Good local fishing spots?
Bill emails, fishing pole in hand (OK, we're assuming that part):
I have lived in the area for almost 15 years, and my fishing gear has been in the area for 12 (after leaving SUNY Albany). I don't have a boat here, but I love fishing for bass, walleye, northern pike, etc.
Can anyone recommend any good local spots to fish from shore, or any local lakes/rivers that have inexpensive canoe/boat rentals? I would love to take my 4 year old out for a day, or grab a couple of friends and a 12 pack. Suggestions are needed!
Anyone have tips for Bill? Please share!
photo: Trevor Manternach
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
Don't bother with the PFR at the confluence of the Quakenkill and the Poestenkill. It's mostly used as a swimming hole these days.
Couldn't catch anything in the Battenkill either, but I may just be a lousy fisherman...
This link may help:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/44854.html
... said mstyne on Aug 24, 2010 at 4:10 PM | link
We were just camping out at Northampton Beach and the fish were huge! A guy was throwing cheetos into the water and about 4 of them were jumping out of the water and eating them. I would guess they swim all over Sacandaga Lake so anywhere near there would probably yield good fishin'.
Good luck!
... said CJ on Aug 24, 2010 at 4:12 PM | link
i used to fish in the Tomhannock Reservoir (out route 7 past troy, in pittstown). on any given night you can see people here and there fishing from shore. i don't know if they're catching anything, but it's worth a trip. :)
... said Kim D. on Aug 25, 2010 at 12:09 AM | link
Saratoga Lake is a really great bass fishing lake. While I do fish off of my boat, the bass stay close to the shore in the weeds and warmer water and it's easy to cast from shore.
The public boat launch is one place to fish from, but there are other public access points along the south shore.
What to use is very important in bass fishing. Don't bring nightcrawlers from Stewart's and embarass yourself (i used to do that). The rubber worms they have now are unbelievably effective. Look up "sanko" worms, or most other rubber grubs that you can find at Dick's.
Also, dont put a bobber on that line. Use a weighted hook, cast and jig the line, slowly reeling it in so there is no slack. Bass like the movement.
Start at 530am in a hot spot and you'll have hooked 20 bass by lunchtime.
... said Tom N on Aug 25, 2010 at 10:28 AM | link
Just be aware that to fish the Tomhannock Reservoir you'll have to have an additional license from the City of Troy.
http://www.troyny.gov/permits/fishinglicense.html
... said James on Aug 25, 2010 at 3:30 PM | link
It has been a few years since I posted this, but I now have a great 3 person canoe with seats and rod holders, and would love to find some good spots to hit with canoe. The bass were huge in Thomspons lake :)
Any new suggestions?
... said Bill on Aug 1, 2012 at 2:57 PM | link
We have been wondering about Thompsons, so that's great to hear! For the past month and a half, we've been hitting the shores of Shaver Pond up at Grafton:
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=grafton+lakes&fb=1&gl=us&hq=grafton+lakes&cid=0,0,11063766641547752925&sa=X&ei=2Y0aUN_iI8nE0AH7zoCYCw&ved=0CIABEPwSMAE
We just bought kayaks and can't wait to try them out - this pond is perfect for it! Good Luck :)
... said Jeanine on Aug 2, 2012 at 10:27 AM | link
coxsackie reservoir, south of albany and lake myosotis in berne, close to thompsons lake. are two good fishing spots you could get your canoe on
... said D on Sep 18, 2012 at 8:31 PM | link