Black Lake, New York

Donnie

Donnie is a founder of Basshogg, avid bass fisherman and cottager.

Location: Black lake is just a few miles Southwest of Ogdensburg NY, running parallel with the St. Lawrence River. Click here to see it in Google Maps.

Size: 32 Km2, 96KM of Shoreline.

Depth: Max Depth is 40 ft, Average Depth is 9 ft.

Species of Fish: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch and many more…

Largest Bass Caught: 3 to 5 Lbs are common, no info found for record.

About Black Lake

Black Lake in New York is a top destination for bass fishing enthusiasts. With over 60 miles of shoreline, the lake offers a prime fish habitat. It includes expansive weed beds, rocky points, mid-lake shoals, island drop-offs, and rocky shorelines. Notably, Black Lake is one of the few lakes in New York State that boasts abundant Crappie fishing all year long.

To maintain the quality of bass fishing, special regulations require a minimum size of 15 inches to keep. While Largemouth Bass can be found in the many bays and weedy shorelines, Smallmouth Bass are typically found around rocky points and mid-lake shoals. Despite the brown stained water, anglers can expect a thrilling fishing experience.

The lake is fed by several sources, including the Indian River, and drains into the Oswegatchie River before flowing into the Saint Lawrence River. Located in Saint Lawrence County, Black Lake is the largest lake in the area and sits south of the Saint Lawrence River. This water has received national recognition for its outstanding largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing. Furthermore, the lake has first-rate angling for northern pike and walleye, and the panfishing is superb.

Plan your next bass fishing trip on Black Lake and enjoy a day on the water!

Boat Launches

Picture are 3 main boats launches accessible for Black Lake. Click Here to see the map live on Google Maps.

Catching Bass on Black Lake

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass can be found throughout the entire length of the lake. These fish are catchable throughout the season, with the best time being in early summer and throughout the fall. During mid-summer, anglers will find early morning and evening hours to be the most productive for catching Largemouth Bass. To increase your chances of success, look for Largemouth Bass along weedlines, openings in the weeds, weedy shoals, and on rocky points. Traditional offerings such as the plastic worm, jig and pig, and spinnerbait can be effective in catching Largemouth Bass. Other options to consider include tube jigs, crankbaits, and surface lures. With the right equipment and techniques, anglers can enjoy a thrilling fishing experience and potentially reel in some trophy-sized Largemouth Bass.

Smallmouth Bass

Although not as abundant as largemouths, smallmouth bass populations are healthy and thriving in the lake. If you’re planning to fish for smallmouth bass in June and early July, your best bet is to focus on rocky points, where crankbaits tend to produce the top catches. For mid-summer angling, mid-lake structures in the southern half of the lake are the best locations to try. During this time, you can find summer bronzebacks inhabiting deep water areas near the shoals. But they often move to shallower waters to feed under low-light conditions. Using crayfish as bait during this season can lead to the best catches. In autumn, smallmouth action on Black Lake peaks as the fish congregate on rocky shoals. This is the time when minnows replace crayfish as the top bait, and crankbaits also work well.

Black Lake Hot Spots

With the miles of shoreline and islands to explore, your options are wide open. Largemouth Bass roam these waters and you will find them anywhere and everywhere. That being said, the research we’ve done has indicated that there are a few spots that can’t miss.

Orchard Bay: Anglers can expect to find largemouth bass in the shallower waters near the shore, where they tend to lurk among the aquatic plants and ambush their prey. Orchard Bay is also home to smallmouth bass, which tend to inhabit deeper waters.

Upper Deep Bay: Is an excellent location for bass fishing, particularly for smallmouth bass. The bay features a mix of rocky and weedy areas, as well as drop-offs and ledges, creating an ideal habitat for smallmouth bass.

Rollaway Bay: Is a productive location for bass fishing, with both largemouth and smallmouth bass available to anglers. Largemouth bass can be found in the weedy areas near the shore, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most active. Smallmouth bass can be found in deeper water near the rocky areas and ledges in Rollaway Bay.

Honourable mention also for the southern tip near the mouth of the Indian River (not pictured).

Summary

Black Lake in New York is a popular destination for bass fishing enthusiasts, offering opportunities to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass in a scenic and productive environment. Rollaway Bay, the mouth of the Indian River, and Upper Deep Bay are among the top locations for bass fishing on Black Lake. Each offering unique opportunities and techniques for targeting these game fish. Anglers can use a variety of lures and techniques, including topwater lures, soft plastics, crankbaits, and live bait, to target bass in these areas. In addition to bass, Black Lake is home to a variety of other game fish. Northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch and many more. This provides anglers with a diverse and exciting fishing experience.

Check out the Bass Blogg for information about other Bass fishing lakes and more!

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