1000 Islands Fishing Hunting Guide 2012 2012 : Page 11
Species Sampler Largemouth Bass Average catch: Up to 5 lbs Hot Spots: Around islands, off islands and in bays. Profile: Aggressive attitude, striking a lure or bait with explosive force. Use almost any kind of artificial lure or live bait. Successful tactics include plastic worms, surface plugs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, bass bugs and shiner minnows. Muskellunge “Muskie” Average catch: Up to 35 lbs Hot Spots: Late June–shallow weed beds. August/ September–near drop-offs. November /December– deep water. Profile: New York is a top muskellunge state. The fish average 12-30 pounds and an occasional 40-50 pound tackle-buster is taken. Special fishing gear is needed to land this wily fish. A guide is strongly recommended. Smallmouth Bass Average catch: Up to 5 lbs Hot Spots: Around islands, off islands, in bays. Profile: Tough, rod-bending fish. One to two-pound smallmouths are abundant, two to three pound fish are common and six to eight pound trophies are not uncommon. Fish shallow in spring and fall, move deeper in mid-summer months. Steelhead Average catch: Up to 10 lbs Hot Spots: November-May–inshore shallows. May-September–deep water. Spring/fall spawning–in and around tributaries, especially Black River and North and South Sandy Creeks. October & Novem-ber–inshore shallows. Profile: Fishing is best during spring and fall spawn-ing runs. For cold water enthusiasts, the season runs through winter. Walleye Average catch: Up to 8 lbs Hot Spots: Spring/fall–inshore shallows, summer– deeper shoals. Profile: A popular game fish know for its delicate, delicious flavor and light-tackle fight. Five to ten pound fish are common and trophies have been known to be as much as 16 pounds. Ice fishing makes for great walleye action all winter. Northern Pike Average catch: Up to 12 lbs Hot Spots: All year–shallow bays and marshes Profile: Vicious strikes are their trademark. Use large spoons, plugs, spinners or live bait and hold on, because Northern grow big and mean. A number of fish from 15 to 20 pounds are caught every year in the St. Lawrence. Rainbow Trout Average catch: up to 10 lbs Hot Spots: Indian River lakes, streams and rivers throughout. Profile: Rainbows are popular year-round as anglers enjoy surface trolling and shore fishing in spring and fall, deepwater trolling in midsummer and ice fishing in winter. Although most caught are about 10 pounds, rainbows of up to 20 pounds are not uncommon. Yellow Perch Average catch: Up to 8-10 inches Hot Spots: Shallow bays, creek mouths and marshes. Profile: An angler’s delight, typical size is 8-10 inch-es, but some jumbo fish are the rule in part of the St. Lawrence. Ice-fishing for perch can be enjoyed all winter with bucket-filling catches common. 11
Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here