Sodus Bay

I've fished Sodus Bay off and on for over 29 years.  Over the past couple seasons I find myself drawn more to the "roughfish" - i.e. the gar and drum over everything else!

The drum fishing is usually very good in this bay in June.  I haven't pinpointed the exact time frame and water temps, but around 65 to 70 degrees seems to start the "drum runs".   I just can't get myself to bass fish when the drum are in.   They congregate around the islands and shorelines bordering the basin water.   They hit well and fight great.   I couldn't ask for more.   Drum numbers were way down in 2008.  The VHS virus has affected a lot of the drum population.   Hopefully they will bounce back soon!

The largemouth bass fishing in this bay has been excellent for years and continues to be terrific despite fairly heavy fishing pressure.   The bay has a good number of lunker fish as well - 4 to 5lb. bass.   Throughout the summer and fall topwater fishing is excellent and numerous other techniques work well including spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jig 'n pig and stickworms.

Pike fishing in this bay has historically been excellent, but it was slow throughout the 2000s.  Word is the pike are starting to rebound, but I'm still inclined to fish the Fingers rather than Sodus for pike.  Irondequoit Bay is also better IMO.   

Sodus Bay has a large localized population of gar. Gar provide excellent sport on the fly-rod.   We had a 45" beauty here in Sept. 2009.    The gar population has maintained over the past 5 years and they are a lot of fun!

Bowfin are also available in the coves of this bay.   Many anglers despise these fish, yet I've had bowfin fight SO hard they put many other gamefish to shame.   They jump high - shaking their head, dig incredibly hard, run right at you and thrash violently - both in the water and in the boat or on land!   Plus they have sharp teeth!   The average angler targeting other species rarely lands many bowfin. 

Fishing smallmouth bass in Lake Ontario off Sodus Bay was great fun in the 1990s and early 2000s.   Over the past few years the fishing has been very slow for us (and many other people).   Reasons why are unclear.   There are plenty of small bass around (according to reports) so we're hoping to see the bassin' rebound.  Until then, the best bet for the Sodus Bay bassman is to stick with the largemouths in the bay. 

Sodus Bay is a fun and productive place to fish with many opportunities available!