Fishing Saratoga Lake

AKA: Lake Saratoga

Popular Fish Species
Saratoga Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
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Saratoga Lake, NY

Popular Fish Species Saratoga Lake, NY

Saratoga Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Saratoga Lake continues to uphold its reputation for great catches of largemouth bass, as it has for several years now. Careful fisheries management by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has maintained a thriving bass fishery, providing both quantity and quality for anglers. Smallmouth bass also reside here in decent numbers. Fishing for largemouth bass can range from fair to very good here, year round. In winter when the lake freezes over and the ice is safe, bass can be caught while ice fishing. Recent results by locals, and bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been very rewarding lately. Also, there is the potential for catching a monster. Big mouth bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If 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 options. In winter, spend your time fishing Saratoga Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant baitfish population, and plenty of small sunfish in the lake, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Saratoga Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Saratoga Lake Popular Fish - Chain Pickerel

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. Saratoga 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.

Saratoga Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, chain pickerel and northern pike at Saratoga Lake in New York.

A wide variety of fish species await anglers at Saratoga Lake, a 3,800-acre lake in the east-central part of NYS. Over 23 miles of shoreline encircle this fertile fishery. Popular species in Saratoga Lake include largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and crappie.

The fishing is excellent in spring and fall, good during summer and can be great when ice fishing in winter. Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch is located at the northeast corner of the lake, off route 9P. There are numerous areas where anglers wishing to fish from the bank can find access. The lake is small enough for canoes and kayaks, yet big enough for larger pleasure, pontoon and fishing boats. A couple marinas, a campground, stores and restaurants are all easily accessible to enhance a fishing trip or an extended vacation.

Primary fish species residing in Saratoga Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Saratoga 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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

550 Marina & Board
Rentals: Pontoon boats
518 682-6255

Point Breeze Marine
Rentals: Pontoon boats
518 587-3397

Salvi Aquatic Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
866 538-9370

South Shore Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats, kayaks and row boats
518 584-9125

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch Ramp
Located at the northern end of the lake, at the south end of the State Route 9P Bridge, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and lots of paved parking.

South Shore Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off State Route 9P, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Marinas

Point Breeze Marina
1459 NY-9P
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518 587-3397

Saratoga Lake Marina
549 Union Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518 796-5223

South Shore Marina
113 NY-9P
Malta, NY 12020
518 584-9125