The Best Fishing Spots In New York This Summer

Quick Take

• One river on this list grows Northern pike large enough to rival lake monsters, and the ecological reason behind it changes how you think about trophy fishing. See the trophy pike science →
• New York's two Great Lakes sit side by side but demand completely opposite fishing strategies, and knowing which is which could save your entire trip. Compare the two Great Lakes →
• One Finger Lake restricts your gear before you even cast a line, and the surprising reason why is what makes it one of the most unique spots in the state. Explore Canadice Lake's restrictions →
• Several top Hudson River species come with regulations so specific that one wrong keep could ruin your day, and most visiting anglers don't know the rules before they launch. Check Hudson River regulations →

New York has so many world-class fishing spots that it is difficult to pick just a few. From the massive waters of Lake Ontario to the quiet trout streams of the Catskills, every region offers splendid opportunities for anglers of every skill level. With endless options for both warm and cold water fishing, New York is an angler’s paradise. Continue reading to discover some of the best fishing spots New York has to offer.

Hudson River

Summer fishing on the Hudson River offers anglers a chance to land warm-weather species like striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluefish, and summer flounder.

From June 15 through November 30, there is a daily limit of five black bass (15-inch minimum). For striped bass, from April 1 through November 30, the slot limit is one fish daily between 23 and 28 inches. From April 1 through November 30, retaining American shad is strictly prohibited, and any specimens caught must be released immediately.

Oneida Lake

Summer fishing on Oneida Lake offers exceptional action for walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass, with gamefish moving to deeper drop-offs or weed edges. Regulations generally allow a daily limit of five walleye (15-inch minimum) and five black bass (largemouth and smallmouth, with a 12-inch minimum length), with more generous limits for panfish such as yellow perch.

Black Lake

Located in upstate New York, Black Lake is a popular summer fishing destination featuring over 60 miles of shoreline, expansive weedbeds, and rocky shoals. During the summer, anglers can expect to catch abundant black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. Special regulations apply, including a black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) season running from June 15 through November 30, with a daily limit of five and a strict minimum size limit of 12 inches.

St. Lawrence River

Located in Northern New York along the border with Canada, the St. Lawrence River flows northeast from Lake Ontario through the Thousand Islands region. In the summer, anglers cast their lines for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, Northern pike, yellow perch, and muskellunge. Regulations for the river include a black bass season running from June 15 through November 30 (minimum length 12 inches, daily limit of five, and a walleye season from the first Saturday in May through March 15, with a daily limit of three.

Northern pike can reach over 45 inches in length and weigh between 30 and 40 pounds. Because the river is an immense, nutrient-rich system with cold waters and abundant forage, it provides the ideal habitat for growing these giant apex predators.

Finger Lakes

New York’s 11 glacially formed Finger Lakes (Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Honeoye, Canadice, Hemlock and Conesus) in Central and Western New York are popular fishing destinations. Ranging in size from tiny Canadice Lake (642 acres, 30 feet deep) to massive Seneca Lake (43,342 acres, 650 feet deep), they offer diverse aquatic habitats for both warm-water and cold-water gamefish.

Canadice Lake

Located in Western New York, Canadice Lake offers exceptional summer fishing in an undeveloped, wilderness setting. During the summer, anglers can expect to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and various other panfish, as well as lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.

Black bass must have a minimum size of 12 inches with a daily limit of five from June 15 through November 30. Boats are restricted to 17 feet or less, and motors must be 10 horsepower or lower.

Seneca Lake

Located in central New York, Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, provides excellent summer fishing in both its warm shallow bays and deep, cold waters. Lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch are found in abundance here. Trout and salmon have a year-round open season with a combined daily limit of 5 fish. Minimum lengths are 23 inches for lake trout, 21 inches for rainbow trout/steelhead, and 15 inches for brown trout and Atlantic salmon.

Great Lakes

New York State is bordered by two of the Great Lakes: Lake Erie to the west and Lake Ontario to the north, which are connected by the Niagara River and the St. Lawrence River. These lakes are world-class fishing destinations. However, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario offer very different fishing experiences. Lake Erie is a shallow, warm lake, while Lake Ontario is deep and cold, renowned for its deep-water species.

Lake Erie

If you are fishing in New York, be sure to visit Lake Erie. Walleye are abundant throughout the lake.

Anglers visit specifically for these prized game fish, which regularly reach trophy size. Average catches range from 18 to 28 inches in length and weigh between four and eight pounds. However, true trophy walleye easily exceed 30 inches and can weigh more than 10 pounds.

Lake Ontario

Summer fishing on New York’s Lake Ontario, located in upstate New York along the state’s northern border, centers on trolling deep, cool offshore waters for trophy Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout/steelhead, and brown trout. Regulations allow a combined daily limit of 5 fish for trout and salmon, with minimum size limits of 25 inches for lake trout, 21 inches for rainbow trout/steelhead, and 15 inches for brown trout and salmon.