Planning Some Spring Fishing On Seneca Lake
Planning a spring fishing trip on Seneca Lake felt like a long time coming. Living on Port Bay in Wayne County, with Lake Ontario practically in my backyard and the Finger Lakes just an hour away, I’m surrounded by some of the best fishing waters in New York. My dad always reminded me to “count your blessings” for living in such a prime fishing spot—though he’d add a few choice words to that sentiment.
Jay Burd and I had often tossed around the idea of fishing Seneca Lake in spring, but this year we finally committed to making it happen. I reminded Burd, quoting a bit of the Rolling Stones, “Time waits for no one.” He countered, thinking of a different Stones hit, “I thought it was ‘It’s only rock and roll.'” “Wrong song,” I corrected. “Let’s go fishing!”
We booked our trip with Captain Jim Morgan of Seneca Chief Charters during the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Show. I was working a tourism booth, and Morgan was there promoting his charter business. As for Burd, he was floating around the show, supposedly helping out at the Adirondack Champlain Guide Service booth with our mutual friend, Pete Casamento. It’s always good to have friends in high places—or, at least, friends on the show circuit! The trip was officially on, and now it’s just a matter of waiting until the spring thaw to hit those Seneca Lake waters and reel in some memories.
Late Freeze While Spring Fishing
Our much-anticipated spring fishing trip was set for April 29, marking our first real attempt at reeling in some big catches on Seneca Lake. The plan was straightforward: I’d meet Captain Jim Morgan at his place, we’d launch his 25-foot Wellcraft boat from Lodi on the lake’s western side, and then head across to Severne Point Launch on the eastern shore to pick up Jay Burd and his group.
The morning didn’t start off exactly as planned—my truck’s thermometer read a biting 22 degrees as I drove to Morgan’s. Not exactly the warm spring day we’d hoped for, but that’s fishing in upstate New York. Later, I heard that this late freeze, on the last Sunday in April, dealt a harsh blow to the region’s fruit crops along Lake Ontario’s southern shores. An unusually mild winter had caused the buds to emerge early, only to be stunned by the sudden drop in temperature.
As we launched the boat, Seneca Lake’s surface temperature registered at a chilly 43 degrees—a reflection of nature’s mixed signals after the warm winter. The lake was stunning in the early morning light, mist rising gently from the surface as we set out across the expanse. While cold, it was exactly the kind of day that makes fishing in the Finger Lakes feel like an adventure, with weather as unpredictable as the catch itself.
Beating The Sun
That day’s adventure roster included Jay Burd, Mike Monaco, and Tom Armstrong—all diehard anglers from New Jersey. Joining Captain Jim Morgan was his mate, Keith “Wolfy” Dickinson, who knew the lake like the back of his hand. Despite the brisk April morning, the calm, pancake-flat surface of Seneca Lake wasn’t ideal for fishing. “We’ll stick to the eastern shore until the sun clears those hills,” Morgan advised, hoping the shadows would encourage some early bites.
Our setup for the day featured an arsenal of NK DL-20 and Michigan Stinger spoons, along with a few AC Shiner stickbaits. Brass and copper were the colors of choice, their subtle flash perfect for the lake’s spring waters. Morgan leaned on his trusted Eagle Claw rods and Quantum reels, all well-suited for landing the lake’s big fighters.
By 8:15 a.m., we had our first excitement of the day—a double hookup! A rainbow and a small brown trout were quickly reeled in, bringing some early action. With Burd still on a quest to catch his first landlocked salmon, the pressure was mounting on Captain Morgan to make that happen. By 9 a.m., our tally was four-for-seven, with a few more small browns and rainbows released back into the water. Spirits were high as we awaited that trophy catch.
But the flat lake remained unhelpful, and Morgan mentioned a northwest wind was forecasted. In these narrow north-south Finger Lakes, winds can churn up serious waves, especially toward the south end of Seneca, where we were set up. We all kept a wary eye on the horizon, knowing the calm could turn in an instant and change the day’s fishing entirely.
Finding the Warmer Waters
With “Wolfy” in the stern performing his fish-attracting dance, Captain Morgan trolled the boat into one of his favorite coves. In early spring, warmer shallow waters draw in baitfish, making these coves a prime fishing spot. Unlike the summer months, when thermal bars set up on Seneca Lake, early spring fishing requires a shallow troll. The baitfish congregate here, and where the baitfish go, trout and salmon are sure to follow.
As we navigated the turn into the cove, the port rod snapped to life. Burd jumped up, grabbing the rod with an eager grin. We were using a rotation system to keep things fair and give everyone a shot at the action. “Feels like the bullpen,” Burd laughed, casting a sidelong look. “You just sit tight until they call your name!”
This fish was small enough that a net wasn’t necessary, but Burd’s enthusiasm didn’t dim. It was a landlocked salmon—his first—and the satisfaction of finally ticking it off his list was evident in his grin. It might not have been a record-breaker, but for Burd, it was a catch worth celebrating.
Choppy Waters Bring In The Fish
Across the lake, we saw the first signs of the predicted northwest wind stirring the surface into ripples, soon building into small waves. By the time they reached our boat, those ripples had turned into a nice chop—and just like that, the fish started biting. At 11:15 a.m., we had three back-to-back hits in quick succession. Two of these were knock-offs, slipping free before we could get them to the boat. This time, no blame on the clients; it was just the unpredictable nature of fishing. We were keeping track of our success rate, and among the four of us, we were running a solid six for ten.
Morgan kept a close eye on the waves, sensing the larger ones rolling in from the distance. “We’ll fish till noon,” he announced, gesturing toward the approaching chop. “Don’t forget, I’ve got to get you all back across the lake.”
Armstrong was quick to react when the next rod went off, bringing in a solid five-pound brown trout. “This one’s going in the cooler,” he declared with a grin. “Fillets for dinner tonight.” The brown had gone for a jointed Rapala in gold and black, another of Morgan’s trusty lures that rarely let him down.
Right on the dot at noon, Burd reeled in a small but lively rainbow trout. Not to be outdone, Monaco snagged the final fish of the day just a few minutes later at 12:10 p.m. Nine for thirteen—our catch rate for the day was nothing to scoff at. As we packed up and readied to head back, the satisfaction of a day well spent on Seneca Lake settled over us, the excitement of the morning’s catches still fresh in our minds.
Back To The Dock Just In Time
After dropping off the Jersey crew at Severne Point Launch, we braced ourselves for the ride back across Seneca Lake to Lodi. Timing couldn’t have been better; as we navigated the choppy waters, large waves crashed dramatically against the point protecting the small channel. Each splash reminded us just how quickly conditions can change on these Finger Lakes.
Despite the rough ride back, the adventure left us buzzing with excitement. Seneca Lake had delivered yet again, living up to its reputation as one of the most popular fishing destinations in the region. From landing Burd’s first landlocked salmon to wrestling with trout and salmon through the morning, it was a day full of action, laughs, and good fishing tales to take home. Seneca never disappoints.
Charter Information
For more information contact: Captain Jim Morgan, Seneca Chief Guide Service & Fishing Charters. 2250 Skinner Road, Lodi, NY 14860. Phone: (607) 582 6089. Email info@senecachiefguide.com. www.senecachiefguide.com.
Original Article By Chris Kenyon
About The Author
Chris Kenyon is an outdoor columnist for the Sodus Record-Sun and the Finger Lakes Times and freelances for several publications. He is a member of NYSOWA and AGLOW. He is also the Outdoor Recreational Coordinator for Wayne County Tourism.
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.
