Black Lake Fishing Is An Angler’s Dream

Man holds big bass while Black Lake fishing.
Mike Seymour shows why bass are the most popular species in Black Lake.

Black Lake Fishing is A Freshwater Fisherman’s Paradise

Nestled in the heart of New York, Black Lake offers anglers an idyllic fishing experience. With its combination of campgrounds, cottages, boat rentals, marinas, bait shops, guides, and diners, it is a true angler-friendly community. Fishing in Black Lake is a year-round pursuit, making it a destination for all seasons. Whether you’re targeting trophy largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, black crappies, yellow perch, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, bullheads, catfish, rock bass, muskellunge, or longnose gar, this lake provides a diverse and rich fishery. In fact, anglers are likely to catch a variety of species in any given outing, adding to the excitement and challenge of fishing here.

About Black Lake

Covering over 8,000 acres and stretching nearly 20 miles along St. Lawrence County Route 6, Black Lake is the largest of the Indian River lakes. The lake is surrounded by a diverse landscape, including marshes, woodlands, farmland, and cottage developments, making its 60 miles of shoreline varied and rich in fish-holding habitats. Whether you’re fishing along weedy bays, weed lines, shoals, islands, drop-offs, rock piles, channels, tributaries, or necked-down areas, Black Lake offers abundant opportunities for successful fishing.

The lake’s maximum depth approaches 30 feet, with an average depth of eight feet. While the channels and shoals are well-marked, anglers should use a lake chart or depth finder when navigating unfamiliar waters. Due to the shallowness of the lake, high winds can create significant chop on the open water. However, there are plenty of sheltered areas around the lake that remain calm, providing ideal fishing conditions away from the wind. These calm, out-of-the-wind spots make fishing on Black Lake enjoyable in any weather.

Fishing Black Lake 

National fishing publications have consistently ranked Black Lake among the top-ten bass waters in the country, a testament to the quality of its fishery. The lake is known for its outstanding bass fishing, and special regulations are in place to protect this resource. To help maintain healthy bass populations, Black Lake enforces a minimum length limit of 15 inches and a daily limit of three bass per angler. Additionally, bass fishing is only allowed during the traditional bass season, which runs from the third Saturday in June until November 30. Notably, Black Lake is exempt from the statewide catch-and-release bass season, allowing anglers to target and harvest bass within the regulated guidelines.

Species of Fish 

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are the most sought-after species in Black Lake, attracting anglers throughout the open fishing season. These bass are found throughout the lake, with the best fishing occurring during early summer and again in the fall. In mid-summer, the prime fishing hours are early morning and evening, when the bass are most active.

To catch largemouth bass, anglers should focus on areas with weed lines, openings in the weeds, weedy shoals, and rocky points. The best techniques include traditional offerings like plastic worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, and tube jigs. Crankbaits and surface lures can also be highly effective, depending on the water conditions and time of day.

Walleyes

Walleye have made an impressive comeback in Black Lake, much to the delight of local anglers. Thanks to stocking efforts and habitat improvements led by the Black Lake Fish and Game Association in collaboration with the DEC Region Six Fisheries Staff, walleye populations have flourished in recent years. While incidental catches of walleye occur throughout the lake, an increasing number of anglers are targeting them specifically, with many catching these prized fish regularly.

Common techniques for walleye fishing include casting bucktail jigs tipped with a crawler or trolling crawler harnesses and diving minnow plugs. The best spots for walleye fishing are areas with mild current, such as the Indian River inlet, the Narrows, the Route 58 causeway, and the Oswegatchie outlet.

Black Crappies

Black crappie is arguably the most popular panfish species in Black Lake, though other panfish such as bluegills, yellow perch, pumpkinseeds, and bullheads are also abundant. After ice-out, crappies migrate into marshy bays where they stay through April and early May, providing anglers with some of the best fishing of the year. During this period, crappies often gather in large schools, holding tight to brush or other submerged cover.

The crappie fishing remains excellent during the spawning season, which runs from late May to early June, when the fish congregate on rocky points. As summer progresses, crappies move to deeper waters and disperse throughout the lake, making it more challenging to find them. Anglers should focus on shoals and weed edges to increase their chances of success. During the autumn months, crappie pressure is minimal, and mid-lake shoals and rock piles become the most productive fishing locations.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass, while not as abundant as largemouth bass, thrive in Black Lake and offer exciting fishing opportunities. In June and early July, the best locations are rocky points, where crankbaits often produce the best catches. During mid-summer, smallmouth bass are typically found in deeper water near shoals, feeding under low-light conditions. Live crayfish and Senko-type worms are effective baits during this time.

As autumn approaches, smallmouth bass begin congregating on rocky shoals, and minnow baits replace crayfish as the preferred live bait. Crankbaits continue to be a top choice for catching these fish. Fall is considered the peak season for smallmouth bass fishing on Black Lake, as the fish are more concentrated and easier to locate.

Northern Pike

Northern pike are often considered the “fish for all seasons” in Black Lake. While smaller pike are common, fish weighing between four to seven pounds are frequently caught, and larger pike, even reaching double figures, are possible at any time of the year. These fish are widespread throughout the lake, as northern pike favor weedy cover.

Spring is one of the best times to target northern pike, as they can be found in almost any weedy bay, particularly along the edges of the weeds. Casting spinners or spoons, or suspending a live shiner below a bobber, is an effective approach. For summer fishing, look for pike along weed lines in sandy or gravelly areas rather than mucky ones. Trolling with minnow plugs and using live shiners beneath a bobber also yields excellent results.

Pike fishing remains productive throughout the fall, with early autumn providing the best action. The green weeds along weedy shoals and weed lines are prime areas to cast artificial lures. During winter, ice anglers target Mile Arm Bay, the area from Rollway Bay to Conger Island, and the large weed flats extending from Fisherman’s Landing to Camp Carol Camps.

man holds walleye while enjoying some black lake fishing.
Walleye are making a comeback in Black Lake, to the delight of Bob Flavin.

 

Accessing Black Lake

Black Lake offers convenient access for anglers looking to enjoy a day of fishing. The primary access point is a state-run boat launch located off County Route 6, approximately a mile and a half southwest of Edwardsville. This launch features parking for up to 75 trailers, making it a popular choice for boaters. However, due to its popularity, it can become crowded during weekends and holidays, especially during peak fishing seasons.

In addition to the state boat launch, many cottages and campgrounds around the lake provide private boat launches for their guests, offering more convenient access for those staying nearby. With multiple access points and a range of resources available for anglers, Black Lake is a welcoming destination for fishing enthusiasts looking to explore its rich fishery. Whether you’re arriving by boat or utilizing a local launch, there are plenty of opportunities to access the lake and enjoy a day of fishing.

Original Article By Mike Seymour

About The Author

Captain Mike Seymour is a U.S.C.G. and NYS licensed guide who offers fishing trips on the St. Lawrence River, Black Lake, and other St. Lawrence County waters.  He is a member and past president of the NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association and member of Outdoor Writers’ Association of America.  He writes a weekly newspaper column and contributes to several magazines.

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