Gone Fishing: The top three fishing spots in upstate New York

There’s no shortage of places to fish in upstate New York – in fact, it’s one of the best places for anglers looking for a world-class fishing experience! Lake Erie, Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake, and Black Lake are some of the best fishing spots in upstate New York.
Some New York record fish have been caught in this area – how about catching a 4-pound, 8-ounce Lake Erie trout? Or catch a massive 33-pound coho salmon from Lake Ontario? This is what New York State has to offer to avid anglers looking to catch big bucks!
Read on to find out the top three fishing destinations that should be on your must-have list the next time you’re in upstate New York. The fishing possibilities are endless!
The three best locations to achieve your goal in upstate New York
1. The Black Lake
Spanning over 11,000 acres, Black Lake offers avid anglers some of the best fishing adventures in the region. Although it is a popular fishing and holiday destination, it is far from the crowds and offers many secluded spots for a quiet day of fishing.
High winds make the open water choppy at times, but you won’t have trouble finding a sheltered spot to cast your rod. As one of the area’s most preferred fishing destinations, anglers will never run short of fishing supplies, boat rentals or bait.
Some of the most common fish species found in this lake include:
- Black crappie
- Bulls
- catfish
- Largemouth bass
- muskellunge
- Northern pike
The main fishing season is summer and fall, especially if you are a fishing enthusiast and want to catch largemouth bass. Located two hours north of Syracuse, Black Lake offers a wide range of accommodations for anglers and vacationers alike.
2. Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario offers some of the best sport fishing experiences and is the 13th largest lake in the world. Covering an area of over 7,300 square miles, it’s easy to get lost in this lake if you’re not careful!
The lake’s breadth allows fishing with three rods per angler. Fishing enthusiasts will not run out of fish species either, as the following species are often caught:
- Deep voice
- Crappie
- Salmon
- Sunfish
- trout
The lake’s extensive shoreline (over 726 miles) gives anglers the opportunity to fish from shore while trying different fishing techniques for big catches. If you’re keen to catch gray salmon, brown trout, sea bass, or coho salmon, head to Niagara Bar on Lake Ontario.
To help kill off the quiet hours, why not play this epic Catch of the Day game while you make the most of your fishing adventure!
It is bordered to the south by New York and to the north by Ontario, Canada. The closest American city to Lake Ontario is the city of Rochester, which is about 37 km away. The lake has many other activities besides fishing, such as hiking, bird watching, and kayaking.
3. Chautauqua Lake
If bass fishing is your scene, you need to head to Chautauqua Lake! Located in the southwestern region of New York State, this massive lake spans 13,000 acres and features stunning views to enjoy while you wait to catch your fish.
You can fish this lake year-round, and it offers over 40 miles of shoreline for bank fishing. The natural habitat is very fertile, providing a healthy aquatic environment for a wide range of fish species. You can expect to pull muskellunge, panfish, walleye, perch or muskie.
Boat launching ramps are placed in various places around the lake, and the fisherman-friendly community will ensure you never run out of fishing supplies. Campsites located along the banks of the lake make it easy for you to cast your rod when you’re not on the water.
Lake Chautauqua is located in Chautauqua County, with the city of Jamestown at its southern end and the village of Mayville at its north end. Other activities include boat trips, hiking in the beautiful Chautauqua Gorge State Forest, and sailing.
Final thoughts
While these top three fishing locations should be on every angler’s must-go list, the Upstate New York area offers many other excellent fishing locations. How about exploring Lake Conesus, a great ice fishing location?
Other exciting fishing destinations in this area that should not be missed include Lake Honeoye for its wide variety of fish species and Lake Erie for boat fishing. One thing you can be sure of when visiting upstate New York as a hunter, is that you will always be welcomed by like-minded hunters!

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