Lake Trout Fishing In NY – Identification, Habitat, Tips, Techniques
Understanding lake trout fishing in New York State provides anglers with exciting opportunities to catch these cold-water predators. With their unique traits and habitat preferences, lake trout offer a challenging and rewarding experience for those exploring the depths of New York’s lakes and waterways.
This guide covers lake trout fishing, including their identification, habitat preferences, seasonal behaviors, and effective techniques. New York’s diverse aquatic ecosystems, from the Finger Lakes to the Great Lakes, offer excellent opportunities for anglers.
Join us as we explore lake trout fishing in New York, revealing tips for success and helping you create memorable experiences in the state’s natural beauty.
Learn more – fish species of NY.
How To Identify Lake Trout
Lake trout, renowned for their impressive size and unique characteristics, pose a distinctive challenge for anglers navigating the waters of New York State.
Distinguished by their deeply forked caudal fin, lake trout stand apart from other trout species found in New York’s waterways. Their dorsal side displays a slate grey to greenish hue, gradually lightening towards the undersides. Cream to yellow spots embellish their head, body, and dorsal and caudal fins, while their lower fins often boast an orange-red hue with a narrow white edge.
Young lake trout have seven to twelve interrupted parr marks along their sides, which help in their identification during early growth. Unlike brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake trout do not have a black stripe on the edge of their anal and pelvic fins. Breeding males have a dark lateral stripe along their sides.
In New York’s aquatic ecosystems, lake trout, classified within the chars, share traits with other char species. They have white leading edges on all lower fins and light-colored spots on a dark background, which helps distinguish them from local salmon and trout.
Lake trout bodies are typically greyish to brownish with white or nearly white spots on the dorsal, adipose, and caudal fins. They do not have red, black, or haloed spots, which further differentiates them from other native trout species.
Habitat
In New York, lake trout inhabit a variety of deep-water environments, primarily residing in lakes with depths exceeding 50 feet. However, they can also be found in much deeper waters, with some individuals occupying depths well beyond 200 feet. Additionally, lake trout can be found in the deep freshwater rivers that serve as tributaries to large lakes such as the Great Lakes.
Lake trout prefer cold, oxygen-rich waters, thriving in environments characterized by these conditions. During the period of summer stratification in dimictic lakes, lake trout tend to become pelagic, often residing at depths ranging from 20 to 60 meters (approximately 66 to 197 feet). This behavior allows them to find optimal temperatures and oxygen levels necessary for their survival and well-being.
Due to their preference for cold, oligotrophic (low-nutrient) waters, lake trout are typically slow-growing fish. Their habitat choice reflects their adaptation to environments where competition for resources may be lower, allowing them to thrive in conditions that may be less suitable for other species.
In New York’s diverse freshwater ecosystems, lake trout play a vital ecological role as apex predators, contributing to the balance and health of aquatic communities. Understanding their habitat preferences and behavior is crucial for conservation efforts and sustainable management practices aimed at preserving these iconic fish populations for future generations of anglers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Natural Food Source
Lake trout, occupying a prominent position near the top of the food chain within their habitats, display diverse feeding habits influenced by their life stages and environmental conditions. As juveniles, they primarily consume aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddis flies, and midges, alongside plankton, terrestrial insects, worms, leeches, and aquatic invertebrates.
Their voracious appetites persist into adulthood, where they exhibit a broad dietary spectrum, preying on various prey items they can capture. Lake trout are known to consume crustaceans and small fish, with smelt, minnows, and sculpin being typical prey fish. In certain environments they frequently target brook/brown trout, a predatory habit that enables lake trout to grow to great sizes.
Due to their preference for pelagic waters, lake trout encounter limited predation from mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Consequently, their primary predators consist of other large, predatory fish and birds of prey. Both juvenile and mature lake trout face similar predation pressures, with common predators including eagles, muskies, and northern pike.
Understanding the dietary preferences and ecological interactions of lake trout is crucial for conservation efforts and ecosystem management. By comprehending their role within the food web and the impacts of their feeding habits, conservationists and fisheries managers can develop strategies to maintain balanced ecosystems and mitigate potential conflicts arising from their predatory behaviors.
By the season
Lake trout fishing in New York is most productive during the spring and fall seasons when water temperatures are cooler, and the trout are more active. In the early spring, focus on fishing at depths of 20-30 inches, while in late spring, target depths of 30-45 inches. Fishing is generally excellent from June through August, particularly when the fish are concentrated in deepwater basins.
During early spring, lake trout can be found in shallow, warmer-water areas where the food chain is active. Look for areas with water temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s, such as neck-downs, areas with current, deep ditches leading into backwater bays, and island complexes adjacent to shallow water. Flat-line trolling with shad-style crankbaits and thick-bodied spoons at speeds around 2 mph is effective during this time.
In the summer months of July and August, lake trout move to deeper basins within 80-120 feet of water, relating to points, humps, and other structures, as well as bottom transitions. Vertical jigging with blade baits, jigging spoons, tubes, and fluke-style plastics is effective for targeting deepwater lake trout. Trolling with spoons and wide-action crankbaits like Luhr-Jensen Kwikfish and Yakima Bait FlatFish is also productive. Downriggers or heavy weights attached to the line are used to keep baits at the desired depth.
During the fall, focus on fishing around spawning shoals found in 10 to about 20 feet of water. Rattling lipless crankbaits, plastic swimbaits on jigs, and spoons are effective lures during this time. Lake trout are not usually picky toward lures in the fall, making it an excellent time to experiment with different presentations.
When targeting lake trout, anglers can use 7- to 8-foot-long, medium and medium-heavy rods paired with quality reels spooled with 15- to 30-pound-test braided line and 14-pound-test fluorocarbon leader material. These setups are suitable for lake trout ranging from 2 to 20 pounds, which is often the average size range of fish caught from many waterbodies. For trophy lake trout waters, anglers may need to upscale their gear and tackle accordingly.
Best Lake Trout Fishing Spots In NY
In New York State, lake trout enthusiasts have a variety of excellent fishing spots to explore, with the Finger Lakes region standing out as a prime destination. Nestled between Syracuse, Rochester, and Elmira-Corning, the Finger Lakes boast a series of 11 picturesque lakes, including Canadice Lake, Cayuga Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Conesus Lake, Hemlock Lake, Honeoye Lake, Keuka Lake, Otisco Lake, Owasco Lake, Seneca Lake, and Skaneateles Lake. These lakes offer diverse habitats and depths, providing opportunities for anglers to reel in impressive lake trout.
Beyond the Finger Lakes, New York State hosts numerous oligotrophic lakes renowned for their lake trout populations. Indian Lake, Cranberry Lake, and the expansive Great Lakes—Lake Erie and Lake Ontario—are among the top picks for anglers seeking memorable lake trout fishing experiences. Additionally, Tupper Lake, Lake George, Piseco Lake, the Regis Canoe Area, and the Ashokan Reservoir offer promising grounds for those in pursuit of these cold-water predators.
Best Lake Trout Fishing [Bait, Lures, Flies, Other As Appropriate]
When targeting lake trout, anglers have a variety of options when it comes to bait, lures, flies, and other tackle. Live bait can be particularly effective, with minnows being a popular choice. Whether fished live or dead, minnows can attract lake trout effectively.
Nightcrawlers are another option for live bait and can be used similarly to minnows. Additionally, round gobies, small native fish found in freshwater lakes and streams, are another live bait option that can be used to target lake trout.
For anglers preferring lures, a variety of options exist. The Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ is a top choice for its overall effectiveness. Trolling plugs like the Yakima FlatFish and versatile lures like the Bondy Bait Junior are also highly regarded.
Soft plastics such as the Lunker City SwimFish and jigging spoons like the Berkley Vibrato are also popular choices among anglers targeting lake trout. Trolling spoons like the Wolverine Tackle Silver Streak Spoon and crankbaits like the Rapala Scatter Rap Minnow round out the selection of effective lures for lake trout fishing.
When it comes to fly fishing for lake trout, certain patterns tend to be more successful than others. The Clouser minnow is widely regarded as one of the best all-around flies for lake trout, with white being a particularly effective color choice.
Other effective fly patterns include Deceivers, Whistlers, and Woolly Buggers. When using lures for lake trout, lighter options such as small spinners and spoons are often preferred by anglers due to the trout’s feeding preferences.
How To Catch
To successfully catch lake trout, anglers often employ specialized techniques tailored to the behavior and habitat of these freshwater predators. Trolling with downriggers and spoons or plugs is a popular method for targeting lake trout in deeper waters. Downriggers allow anglers to precisely control the depth at which their lures swim, enabling them to reach the preferred depths of lake trout, which can vary depending on factors like water temperature and time of day.
Using sonar and fish finders to locate schools of lake trout or key underwater structures such as drop-offs, shoals, and underwater points can greatly increase fishing success. Casting and retrieving large spoons, swimbaits, or jigs near shoreline structures or over submerged reefs can also entice lake trout to strike, especially during the spring and fall when these fish move closer to shore in search of food.
Vertical jigging with heavy spoons or jigs is another effective technique, particularly in deeper water where lake trout may be holding near the bottom. When ice fishing for lake trout, anglers often use tip-ups or jigging rods baited with live minnows or smelt, fished at various depths to intercept cruising trout.
Spawning Habits of Lake Trout
Lake trout in New York, particularly those in Seneca Lake, have significant implications for the state’s ecosystem and recreational fishing industry. Historically, lake trout populations in Seneca Lake have been supported by hatcheries, but recent data indicates a decline in their numbers.
This decline is attributed to various factors, including changes in hatchery stocking, fishing pressure, lamprey predation, and the increase in the smelt population since 1973. The degradation of spawning sites, particularly the lower parts of deep water cobble gravels, has also contributed to the decline in natural recruitment of lake trout.
Lake trout spawn at night on rocky shoals in the fall, typically in late October or early November. Fertilized eggs settle within rocky crevices and hatch about four to six months later, from late February to April.
The selection of spawning sites is critical for the survival of lake trout eggs and fry. Shoals covered with coarse gravel are preferred, although the reasons for selecting specific spawning beds remain unclear. Factors such as water temperature, currents, underwater turbulence, and the presence of predators influence the choice of spawning sites.
Despite the decline in natural recruitment, lake trout continue to play a vital role in New York’s aquatic ecosystems. They are adapted to cold water environments and remain active throughout the winter, making them an important species for anglers and maintaining ecological balance. However, efforts to preserve and restore lake trout populations must address the degradation of spawning sites and other contributing factors to ensure their long-term survival in New York’s lakes.
Regulations
In regions outside of the Great Lakes, such as New York State, the Lake Trout fishing season typically runs from April 1 to October 15. During this period, anglers are allowed to catch Lake Trout with a daily limit of 3 fish per person.
Conversely, in the Great Lakes region, Lake Trout fishing remains open throughout the year. However, anglers are restricted to catching only 1 Lake Trout per day.
It’s essential for anglers to be aware of these regulations and to check for any updates or changes in local fishing guidelines to ensure compliance and contribute to the conservation efforts aimed at protecting Lake Trout populations.
