Lake Trout

Lake trout are abundant in the Finger Lakes region with Seneca Lake being the most famous for its lake trout fishing.   Lakers are absolutely the top predator in the region.   I've caught plenty of lakers with northern pike, yellow perch, brown trout, sunfish and bass in their stomachs!  I've never caught another type of fish with a laker in its stomach!

Seneca offered tremendous lake trout action in 2009!   The lake produced both numbers of fish and BIG fish!  Many of the fish in this lake are beautifully colored with orange and white-tipped fins.   Seneca is fantastic lake trout habitat from end to end.  Seneca RULES for laker action!

Cayuga Lake provided very good fishing in 2009, especially early in the season - we had some BIG fish - upwards of 14lbs.   Seneca may be the most well-known lake for its lake trout fishing, but Cayuga provides the best fishing for consistently BIG FISH and plenty of them.   I have to believe that Cayuga is one of the top lake trout fisheries in the Country - it certainly is among the best in New York State for numbers and size.  

Keuka Lake was great fishing as well, mostly from September through November.   All wild fish.  The numbers can be great although these fish run much smaller than the Cayuga fish.   Keuka fish appear to be getting bigger and bigger.   We saw more 24" to 25" fish this year than we have over the past 6 years.   We also had our first real Keuka trophy this year - a 32" fat fish that probably weighed 13lbs!  I'm liking this lake!

Owasco Lake provided the poorest lake trout action in 2009 than I've seen in the past 6 years.  Just slow fishing - and it used to be the best in the area for Sept/October action.   We'll keep an eye on this lake in 2010.   

Canandaigua Lake really showed me something in 2007 and 2008.   I've tried this lake a bit over the years, but I really cracked the fishery here in 2007.  I found large stretches of water that held some active fish and caught some beauties.  They are absolutely fantastic eating out of this ultra clean/clear lake!  I didn't fish here much in 2009.  

Skaneateles Lake has some decent fishing too.   I think this lake really hits its peak in the fall.   During the fall of 2008 we had some fantastic casting and fly-casting for these lakers.   The fish here aren't big - averaging 15" to 20" with occasional fish running to around 23", but they are abundant and HUNGRY!

If you like eating fish, you'll enjoy keeping some lake trout.   They are superb smoked and excellent on the grill as well as in the pan or in chowders.   We have plenty of lakers in the region and they could use some harvesting, so I encourage clients to keep and eat them.   The 15" to 22" fish from Canandaigua, Skaneateles and Keuka lakes are beyond compare on the dinner table!

The photo here is of Mark and myself with his Keuka trophy from November of 2009.  What a fish - 32" and FAT - probably 13lbs!

The bottom line is that we have terrific lake trout fishing in the Finger Lakes!   Pick your lake.....