Black Lake, NY Fishing: Tips, Articles, Species
Located in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, New York, Black Lake covers 12.27 square miles with depths reaching up to 70 feet. Known for its diverse fish population, the lake is a prime destination for anglers. It features over 30 islands like Sugar and Grindstone, each offering unique fishing experiences for species like walleye, bass, and muskie.
Located in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, Black Lake offers anglers a diverse fishing experience throughout the year. Spanning 12.27 square miles with depths reaching 70 feet, the lake is home to a variety of fish species. The lake’s over 30 islands, such as Sugar and Grindstone, provide excellent fishing opportunities, whether you’re chasing walleye, bass, or muskie. Each season brings unique challenges and opportunities for anglers looking to make the most of their time on the water.
Spring Fishing (March-May)
As the ice melts and warmer waters signal the arrival of spring, fish like walleye begin to move towards the shallows. Spring is a critical time for spawning, with walleyes gathering in areas such as Wellesley and Canoe Islands. Trolling becomes an effective technique for catching walleyes, especially when using crankbaits like Rapala Deep Tail Dancers or Bandit Walleye Divers in shallow depths between 5 and 10 feet. Live bait, such as nightcrawlers on minnow rigs, works well too, especially when using a downrigger to maintain the perfect depth.
Springtime also brings opportunities for crappie fishing around areas like Big Gull Island. Using light tackle, cast jigs tipped with minnows or Berkley PowerBait. Ultrathin spinning rods paired with monofilament lines allow for sensitive detection of bites. Small jigs in colors like white, yellow, or pink can attract crappies near weed beds and structures like fallen logs.
For northern pike, focus on shallow weed pockets, especially near Strawberry Island. Spinnerbaits or Bomber Long A lures in bright colors are effective in these areas. Ensure you have wire leaders and gloves for safely handling these toothy predators. Additionally, yellow perch fishing ramps up in spring, with small jigs tipped with waxworms or Berkley PowerBait Shrimp enticing these fish around submerged structures like those near Goose and Whiskey Islands.
Summer Fishing (June-August)
As the heat of summer sets in, fishing techniques must adapt to warmer water temperatures. For bass, finesse jigs in weights between 1/8 and 3/16 ounces work well when rigged with crawfish appendages. These jigs should be weedless to avoid snags in dense cover. Focus on areas near rocks and fallen logs, especially around Goose Island. Shallow-diving crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps and Salmo Rattlin’ Raps, paired with stop-and-go or twitchy retrieves, mimic the erratic movements of prey and are highly effective for bass.
Walleye fishing in summer shifts to deeper waters, typically in the range of 20 to 40 feet. Crankbaits, such as the Flicker Shad in firetiger or blue/silver patterns, are ideal for downrigger trolling. Minnow imitation lures, retrieved slowly over drop-offs and humps, can also be successful. Be sure to use stronger rods and heavier line to handle the increased strength of summer walleyes.
For those targeting bluegill, fly fishing with small, brightly colored flies near weed beds is a fun option, especially around Strawberry and Big Gull Islands. For a spin fishing approach, tiny jigs tipped with maggots or Berkley PowerBait Power Nymph are effective. When fishing for yellow perch, move to deeper areas near drop-offs and humps, using small crankbaits like the Rapala Mini Fat or Salmo Tiny Rattlin’ Rap. A light tackle setup (6-8 lb) and smooth drag are essential for success.
Muskie fishing also heats up in summer, with large crankbaits and bucktail lures providing great action. Look for these trophy fish around deep weed beds and rocky areas, particularly near Tibbetts and Sugar Islands. Muskie lures should be trolled slowly with erratic retrieves to mimic fleeing prey, requiring patience and persistence.
Fall Fishing (September-November)
As the weather cools, walleye fishing enters a new phase, and deeper-diving crankbaits become the go-to tools. Lures like the Salmo Hornet or Bandit Walleye Deep Cranks in colors such as chartreuse or silver can be trolled near shorelines and weed edges. This time of year also presents an opportunity for minnow rigs with live nightcrawlers, particularly when rigged with heavier weights to reach depths of 10 to 15 feet.
Crappie fishing can still be productive in fall, with small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms working well in shallower waters. Fall crappie are often attracted to structures, and varying your jig retrieval speeds can help you find the right rhythm for success.
For perch, small jigs with bright colors and marabou skirts are effective, especially when tipped with waxworms or Berkley PowerBait Power Shrimp in pink or pearl shades. The cooler temperatures make it an ideal time to target perch with light tackle.
Winter Ice Fishing (December-February)
Winter transforms Black Lake into an ice fisher’s paradise. However, safety should always be the top priority when venturing onto the ice. Always check ice thickness before heading out and carry essential safety gear like ice picks and flares.
Panfish, such as bluegill and crappie, are the primary targets for winter ice fishing. Tip-ups baited with live minnows placed near weed beds or drop-offs in shallow areas (5-10 feet) are an effective strategy. Jigging with small, flashy spoons like Nils Master Lures in gold or firetiger is another productive method for attracting these fish.
For pike, use tip-ups baited with live minnows placed near weed edges or drop-offs. Additionally, larger, flashy spoons like Nils Master Lures in firetiger can be trolled slowly near deeper weed beds and rocky areas for trophy pike.
When targeting walleyes, set tip-ups with live minnows in deeper areas (10-15 feet) near drop-offs and humps. Small jigs or flashy spoons in silver/blue or pearl patterns, jigged actively near the bottom, can also entice walleye in winter.
Lastly, for yellow perch, focus on shallow areas near weed beds and rocky points. Jig small lures in bright colors and tip them with waxworms or Berkley PowerBait Shrimp for added attraction.
Boat Launches and Public Access
Accessing Black Lake’s waters is easy with these public black lake NY boat launches:
- Wellesley Island State Park: Located on Wellesley Island, the park provides two boat launches with ample parking, offering direct access to the lake. Launching fees may apply.
- Eel Weir Campground: Found near the eastern shore, this campground features a public boat launch with limited parking. A day-use fee might be required.
- Tibbetts Island Boat Launch: Conveniently placed on Tibbetts Island, this launch offers easy access to the lake’s northern areas. A park pass may be necessary, so check park regulations beforehand.
