Fishing Canandaigua Lake

AKA: Lake Canandaigua

Popular Fish Species
Canandaigua Lake Fishing Video
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Canandaigua Lake, NY

Popular Fish Species Canandaigua Lake, NY

Largemouth Bass Fishing

As a long-standing, top bass fishing lake, Canandaigua Lake continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass. Results by locals, and many bass fishing tournaments, attest that fishing for largemouth bass has been as good as advertised. A significant number of large bass also roam these waters for the added bonus of a potential lunker. Thorough fisheries management by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. Generally speaking, when the bite is good bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive. Any time you find them shallow and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Canandaigua Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass is good here is year round. Even in winter when the lake freezes over, bass can be caught while ice fishing. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Canandaigua Lake continues to have a very healthy population of yellow perch. These perch have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Chain Pickerel Fishing

Chain pickerel prefer to weedy areas of lakes and rivers. They ambush baitfish and sunfish which requires cover for them to hide within. Submerged aquatic vegetation, brush, fallen tree limbs, or structures such as rock piles, bridge pilings, rip-rap, or debris. Canandaigua Lake has a very healthy population of these toothy critters, many approaching 30 inches and exceeding 5 pounds. Unlike many freshwater fish species, chain pickerel do not school up. They tend to be loners. Once you catch one, find other, spots with similar cover and depth to fish. Flashy spoons, live minnows, and bait-imitating crankbaits all work well. For added excitement, try fishing topwater lures over vegetation areas. Topwater lures that mimic wounded baitfish are very tempting to these predators. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing can get very exciting with these big pike.

Canandaigua Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch and chain pickerel at Canandaigua Lake in New York.

An exceptional trout fishery, Canandaigua Lake is a 10,700-acre lake in the central part of the state. The lake is over 15 miles long with 35 miles of shoreline. Anglers can fish for bass, trout, crappie, perch, pickerel and sunfish from shore, from rented boats or from personal watercraft. The lake spans over 10 miles, providing ample opportunities for both shoreline and boat fishing. Smallmouth bass are a prized catch in Canandaigua Lake.

Overall, Canandaigua Lake offers a well-rounded fishing for bass, pike, walleye, and panfish. Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park is at the center of activity here with parking and boat launch ramps. Camping, RV hookups, marinas, supplies, bait & tackle, lodging and dining options are all conveniently located at the lake. Access and parking are available during winter for ice fishing when safe ice conditions permit.

Fishing report

Primary fish species residing in Canandaigua Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Canandaigua Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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