UpState NY lake recommendation

[tommat]

Looking to find the best smallmouth bass lake for a trip with my Dad.

Anyone have any thoughts on places and or cabins/lodges?

Thanks..

Tommy

[cweb325]

Tommy

I live in Syracuse NY and fish extensively. While I can't help you out with places to stay, the list of excellent/good smallmouth lakes is long.

For numbers AND size, you can't go wrong with Lake Erie, or Lake Ontario's south shore from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay. Lots and lots of smallmouth with solid chances at bass from 5-6 lbs. The downside is weather. If there is a big blow, you won't be able to fish the open lakes, however there is sheltered fishing in Buffalo Harbor and the Upper Niagara River at Lake Erie, and Sodus Bay, Port Bay, Little Sodus bay, and Oswego Harbor, in Lake Ontario. If you decide on either of those two lakes, I would recommend staying near the sheltered water areas so that you have the option of fishing the sheltered water if you need it. I have fished that area of Lake Ontario for 30 years, and the bass fishing has only gotten better and better, although it has changed some with the zebra mussels and gobies. I only made it to L. Ontario for bass once last season, but my buddy and I boated close to 70 bass, some pushing 5 lbs. for one day in late August. You didn't say when you wanted to come, or if you are bringing your own boat, or how long you want to stay, but August would definitely be the best bet for those lakes, as the bass are schooling heavily then.

Other solid bets are Oneida lake near Syracuse, most of the Finger Lakes, especially Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, and Seneca, Lower Saranac and L. Champlain in the Adirondacks, and Chautauqua Lake at Jamestown.

All of the lakes I have mentioned are excellent for other species as well.

PM me and I can give you more details if you want.

CW