Lake trout are among the most sought-after game fish in New York’s Finger Lakes region, thriving in eight of the eleven lakes. Summer is an ideal time for anglers to target these fish, as some lakes yield larger specimens while others are known for higher catch rates. For trophy-sized lake trout, Cayuga and Seneca Lakes are the premier destinations, while those seeking numbers should consider Skaneateles and Keuka Lakes.
Summer Fishing Conditions
During the summer months, lake trout typically inhabit deeper waters, often reaching depths of 100 feet or more to access the colder temperatures they prefer. Anglers employ various methods to successfully fish for lake trout in the Finger Lakes, with the three most common techniques being trolling, vertical jigging, and using natural bait.
Traditional Trolling
Trolling is arguably the most popular method for targeting lake trout, and it encompasses several techniques. One time-honored method is pulling copper, which involves hand-lining without a rod. Anglers hold the copper line in their hands, pulling it up until their elbow forms a right angle, then letting it drop back down until their arm is fully extended. Traditionally, fishermen also utilized homemade trolling boxes with old record player mechanisms to wind their lines. Nowadays, many anglers prefer using copper line spooled on level-wind reels and downrigger-style reels for a more efficient experience.
Seth Green Rig
Another effective trolling technique is the Seth Green Rig, also known as the “meat rig.” This setup consists of a main line with a large sinker (typically 16 ounces) attached to the end. Five additional lines, ranging from 10 to 15 feet in length, branch off the main line, each equipped with a lure. The first line is attached to the end of the main line via a three-way swivel with the sinker, while the remaining four lines are spaced 10 to 20 feet apart along the main line. For optimal performance, anglers recommend using a saltwater roller tip rod paired with a Penn-type reel for this rig.
Here’s a great video talking about the Seth Green Rig for low speed, 1 mph, trolling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjp6yJUwLd4.
Fishing with Downriggers
Downriggers are the most widely used method for targeting lake trout in the Finger Lakes, offering the significant advantage of positioning lures at precise depths. This precision is crucial for effectively reaching lake trout, which often inhabit deeper waters. In addition to downriggers, many anglers utilize Dipsy Divers as an alternative trolling technique. These devices attach to the fishing line and help to get lures deeper in the water column. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option or wishing to simplify their fishing experience, Dipsy Divers are an excellent choice. They are especially suitable for beginners venturing into trolling.
Vertical Jigging
In recent years, vertical jigging has gained immense popularity among anglers targeting lake trout in the Finger Lakes. This technique typically involves dropping a jig to the bottom, raising it a few feet, and then bouncing or “jigging” it up and down. A common approach is to lower the jig to the bottom, lift it a couple of inches, jig a few times, and then aggressively crack it toward the surface before dropping it back down. On the retrieve, it’s essential to vary your speed, alternating between quick and slow movements, and even pausing occasionally. The most effective lures for vertical jigging include ½ to 1-ounce jigging spoons and lead head jigs paired with plastic baits such as flukes, twister tails, tube jigs, and swimbaits, particularly in colors like white or chartreuse, or classic white bucktail jigs.
Natural Bait
Using natural bait (both live and dead) has been a staple technique for lake trout fishing in the Finger Lakes for decades. The most commonly used bait is alewives (also known as sawbellies or mooneyes), but minnows, smelt, and stonecats are also effective options. Natural baits are typically fished on the bottom using an egg sinker; however, they can also be fished throughout the water column to entice lake trout at various depths.
Best Finger Lakes Fishing Spots
The following are some of the best locations on the various Finger Lakes to use these trout fishing methods.
Skaneateles lake
Skaneateles Lake, according to J. Michael Kelly, author of the book, Fishing the Finger Lakes, “has immeasurable numbers of lake trout which are generally grunts, but occasionally grow to gargantuan length and weight.” There are no smelt or alewives in Skaneateles and the trout feed on spot-tail shiners less than 1 ½ inch in length. Kelly recommends using small flutter spoons, wobblers, or needlefish. In mid to late June trout will generally be found in 70 to 140 feet deep and are commonly taken by trolling with downriggers or Seth Green rigs.
Owasco Lake
When you’re on Owasco Lake, you should troll for lakers at a depth of 90 to 150 feet of water during the summer months. Some anglers have also found vertical jigging very effective for catching lake trout on this lake.
Cayuga Lake Fish Species
Although trolling with downriggers or Seth Green Rigs are the most popular techniques used in the summer months on Cayuga Lake, more fisherman are trying vertical jigging. Some anglers are still pulling lake trout off the bottom of Cayuga Lake pulling copper. According to Steve Williamson at Bears Bait and Tackle in Trumansburg, NY (607-387-5576) his favorite spot to pull copper in June is in 40 to 50 feet of water off the Sheldrake Point area. He moves out in deeper water (out to about 100 feet of water) as the trout move out to colder water. Williamson says the areas off Milligan Station and Long Point are two good fishing locations to troll for lake trout as well. Later in the summer Williamson recommends jigging the deeper water with white bucktail jigs or fluke-like spoons. Cayuga Lake offers a variety of fish species, lake trout are among the most fun to catch.
Seneca Lake
Referred to as the National Lake Trout Capital of the World, Seneca Lake is where anglers use a diverse array of lures and techniques to catch lake trout. It varies from trolling in the thermocline with down riggers or Seth Green rigs, to pulling copper, to using vertical jigging, to using natural bait. The thermocline in Seneca Lake is usually set up by early July and the lake trout are temperature oriented and spread out over the lake in search of their preferred water temperature, which is between 40 to 50 degrees. Some of the best areas for big lakers include the steep contour between Hector Falls and Glen Eldridge Point, the area off Lodi Point, and also Sampson State Park. Larry Japp, owner of Roy’s Marina in Geneva, (315-789-3094) says the area from Kashong to Glass Factory Bay has been producing some large lake trout. According to Japp, more people are making fishing simpler and less expensive by using Dipsey Divers in lieu of downriggers and Seth Green rigs. Pam Armitage, of Brewer’s Sporting Goods in Ovid, (607-869-5890) says the stinger spoon is the new hot lure for lake trout.
Keuka Lake
In Keuka Lake, lake trout will usually be found during the summer at a depth of 40 to 70 feet down where the water temperature is between 45 and 55 degrees. Downriggers are the most popular method for taking lake trout, but a few avid fishermen use a completely different technique. Some of the senior fishermen will fish after dark with live bait and lure school of alewives to their boat with the light from lanterns which draw in the lake trout.
Canandaigua Lake
From early June lake trout in Canandaigua Lake can be found in or near the thermocline in about 50 feet of water. Canandaigua Lake depth reaches 276 feet along its 35.9 miles of shoreline. Downriggers are recommended for consistent lake trout action using spoons or stickbaits. Theresa, from the Bait Barn in Naples (585-374-9765), recommends trolling near Walden Point and the White Rock area on the south west portion of the lake and jigging with white bucktail jigs or Sutton spoons off the Vine Valley area on the east side of the lake.
Canadice Lake
Canadice Lake provides folks with the opportunity to fish deep water for lake trout from shore. The ledges along the west shore and the points from the east bank plunge to 50 or 60 feet, which creates structure that attracts baitfish and consequently lake trout. You’ll have to make very long casts using heavy lures or bait rigs with one-ounce slip sinkers. Boats on this lake are restricted to maximum length of 17 feet with an outboard motor no more than 10 horsepower. From early June throughout the summer, you should start trolling at 20 to 25 feet down to find the lake trout.
Hemlock Lake
Trolling the center of Hemlock Lake with downriggers or Seth Green rigs near the lake bottom will ensure you catch lake trout during the summer. However, it is recommended that people continue to watch their sonar screen from their boat for lake trout that may be suspended in 30 to 40 feet of water.
Other Fish Species in the Region
While lake trout are the main attraction, the Finger Lakes region is home to a diverse array of other fish species worth pursuing. Keep an eye out for yellow perch, northern pike, both smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, chain pickerel, tiger muskies, panfish, brown trout, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon in the shallower waters.
Enjoy Finger Lakes Fishing
If you haven’t yet experienced the thrill of landing a lake trout in the Finger Lakes, now is the perfect time to plan your fishing trip! Don’t forget to bring your preferred bait and a valid fishing license, and take advantage of the incredible fisheries this region has to offer. For more information on fishing in the Finger Lakes, visit the DEC website.
Original Article By Wayne Brewer
Wayne Brewer was an avid outdoorsman. At one point he was the Director of Law Enforcement for the NYS DEC. He was the author of a fish and game cookbook Enjoying Nature’s Bounty and a freelance writer for several publications. Wayne Brewer passed away in 2019.
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.
