Good local fishing spots?

fishing pole reelBill 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

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

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!

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. :)

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.

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

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?

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 :)

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

HI
I just moved to Delmar and was told that their is a Bethlehem lake for fishing. can someone tell me how to find it please??

Thanks

Fish Outlet Road, on Ballston Lake just off of Rte/ 50. Perfect for your four- year- old . Fish from the road near the bridge or at other designated areas.... Sunfish, perch, bass, turtles etc...
Also try Lake Lonely at the boat rental, all pan fish.

Here a some of my favorites for fishing and/or canoeing.

Locally:

Round Lake on Rte 9 in Saratoga County.
Thompson's Lake in Berne.
Mohawk River - launch at Lock 7 in Niskayuna or Colonie Town Park.
Six Mile Reservoir off Fuller Road in Colonie/Albany
Kayderosseras Creek (inlet/outlet to Saratoga Lake)

If you are up for a little drive:

Paradox Lake is beautiful, loaded with fish of all kinds and is just a 90 minute trip up the Northway - about four miles off Exit 28. Launch at the state campground.

Schroon Lake, also a few miles off exit 28 is another beautiful lake with a public launch in town but quite a bit larger than Paradox.

There are many, many more - especially if you are willing to do day or overnight trips up to the Adirondacks.

Mohawk east of 32; there are a few places to get out and walk the shale flats. Great area for watching wildlife, chasing crayfish with the kids when the water is low, or launching a kayak/canoe from Peebles Island. Fishing can be quite good at times too. Just stay away from any waterfalls or dams. And don't plan on keeping anything.

Coming into town for a conference this week and was wondering if there's anyplace to try out my new fly rod while I'm here! if not, I'm bringing my spinning rod as well for a little early morning bank fishing, so just looking for some quiet morning communion with ma (nature, that is). We'll be up at the marriot on Wolf road--anywhere nice around there? thanks kids! keep your lines wet!

Have never been there, but Rensselaer Lake (6 mile waterworks) is just down the road and has warmwater species and maybe a few stocked trout still hanging around.

I just fished Saratoga Lake yesterday for the first time. Not much action as there aren't really any spots to fish from shore besides the boat launch and it's pretty tough to get out to the outskirts of the weed beds there, where I'm sure there are some biggins sitting! Gonna give round lake a shot today right off of route 9 with my 4 year old.

I live in coxsackie and fish the coxsackie resevoir almost every night after work with my wife and son. There are good fish in there but you definitely cannot put a conoe/boat of any kind in there, unless you want to get tossed in the slammer for the night that is. Another downside is that you need an additional permit to fish there which is $10 and you have to get it at the village building during regular business hours.

I'm actively searching new places to fish in the area. And will definitely report back with my findings along the way.

I'm in the process of forming a local fishing club to connect with other fisherman with the same interests. The main focus will be getting kids into the sport and away from the bad distractions that a lot of kids unfortunately get into. If anyone is interested in getting it off the ground with me let me know!

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