History and Native American Influence
Great Sacandaga Lake Fishing
The area now covered by Great Sacandaga Lake was once a thriving valley, nurtured by the Sacandaga River and its tributaries. This fertile environment provided an abundance of game and fish, making it a vital resource for the indigenous Native Americans who inhabited the region. They recognized this land as a year-round source of sustenance, rich in biodiversity.
Land of the Waving Grasses
The name “Sacandaga” is believed to originate from a Native American term meaning “Land of the Waving Grasses,” which reflects the expansive wetlands and grassy areas that characterized the region long before it was submerged under water.
Settlers’ Discovery
With the arrival of settlers in the late 1700s, the area quickly gained a reputation for its excellent fishing and hunting opportunities. The fertile land and nearby hills provided ample timber, especially hemlock, which played a significant role in the local tanning industry.
Flooding Issues and Proposed Dam
The Sacandaga River watershed was prone to annual spring floods caused by rain and snowmelt, leading to significant damage in the valley and downstream along the Hudson River. As early as the mid-1860s, proposals for constructing dams to manage these floods were discussed but initially dismissed as impractical.
Construction of Sacandaga Reservoir
By the late 1890s, the concept of building a dam on the Sacandaga River gained traction. In 1922, mapping began for the new project, and by 1927, construction contracts for the Sacandaga Reservoir were awarded. This initiative resulted in the submersion of over 27 miles of the historic Sacandaga River Valley.
A Diverse Ecosystem
The fishing in Great Sacandaga Lake has always been remarkable, but the formation of the new lake enhanced it even further. With the rising waters, a multitude of fish species thrived, including northern pike, brown bullhead, rock bass, chain pickerel, walleye, brown trout, and panfish. The lake’s fertility increased due to decaying vegetation and agricultural runoff, creating an ideal habitat for fish to grow rapidly.
World Record Catch
On September 15, 1940, Peter Dubuc made history by catching a 46-pound, 2-ounce northern pike, setting a world record for the species. This catch secured Sacandaga’s place in the fishing annals, as no North American body of water has produced a pike rivaling Dubuc’s catch. Astonishingly, the fish was estimated to be only ten years old at the time it was caught, having been a small fingerling when the Conklingville Dam was completed.
Fishing in the 1940s-1950s
The 1940s and early 1950s were a golden era for fishing at Sacandaga. However, by the late 1950s, a gradual decline in fish populations began as nutrients from the soil and vegetation were depleted, leading to less fertile waters.
Fishing in the Early 1980s
By the early 1980s, conditions began to improve, albeit slowly. Despite the earlier decline, Great Sacandaga Lake continued to yield respectable numbers of large pike, showcasing the resilience of its aquatic ecosystem. Today, anglers still enjoy the lake’s fishing opportunities, often reminiscing about its storied past while casting lines for their own big catches.
Fishing Great Sacandaga Lake and Opportunities for Anglers
It continues to produce 20-plus pound northern pike every year; the largemouth bass fishing is superb and the walleye fishing the past several years has been the best in two decades. Much of the credit for this improvement goes to the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation. The GSLFF was formed in 1983 for the sole purpose of doing whatever it could to improve the fishery in the lake.
Comprised of representatives of area sportsmen’s clubs and a number of individual members, the group at its own expense stocked smelt in the lake under DEC permit and, for the past few decades, has been stocking browns and rainbows. Their efforts have been successful, and the chances of catching a five-plus pound trout in the lake are now excellent both summer and winter because trout can be taken in Great Sacandaga year-round.
Great Sacandaga Lake Fishing for Walleyes
Great Sacandaga Lake had not seen any stocked walleyes since 1973, a gap that raised concerns among local anglers. However, a significant change occurred on October 25, 2012, when the Great Sacandaga Lake Fish and Wildlife Federation (GSLFF) released 4,000 five to seven-inch walleye fingerlings into the lake. This initiative was made possible by a financial investment of $5,800, sourced from a combination of grants, donations, fishing contests, raffles, and other funding avenues.
The Impact of Stocking
The introduction of these fingerlings proved beneficial for the lake’s ecosystem. The newly released walleyes adapted quickly to their new environment, dispersing throughout the lake and presumably seeking out their native counterparts that had been living there for decades. This strategic stocking effort aimed to enhance the walleye population in Great Sacandaga Lake and improve fishing opportunities for local anglers.
Fishing Potential
With the addition of these fingerlings, the potential for walleye fishing in Great Sacandaga Lake has renewed excitement among fishing enthusiasts. As these fish grow and establish themselves, anglers can look forward to better fishing experiences and possibly even new record catches in the coming years. The initiative reflects a commitment to maintaining and enhancing the fishing heritage of Great Sacandaga Lake, ensuring it remains a prime destination for both seasoned anglers and newcomers alike.
Tactics of Adirondack Pike Fishing
The northern pike remains the star of Great Sacandaga Lake’s fish population, drawing anglers with the promise of 20-plus pounders lurking in the waters. However, catching these lunkers requires traditional tactics, as relatively few are caught using artificial lures.
- Live Bait Fishing:
- Using live bait is often the most effective method for targeting northern pike. Consider options like suckers or large minnows, as they mimic the pike’s natural prey.
- Dead Bait Techniques:
- Dead bait can also be productive. Use larger baits, such as herring or shad, and place them near structures like weed beds, submerged logs, or rocky outcrops where pike tend to ambush their prey.
- Trolling:
- Trolling with larger spoons or plugs can cover more water and locate active pike. Slow trolling near the edges of weed beds or along drop-offs can be particularly effective.
- Casting Techniques:
- For those who prefer casting, opt for larger, flashy lures that can provoke a strike. Focus on areas where pike are likely to be lurking, such as shallow bays or near points where the bottom structure changes.
- Time of Day:
- Early mornings and late evenings are prime times for pike fishing. During these periods, pike are often more active, making them more likely to strike.
- Seasonal Considerations:
- In the spring, focus on shallow areas as pike move to spawn. In the summer, target deeper water or shaded areas during the heat of the day. Fall can also be productive as pike prepare for winter.
- Patience and Persistence:
- Fishing for northern pike can require patience, as these fish can be wary. Don’t be discouraged by slow days; maintaining a varied approach will increase your chances over time.
Your Best Bet for the Great Sacandaga Lake Fishing
Your best bet is to head for one of the flooded bays in the southern basin of the lake during May, rig up with a 12-inch sucker on a suitable-sized hook beneath a big bobber, cast the rig into 6 – 10 feet of water, and then just wait for something to happen.
Fully 90% of the really big pike are caught that way, and the method works as well from shore as from a boat. If you’re a real trophy hunter, remember it’s generally conceded that the optimum bait for a big pike is another fish roughly one-third its own size. That’s not to say that a big pike will not hit a smaller bait but if you’re using a 12-inch sucker and a pike hits it you can bet that the pike will be at least 36 inches long, give or take an inch.
The Best Time for Adirondack Pike Fishing
The month of May is the very best time to hunt for big pike because all the right conditions are in place. The pike is in their post-spawn period, they’re hungry, the water is high and cool, and there’s an abundance of food available around the shoreline. Once the water begins to drop and warm, the pike head for the main body of the lake and they scatter widely.
Big northern pike is occasionally caught during other times of the year but they’re the exception rather than the rule – except during the ice fishing season. One thing to keep in mind when pike fishing during early May is that they’ll tend to move in groups. If you catch one, continually fish the swim and it’ll be likely to land another. There’s a better-than-even chance there’ll be another one in the area, and it might even be bigger than the one you just caught.
Walleye and Bass Fishing Tips
Big Northerns get all the press, but fishing great Sacandaga Lake also offers superb walleye and smallmouth bass. Much of the lake’s bottom structure is uneven and consists of gravel or rubble – ideal walleye habitat. These fish are well distributed throughout the lake and can be caught in the deeper northeast arm as well as in the shallower southern basin.
Live Bait at Dusk
For the shore-bound angler, live bait at dusk, dawn, or on overcast days is the best bet but nightcrawlers or minnow-imitation lures or spinners also produce. The boat angler has an advantage because of increased mobility and the lake’s walleye population can be taken by just about any method that works on other lakes.
Drift Fishing with Worm/Spinner Rigs for Walleyes
Drift fishing with worm/spinner or minnow/spinner rigs is a highly effective method for targeting walleyes in Great Sacandaga Lake. Jigging can also yield great results, as can downrigging with minnow-imitation lures. Here’s how to make the most of these techniques:
Key Techniques
- Drift Fishing Setup:
- Use a light to medium-action spinning rod with a sensitive tip to feel the bites.
- Attach a spinner rig to your line, and add a live worm or minnow to increase attraction.
- Using Jigs:
- When employing jigs, opt for heavier weights to maintain contact with the bottom. This can help you find the depth where walleyes are holding.
- Downrigging:
- Utilize downriggers to keep minnow-imitation lures at the desired depth. This method can cover a lot of water and is particularly effective during the summer months.
- Depth Sounder:
- A reliable depth sounder is essential for locating schools of fish and understanding the bottom structure. It helps identify areas where walleyes are likely to gather.
Seasonal Depth Preferences
- Summer Months: During warmer weather, walleyes typically reside near the bottom in depths of 25-40 feet. They tend to seek cooler waters during this time.
- Nighttime and Weather Conditions: Walleyes may move into shallower depths or suspend in the water column during the night, on cloudy days, or when there’s a slight chop on the surface, known as “walleye chop.” These conditions can make them more aggressive.
Light Sensitivity
- Fishing Technique: Remember that walleye are very light-sensitive. To maximize your chances of success, consider fishing during low-light conditions, such as dawn or dusk, and be mindful of using lighter tackle and quieter approaches to avoid spooking them.
Fishing Opportunities
Sacandaga offers so many fishing opportunities that it behooves every serious angler to visit the lake at least a few times a year for whatever type of fishing one prefers. With a 29-mile length and 125 miles of shoreline, you’ll never run out of places to fish. Remember, Great Sacandaga still means great fishing. There are many commercial launches available along the lake, but public launches are also available at:
- Northampton Beach State Campsite off Route 30
- One mile north of the Northville Bridge on Route 30
- On North Shore Road in the Town of Day in the northeast arm
- And off Lakeview Road in North Broadalbin
Original Article By Ron Kolodziej
About the Author
Ron Kolodziej guided and chartered on Great Sacandaga Lake for many years. He wrote a regular column for several newspapers, including Hamilton County News. He was an active member and past president of the NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association and was an inductee of the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame. Rob passed away in 2018.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
