Great Fishing In New York
Guide to fishing in the Empire State
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
Lake & Fish Chart
This chart shows the major angling destinations, cross referencing these waters with the major species to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments.
For a detailed list of primary fish species in NY, plus state fish records, see the list below.
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.
Fish Species & State Records in New York
Bass
Largemouth bass
World record: 22 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 11 lbs 4 oz
Smallmouth bass
World record: 11 lbs 15 oz
State Record: 8 lbs 4 oz
Catfish
Channel catfish
World record: 58 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 35 lbs 3 oz
White catfish
World record: 22 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 10 lbs 5 oz
Crappie
Black crappie
World record: 6 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 4 lbs 1 oz
White crappie
World record: 5 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 3 lbs 13 oz
Walleye
Walleye
World record: 25 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 18 lbs 2 oz
Sauger
World record: 17 lbs 7 oz
State Record: 4 lbs 8 oz
Trout
Rainbow trout
World record: 42 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 31 lbs 3 oz
Brook trout
World record: 14 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 6 lbs 0 oz
Brown trout
World record: 40 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 33 lbs 2 oz
Lake trout
World record: 72 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 41 lbs 8 oz
Panfish
Bluegill
World record: 4 lbs 12 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 8 oz
Pumpkinseed sunfish
World record: 2 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 1 lbs 9 oz
Rock bass
World record: 3.0 lbs
State Record: 2 lbs 0 oz
White Bass
World record: 6.8 lbs
State Record: 3 lbs 8 oz
White perch
World record: 4.6 lbs
State Record: 3 lbs 1 oz
Yellow perch
World record: 4 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 3 lbs 8 oz
Salmon
Atlantic salmon
World record: 79 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 24 lbs 15 oz
Chinook salmon
World record: 97 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 47 lbs 13 oz
Coho salmon
World record: 33 lbs 7 oz
State Record: 33 lbs 7 oz
Kokanee salmon
World record: 9 lbs 10 oz
State Record: 3 lbs 6 oz
Pink salmon
World record: 14 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 4 lbs 15 oz
Striped bass
Stripers
Inland world record: 64 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 60 lbs 0 oz
Hybrid Striper (Wiper)
World record: 27 lbs 5 oz
State Record: 15 lbs 5 oz
Other species
Bowfin
World record: 21 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 12 lbs 14 oz
Chain pickerel
World record: 9 lbs 6 oz
State Record: 8 lbs 1 oz
Longnose gar
World record: 50 lbs 5 oz
State Record: 14 lbs 10 oz
Muskie (Muskellunge)
World record: 69 lbs 9 oz
State Record: 69 lbs 15 oz
Northern pike
World record: 55 lbs 1 oz
State Record: 46 lbs 2 oz
Tiger muskie
World record: 51 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 35 lbs 8 oz
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
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