New York’s best bass lakes: 2017

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In this photo gallery we take a look at the best bass fishing lakes in New York state. Data for these choices comes from <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine's 2017 Best Bass Lakes project.
In this photo gallery we take a look at the best bass fishing lakes in New York state. Data for these choices comes from Bassmaster Magazine’s 2017 Best Bass Lakes project.
<h4>Lake Erie, New York </h4> [30-mile radius from Buffalo] Given the many superb smallmouth fisheries in the Northeast region, ranking Lake Erie’s eastern basin number one in the region is quite a statement. The big lake is kicking out giant smallies this year. An early season open tournament in 2016 yielded a trophy smallmouth of 7.59 pounds. The state record was tied here in May with a 8.26 being caught. Local guides have landed more 7 pounders than in the past decade, and 6s no longer turn heads. If you are looking for a trophy brown bass, there is no surer bet right now.
Lake Erie, New York
[30-mile radius from Buffalo] Given the many superb smallmouth fisheries in the Northeast region, ranking Lake Erie’s eastern basin number one in the region is quite a statement. The big lake is kicking out giant smallies this year. An early season open tournament in 2016 yielded a trophy smallmouth of 7.59 pounds. The state record was tied here in May with a 8.26 being caught. Local guides have landed more 7 pounders than in the past decade, and 6s no longer turn heads. If you are looking for a trophy brown bass, there is no surer bet right now.
<h4>Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), New York </h4> [50-mile stretch] With 1,864 islands and numerous bays, this picturesque bass factory teems with smallmouth. There is also excellent largemouth fishing, but the smallmouth have the greatest trophy potential. A major two-day tournament here in June 2016 produced a 24-9 limit and seven other limits over 20 pounds. Another two-day event in September 2016 yielded 10 limits over 20 pounds, including a 25-3.
Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), New York
[50-mile stretch] With 1,864 islands and numerous bays, this picturesque bass factory teems with smallmouth. There is also excellent largemouth fishing, but the smallmouth have the greatest trophy potential. A major two-day tournament here in June 2016 produced a 24-9 limit and seven other limits over 20 pounds. Another two-day event in September 2016 yielded 10 limits over 20 pounds, including a 25-3.
<h4>Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont </h4> [490 square miles] “Champlain consistently produces trophy-size smallmouth and largemouth bass,” said New York’s warm-water fisheries unit leader Jeff Loukmas. A weight of 59-13 won a three-day Bassmaster Northern Open tournament here in September 2016. Three limits over 20 pounds were brought in. A four-day tournament in June 2016 saw four limits exceeding 20 pounds.
Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
[490 square miles] “Champlain consistently produces trophy-size smallmouth and largemouth bass,” said New York’s warm-water fisheries unit leader Jeff Loukmas. A weight of 59-13 won a three-day Bassmaster Northern Open tournament here in September 2016. Three limits over 20 pounds were brought in. A four-day tournament in June 2016 saw four limits exceeding 20 pounds.
<h4>Cayuga Lake, New York</h4> [38 miles long, 3 1/2 miles wide] A Bassmaster Elite Series tournament here in June 2016 demonstrated that Cayuga has plenty of heavyweight smallmouth and largemouth bass. Kevin VanDam won that four-day event with 71-13. His catch consisted mainly of smallmouth. His win proves that the 85-0, four-day catch of largemouth by Greg Hackney during a 2014 Elite Series event here was no fluke.
Cayuga Lake, New York
[38 miles long, 3 1/2 miles wide] A Bassmaster Elite Series tournament here in June 2016 demonstrated that Cayuga has plenty of heavyweight smallmouth and largemouth bass. Kevin VanDam won that four-day event with 71-13. His catch consisted mainly of smallmouth. His win proves that the 85-0, four-day catch of largemouth by Greg Hackney during a 2014 Elite Series event here was no fluke.
<h4>Oneida Lake, New York </h4> [79.8 square miles] Although Oneida is known for giving up good numbers of bass, more quality fish are showing up. A three-day Bassmaster Northern Open in July 2016 was won with 53-13 of smallmouth. One limit of smallmouth exceeded 20 pounds. The smallmouth may be fattening up on the round gobies that showed up at Oneida in 2013. The lake has become warmer and clearer in recent years, which benefits the largemouth.
Oneida Lake, New York
[79.8 square miles] Although Oneida is known for giving up good numbers of bass, more quality fish are showing up. A three-day Bassmaster Northern Open in July 2016 was won with 53-13 of smallmouth. One limit of smallmouth exceeded 20 pounds. The smallmouth may be fattening up on the round gobies that showed up at Oneida in 2013. The lake has become warmer and clearer in recent years, which benefits the largemouth.
<h4>Chautauqua Lake, New York </h4> [13,156 acres] The catch rates for largemouth and smallmouth bass are high at Chautauqua, but the trophy potential is low. A Bassmaster Open tournament in July 2016 was won with 14.20 for five bass. A club tournament a month later was won with 11.31. That said, if you want your string stretched, this is the spot.
Chautauqua Lake, New York
[13,156 acres] The catch rates for largemouth and smallmouth bass are high at Chautauqua, but the trophy potential is low. A Bassmaster Open tournament in July 2016 was won with 14.20 for five bass. A club tournament a month later was won with 11.31. That said, if you want your string stretched, this is the spot.