Top 7 Places To Fish In Upstate New York

Whether you’re a brand new angler in upstate New York, or you’re visiting and want to spend some time on the water while you’re there, you need to know where the best fishing spots are. The good news is that there’s lots of places where you can get some quality angling time in. Check out this list, grab your boat gas tank bladder, and make sure you save some time to explore these fishing spots. 

Before You Go Fishing

When getting ready to fish in New York, you’ll need to ensure you’re prepared. For example, you’ll need a fishing license, which you can obtain online. Make sure you have this before you go on the water. 

If you’re taking your boat, then you will need to make sure that you have all the essential gear with you too. That includes a radio, life jackets, food and water, as well as fuel bladders marine. A good fuel bladder for boats will allow you to stay out on the water for longer. 

1. Lake Erie

When it comes to walleye, there’s no better spot than Lake Erie. It’s one of New York’s premier walleye fisheries, so you can catch them all day. You can use several different fishing methods to catch them too, such as trolling, drifting or casting, so you can pick the method that suits you best. Make sure you load up those fuel bladders marine, as you’ll be out there for hours. 

The walleye available here reaches amazing sizes too. On average, you’ll be able to catch fish that reach 18-28 inches long and up to 8 pounds each. There have been trophy sized walleye caught here too, with some of the biggest reaching 30 inches and 10 pounds, so you may just get lucky. 

2. Oneida Lake

Oneida Lake is famed for its clarity, with clear waters giving you an unprecedented view into them. It makes it an excellent fishing spot, so if you’re visiting upstate New York you want to make sure that you visit and see it for yourself. 

The water’s quality has drastically improved since the 90’s when zebra mussels began showing up there. This also allows for aquatic vegetation to grow as deep as 20 feet below the surface of the lake. Those weeds allow for great breeding grounds, so you can spend all day out here on your boat. Just don’t forget to bring your fuel bladder for boats. 

3. Cayuga Lake

This is the second oldest of the Finger Lakes, and there’s so much here for anglers. If you’re ready to spend the day out here, make sure you bring provisions and your boat gas tank bladder, as you’re going to spend a lot of time catching all sorts of fish. 

As the waters are so deep, it makes it a particularly good hunting ground for trout and salmon. At it’s deepest, the lake is 435 feet deep! You can find dense vegetation towards the northern end of the lake, too. With so much on offer it’s a must visit angling spot. 

4. St. Lawrence River

When it comes to diverse fishing spot, there are none quite as diverse as the St. Lawrence River. No matter what your skill level is, there will be something here to suit you. With 700 miles of river before it reaches the Atlantic Ocean, there’s a lot here for you to explore. Bring your fuel bladders marine so you’re well prepared before you start fishing. 

Another key benefit of the river is that it hosts a large variety of fish, too. You’ll be able to find walleye, muskies, bass, perch, pikes, and much more besides. If you enjoy a wide variety of fish when you’re angling, then you’ll have a great time here. 

5. Lake Ontario

If you’re looking for upstate New York fishing, Lake Ontario won’t be the first place that comes to mind. However, you shouldn’t discount it. The lake’s eastern basin offers you an exhilarating angling experience that you won’t want to miss. 

The waters here are rough, so if you’re taking a boat make sure you have a marine radio with you, and that your fuel bladder for boats is full before you head off. If you don’t want to handle those waters, not to worry. The trout and salmon that call the lake home come close to the shore in the summer, so you can catch plenty right from the shore itself. 

6. Chautauqua Lake

This lake is another good spot for those looking for a wide variety of fish. With so many on offer to you, you’ll be able to reel in a massive haul after a day on the water. Bring your boat gas tank bladder and provisions so you don’t have to miss a minute of the action here. 

You’ll find both largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, and panfish here. You can head to the southern basin for a shallower fishing spot, if you’re looking for largemouth bass specifically. The northern basin gets a lot deeper, and has lots of kettle holes. 

7. Onondaga Lake

You may not have considered this lake at first, as it does have a history of being polluted. In recent years though, it has been cleaned up and now is a breeding ground for a whole variety of fish. As such, it’s become a hidden gem for those looking to fish in upstate New York. 

You’ll be able to find black bass and carp here in great numbers, so you can spend all day here catching them. As well as them there are largemouth and small bass, pike, walleye, sunfish, perch, catfish, and much more. Make sure you bring your boat gas tank bladder with you, as you’ll be out here for hours.

These are some of the best places to go fishing in upstate New York right now. With so many options available to you, you should be able to find just what you’re looking for here.