THOSE who like to fish the sweet waters of upstate New York, as well as Long Island, marked the opening last weekend of the walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge seasons.
Much of the high-quality walleye and tiger muskellunge fishing across New York comes as a direct result of successful fish- stocking efforts by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Top walleye fishing waters in central New York include Honeoye Lake, Conesus Lake and Whitney Point Reservoir. Oneida Lake also remains a top bet for walleye anglers in this area. To the west, Chautauqua and Findley Lakes are good fishing spots, while Canadarago Lake, Lake Champlain, Saratoga Lake, Union Falls Flow and Great Sacandaga Lake all provide good walleye fishing opportunities in the state’s eastern half. Black Lake, just northeast of Watertown in Jefferson County, has developed into an excellent walleye fishery.
River anglers should try the Oswego River, the St. Lawrence River below Ogdensburg and the Chemung, Oswegatchie and Hudson rivers. The latter’s walleye population has increased in recent years, downstream of the Troy dam. The lower sections of many Hudson River tributaries, including Catskill and Rondout creeks and the Wallkill River, also offer excellent opportunities. Long Island anglers can find good walleye fishing in Lake Ronkonkoma and Fort Pond, both of which have been successfully stocked.
Some of New York’s finest walleye fishing opportunities can be found in the Great Lakes – Lake Erie and Lake Ontario both continue to produce trophy-class walleye. In Lake Ontario, good walleye populations can be found in Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay and Braddocks Bay, as well as Black River Bay, Chaumont Bay and Henderson Harbor.
Top pike fishing can typically be enjoyed immediately after the opening of the season, when large pike that have just finished spawning can be found actively foraging for food.