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Learning to flyThe Adirondacks is home to many amazing adventures, and it is also the perfect place to learn to fly fish. Being a fly fisher’s paradise, you will be sure not to leave without eventually catching something big.Cast away -
Catching fish and making memoriesFollow along on a kayak bass fishing adventure before the sun rises over Lake Champlain.A good tale -
One fish, two fishDid you know that Tupper Lake is home to some of the best and most secretive fishing holes in the state? In fact, it has been reported that the state record walleye may possibly make their home right here in Tupper Lake.Drop a line -
"Hard-Water" HeavenMake no mistake, Schroon Lake does have a following of its own among hard-water anglers in the know. The reason is simple: the fishing can be fantastic. There are tons of possibilities every time you walk on its water in winter.Get your tip ups -
So you like trout fishing?You should try tossing a line in the cool waters that dot and run through the region. Maybe you'll hook onto a nice rainbow or brook trout. In Hamilton County, the fishing is year-round.Reel 'em in -
Reelin' in the yearsFly fishing can tie generations together. Follow along as one fisherman recalls his journey fishing on the Ausable River.So fly -
Get "hooked"Whether it's smallmouth or largemouth bass you're after, Lake Champlain has an abundance of both. The bass fishing here is excellent! And so is fishing for just about everything else!Cast away today -
Catching fish and making memoriesThe coldest place in the Northeast each winter is Saranac Lake. Here, there is excellent ice fishing and good, safe conditions abound.Fish on! -
Fishing with a guideAdirondack guides can help school you with anything from fishing to hiking in the region. Join one of the region's many guides on a fishing adventure that will surely be a highlight of your trip to Lake Placid and the Adirondacks.Join us today! -
A REEL good morningTupper Lake locals wake up an hour earlier to live an hour more. How do they spend their mornings? Fishing on Tupper Lake and enjoying the moment.Good morning!
Fishing in the Adirondacks
With over 3,000 lakes and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, it's no wonder why anglers are drawn to the Adirondacks! It's time to grab your tackle box and head to the water. We promise that you'll leave with some great fishing tales, and maybe a trophy fish, too!
Lake fishing
The waters of the Adirondacks are excellent for fishing, especially on the many lakes and ponds! Whether you're after lake trout, landlocked salmon, bass, pike, or panfish, there's water for every kind of angler here. Lake Champlain has first-class bass habitat (large and smallmouth!) that attracts casual anglers and professional tournament fishermen alike. Lake Durant, just east of Blue Mountain Lake, is home to a population of stocked tiger muskies, a challenging but rewarding fish to contend with in warm water fisheries. Fishermen are known for their tales, but rumor has it Tupper Lake is home to record breaking walleye. Looking for something more secluded? Take a trip into the backcountry to fish remote lakes and ponds in wilderness areas. Drop a line and find out for yourself what is swimming below the surface!
And you don't need to be in a motorboat, canoe, or kayak to fish Adirondack lakes! From the shores and docks, the whole family can cast into pristine waters in hopes of landing a big fish.
Fly fishing
New York's state fish, the brook trout, is famous for good reason. Found in many cold water rivers, streams, and ponds throughout the Adirondacks, the brook trout is a prize that all anglers seek. The West Branch Ausable River is world-renowned for trout fishing, and that has a lot to do with pocket water. This is where the best trout live. Slower sections of the river are marked with deep pools with undercut banks just waiting for your fly to drop in. The Ausable is not the only river prime for fly fishing. The Saranac, Hudson, Sacandaga, Schroon, Salmon, St. Regis, and Boquet rivers are all worthy destinations. In the St. Regis Canoe Area, backcountry ponds are populated with brook trout and other species that beckon fly fishermen. There are plenty of fish and ponds here: 50 different ponds sit within the Canoe Area borders and are popular amongst fly fishermen. Bring a lightweight canoe so you can fish the waters deep in the wilderness!
Ice fishing
You don't have to abandon your poles just because it's winter! Join the hardy and lively community of ice fishermen and women here in the Adirondacks to see what you can find out on the "hard water." Beneath the ice are tons of fish! Looking for northern pike? We've got 'em! On the first Saturday in February each year, join thousands of other fishermen for the Northern Challenge Fishing Derby on Simon Pond in Tupper Lake. Other ice fishing hot spots include Fourth Lake, in Inlet; Lake Colby, just outside Saranac Lake; and Schroon Lake. These deep lakes hold plenty of landlocked salmon (Lake Colby) and lake trout (Schroon Lake and Fourth Lake). These fish typically cruise in deeper waters where it's cooler during open water seasons, but in winter, they may be found swimming a few feet below the ice. Driving by these popular ice fishing lakes, you'll notice communities of shanties -- a sure sign the fish are biting. Get your augers and tip-ups ready and meet your friends at the lake!
Regulations
The Department of Environmental Conservation has a wealth of fishing information on their website. Before setting off on your next fishing trip, it is important to familiarize yourself with regulations, which can vary between waterbodies and seasons. Regulations regarding live baitfish, invasive species, and catch and release policies are all put in place to ensure that fisheries remain healthy and productive.
And don't forget to get a fishing license! These can be purchased online or at a variety of outfitters and retail stores in the Adirondacks.
