largemouth bass generally
require more effort and
skill to catch than
other sunfish
All of the following are good bass fishing locations for those anglers who prefer lakes and ponds: lakes Erie, Chautauqua, Silver, Cuba, Rushford, Lime, Cassadaga, Bear, Honeoye, Conesus, Findley and Quaker in the west; Tupper Lake, Long Lake, Lake George, Lake Champlain, Saratoga Lake and Black Lake in the north, and Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Owasco Lake, Otisco Lake and North Sandy Pond in the north-central part of the state.
Excellent bass fishing opportunities also exist in the southeastern part of the state, with New York City reservoirs such as Amawalk, Croton and Kensico among the best places. Anglers wishing to fish any of the city's reservoirs should be aware that a permit is required for all recreational activities on city-owned water supply land. In addition, New York City fishing permits issued prior to 2002 are no longer valid.
In southeastern New York State, anglers should try the many fine bass waters found within the region's state parks, including Rudd Pond, Canopus Lake and Lake Tiorati. On Long Island, where the bass season opened on June 7, excellent bass fishing can still be found in the Peconic River and its impoundments, Lake Ronkonkoma, Fort Pond and Blydenburgh Lake.
Catch and Release
Nassau County anglers are reminded that angling for bass is strictly on a catch-and-release basis to help rebuild bass populations in the county's small lakes and ponds. Good catch-and-release bass fishing also exists within the waters of the New York City park system, such as Prospect Park Lake, Kissena Lake and the Harlem Meer.
Bass anglers should check DEC's fishing regulations before setting out to ensure that they are following appropriate guidelines. Anglers fishing the freshwaters of Long Island or New York City are encouraged to participate in the angler diary cooperator programs in each region.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are New York State's two species of black basses. They are the largest members of the sunfish family and have a more elongated, robust body shape. Both species are highly prized sportfish, generally requiring more effort and skill to catch than other sunfish.
