A Comprehensive Guide To Trolling In New York
Welcome to the comprehensive guide to trolling in New York. From the depths of the Great Lakes to the rivers and serene Finger Lakes, New York offers a selection of trolling opportunities that attract anglers far and wide.
In this guide, we dive into the techniques, popular species, and the best fishing spots across the state. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or casting your first line, let this guide be your map to navigate the superb trolling in the Empire State.
Other fishing techniques for fishermen of all skill levels.
What is Trolling?
Trolling is a popular fishing method that involves trailing bait or lures behind a moving boat to catch fish in open waters. Anglers use various baits, including artificial lures like plugs, spoons, and soft plastics, or natural bait like baitfish and squid. The bait is attached to a trolling rod and reel setup, often with line counters to measure line length.
The boat moves at 2 to 6 knots, depending on the target species and water conditions, dragging the bait to mimic natural prey. Anglers can adjust the bait’s depth using downriggers, planer boards, or diving devices.
When a fish bites, the angler feels the strike, sets the hook by jerking the rod, and reels in the fish, using a net to land it. Trolling is effective in both freshwater and saltwater, allowing anglers to cover large areas and target various species.
Why is Trolling Popular?
Trolling is a popular fishing method due to its efficiency in covering large water areas and targeting active fish in lakes, rivers, or oceans. It keeps anglers engaged with constant action as the boat’s movement ensures a steady presentation of baits or lures.
Accessible to all experience levels, trolling requires minimal equipment like trolling rods and reels. Its adaptability allows anglers to adjust speed, depth, and lures based on fish preferences and environmental factors. Trolling also offers a social aspect, enabling anglers to fish together and share the excitement, making it a versatile and rewarding technique for outdoor adventure.
Popular Trolling Species
Among the popular trolling species are salmon, including chinook, coho, Atlantic, and landlocked salmon, known for their presence in the Great Lakes and their tributaries. Trout species such as lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are commonly pursued by trolling anglers in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
Additionally, walleye, prized game fish, are targeted using trolling methods in various water bodies throughout the state, particularly during low-light conditions. Muskellunge, or musky, apex predators found in select New York waters, are sought after by anglers trolling with large, flashy lures. Northern pike, aggressive predators inhabiting lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, are commonly targeted using trolling techniques with spoons, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits.
Along the Atlantic coast and in tidal rivers like the Hudson, striped bass are popular targets for trolling anglers, using umbrella rigs, parachute rigs, and diving plugs. Furthermore, brown bullhead, a species of catfish, are often pursued by trolling anglers in various water bodies using cut bait, nightcrawlers, and stink bait.
New York’s Popular Trolling Locations
In New York, anglers seeking trolling opportunities have access to several large bodies of water renowned for their abundance of fish and excellent trolling conditions. Among these, the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways offer some of the most productive trolling locations in the state.
Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the St. Lawrence River are particularly notable for their world-class trolling fisheries. Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, is famous for its exceptional trolling opportunities. Anglers target a variety of species including salmon, trout, walleye, and bass. Salmon species such as chinook and coho salmon are especially prized by anglers, with productive trolling grounds found near tributary mouths, offshore structures, and productive feeding areas.
Lake Erie, another of the Great Lakes, offers excellent trolling opportunities for walleye, steelhead trout, and yellow perch. The eastern basin of Lake Erie, in particular, is known for its trophy walleye fishery, with anglers trolling along the lake’s rocky shorelines, reefs, and drop-offs to target these prized game fish.
The St. Lawrence River, which forms part of the international border between the United States and Canada, is renowned for its world-class musky and pike-trolling fisheries. Anglers target trophy-sized musky and pike using a variety of trolling techniques and lures, with productive areas including weed beds, rocky points, and deep channels. New York’s Finger Lakes region, including lakes such as Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake, and Keuka Lake, offers excellent trolling opportunities for trout, salmon, bass, and landlocked salmon.
Anglers troll along deep-water drop-offs, shoals, and points to target these species, enjoying breathtaking scenery and diverse fishing conditions. Oneida Lake, located in central New York, is renowned for its productive trolling fisheries, particularly for walleye and yellow perch. Anglers troll along the lake’s weed edges, shoals, and points to target these species, enjoying consistent action throughout the fishing season.
Key Equipment
Key equipment for trolling encompasses a vast array of specialized tools essential for a successful fishing excursion. Fishing rods and reels must be meticulously selected to match the targeted species and the unique demands of trolling environments, serving as the primary tools for presenting lures or bait to the fish.
Terminal tackle, including hooks for securing the fish, sinkers to control depth, swivels to prevent line twists, and leaders for added strength, should be chosen with care to optimize bait presentation and increase hook-up rates.
Downriggers are devices that play a pivotal role in deploying trolling lines at specific depths, ensuring precise control over the fishing depth. Planer boards are used to spread trolling lines out to cover a wider area, preventing tangles and increasing the effective fishing zone. Diving planers and divers are additional tools attached to fishing lines to help lures dive to desired depths, crucial for enticing fish holding at different water column levels.
Trolling lures, ranging from plugs and spoons to spinners and soft plastics, are indispensable components of a successful trolling setup, imitating the appearance and movement of prey to attract fish. Proper trolling lines, whether monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided, are critical for withstanding the rigors of trolling and ensuring reliable performance under various conditions.
Safety gear, including personal flotation devices (PFDs), first aid kits, and communication devices, should never be overlooked for on-water emergencies, ensuring angler safety throughout the fishing expedition.
Rod holders are mounts on the boat used to secure trolling rods in place, allowing for hands-free fishing and efficient rod management. A trolling motor is an electric motor used for precise boat control and speed adjustments during trolling operations, contributing to effective lure presentation.
Fishing licenses are legal permits allowing anglers to fish in specific waters, ensuring compliance with local regulations. Beyond the basics, accessories like trolling gloves for hand protection, line counters to measure line out accurately, and trolling bags to slow down the boat speed in challenging conditions enhance comfort and efficiency during trolling expeditions.
Regular maintenance and proper storage of trolling equipment are equally crucial for prolonging their lifespan and ensuring peak performance, contributing to a successful and enjoyable fishing experience.
Best Times to Go Trolling in New York
The best times to go trolling in New York vary depending on the species you’re targeting and the specific conditions of the water bodies you plan to fish. Generally, trolling can be productive throughout the year, but certain seasons and times of day offer optimal conditions for different species.
For anglers targeting species like trout, salmon, and bass, the spring and fall seasons are typically the prime times for trolling in New York. During these transitional periods, fish are actively feeding as they prepare for spawning or migrate to different areas, making them more susceptible to trolling techniques.
In spring, as the waters begin to warm up, trout and salmon often move closer to the surface, providing excellent opportunities for trolling with shallow-running lures or bait rigs. Similarly, in the fall, as temperatures start to cool down, predatory fish become more aggressive and are eager to feed, presenting ideal conditions for trolling.
Additionally, early mornings and late evenings are often the best times to go trolling in New York. During these low-light periods, fish are more active and tend to be closer to the surface, making them more responsive to trolling presentations. Moreover, trolling during these times can help anglers avoid heavy boat traffic and recreational activities commonly seen during the daytime.
Advanced Trolling Techniques
While there are different trolling methods, downriggers stand out as one of the most effective tools. A downrigger, comprised of a spool of wire or cable, a weight or ball, and a release mechanism, allows precise control over the depth at which the fishing line is presented. This control proves invaluable when targeting species like striped bass and bluefish, which often hold at different depths.
The benefits of downriggers extend to their ability to ensure precision, maximize coverage, and present baits or lures naturally. Setting up a downrigger involves mounting it securely on the boat, attaching the weight, spooling the cable evenly, and rigging the bait or lure properly. Advanced techniques further enhance trolling success in New York waters.
Stacking, where multiple lines are run from a single downrigger, enables anglers to present baits at various depths simultaneously, ideal for targeting fish holding at different levels. Experimenting with depths, speeds, and using downrigger balls strategically can trigger strikes, especially near rocky areas or drop-offs.
Downrigger divers, like the Dipsy Diver, allow anglers to cover both depth and horizontal aspects of the water column effectively. Flashers or dodgers, when attached to baits or lures, enhance their visibility and attractiveness to fish.
Maintenance, attentiveness, and keeping detailed logs of trolling trips are crucial for maximizing downrigger efficiency. With practice and experience, anglers in New York can master the art of advanced trolling using downriggers, leading to more successful fishing ventures.
Trolling Safety
When trolling, safety is crucial for a secure and enjoyable experience. Always wear life jackets due to unpredictable water conditions. Be cautious with powerful motors, ensuring you know their controls to avoid accidents. Handle strong trolling lines carefully to prevent injuries. Avoid large obstacles like rocks or submerged structures that can damage your boat or equipment.
Stay alert for other vessels, especially in busy areas, and follow navigation rules. Know the water body you’re in, including hazards like shallow areas and reefs. Equip your boat with safety gear such as navigation lights, a first aid kit, and communication devices. Regularly check your trolling equipment for wear or damage. Inform someone ashore about your plans, route, and expected return time as a precaution.
