Black Lake, NY Your Fishing Location for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, & Crappie. Black Lake, New York is a Freshwater Fishermans Paradise located in Upstate, New York

Black Lake is one of the most widely known fishing and vacation spots in New York State. The lake is located in upstate New York, approximately 2 hours north of Syracuse. Black Lake is a natural, glacier lake that encompasses an area of almost 11,000 acres, stretching over 20 miles and is hardly what anyone would call pressured. It is located amidst the huge pre-glacial rocks of St. Lawrence County. About 4 miles across at its widest point, the lake is filled with many sandbars, underwater shoals, and rugged rocky islands similar to those found only in the northern-most reaches of Canada. It is a beautiful place indeed. A visitor can sit and view a picturesque waterway from lofty shores if for no other reason than to relax and get away from it all. But natural splendor is only one of the many wonders offered here. Primarily the Indian River and Fish Creek feed the lake. Over 20 miles to the north, and after flowing through a river-like outlet, Black Lake empties into the Oswegatchie River where it flows over the Eel Weir Dam and ultimately joins the St. Lawrence River at Ogdensburg.
Thousands of anglers, both young and old, travel to the shores of Black Lake every year. While some anglers are generally busy filling their coolers with perch, bluegill, and crappie others are challenged to land trophy size northern pike in the 10 to 15 pound range, largemouth and smallmouth bass (5lb bucket mouths are commonplace here), walleye, catfish, and monstrous muskie. All this while being observed by one of nature's most efficient fishermen, the Great Blue Heron. The angler has his choice of literally hundreds of prime fishing spots---so many that seclusion is the rule rather than the exception. From early May through ice over the fishing is great. The angler can take advantage of high quality fishing in relatively unspoiled and often scenic settings. At anytime, you will find the pure fresh air very invigorating. The days are rarely too warm and the nights are cool and refreshing. In the spring, after the ice goes out, the shoreline lanterns and campfires of the bullhead fisherman light up the evening sky. There is crappie action here that is unrivaled elsewhere. Anglers have proven that Black Lake crappie action is second to none in the Northeast United States for sheer numbers of fish. But this great action does not preclude the fact that 10 to 13 inch perch and 3/4 pound bluegill are very common catches from docks as well as boats. There is something for everyone to catch in Black Lake. The setting is one of serenity and peace. Many times the urge to just absorb the divine quiet can overcome the desire to fish. But the fish are still around in abundance should the renewed urge to cast a line come back to you. Now don't lull yourself to sleep! Just about the time that happens, there are big fish in this lake that will scare the daylights out of you with their vicious top-water strikes. If you have the occasion to frequent the backwaters, you may observe a 3 or 4 foot long garpike or a 20-pound catfish cruising the shallows. Now these critters are not game fish, but boy, what fighters. Black Lake is a grand place and is truly "A Freshwater Fisherman's Paradise".

"NATURE'S FISH HATCHERY"

Black Lake, often referred to as "Nature's Fish Hatchery", is the largest and most diverse of the many Indian River lakes. Over 60 miles of shoreline combined with numerous islands, offers the angler all kinds of ideal fish habitats from rocky points and shoals, to sandbars, weed beds, shallows, and deep water up to 40 feet. Ever changing winds thoroughly mix the water to provide highly dissolved oxygen content which support all of the lakes life forms at peak levels. When coupled with an abundant food supply and the fact that Black Lake is relatively shallow and warm, conditions are right for an almost super-normal development of warm water game and panfish. Large bays, which support dense weed growths, provide subsequent shelter for the annual hatch of growing fish fry. Black Lake is completely void of industry. This explains the unpolluted water that provides the angler with an incredible fishery that the lake is and will continue to be. Black Lake has NO fish consumption advisories as found in so many other waterways.
The lakes most dominant game fish are the smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, and once again walleye.
Previous to 1960 Black Lake was noted as one of the country's premier walleye lakes. The 60's and 70's saw a significant decline in the walleye population and in some opinions near extinction. Through the restocking and spawning ground rehabilitation efforts of the Black Lake Association, the Black Lake Fish and Game Club and the New York DEC the walleye situation has been reversed. Walleye in the 6-pound range are once again common and a few in the 9 pound range have also been caught. Late April the walleye stage spawning runs up both the Indian River and Fish Creek.
The black crappie, a non-native fish, was introduced to Black Lake in the 50's. Their population has expanded and has made Black Lake one of the most popular crappie fisheries in the United States. After ice out in the early spring crappie can be found in shallow waters thru the entire lake as well as the lake tributaries.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are especially abundant. Sports Afield Magazine once rated Black Lake the 3rd best bass fishing lake in the United States. In June 1998, Fish & Game Finder Magazine said "In June Black Lake brings about the best darned bassin' any where in the Northeastern United States." In the New York Fishing and Hunting News May 18th - June 1, 2000 issue Black Lake was rated #1 of the 10 best bass lakes in New York state. In the July, 2000 issue of New York Game and Fish Black Lake was rated as one of the top 5 best July bass lakes in New York state. The average largemouth is 2 plus pounds and the average smallmouth is in the pound and a half range. Lunker bass in the 4 and 5 pound range are fairly common with 6 and 7 pound hawgs caught annually.
Northern pike have benefited the most by the introduction of the crappie. Northern of up to 10 to 15 pounds are quite common and 15-pound pike are caught regularly, especially thru the ice. N.Y. Sportsman April 2001 issue reported that Black Lake is a great all-round fishery, but it's best feature is it's year-round pike angling.
There are muskie in the lake but not in significant enough numbers for anglers to target them. Every year you will hear of a big one being caught.
Channel catfish can reach 25 pounds although most average in the 5 to 8 pound range. Bullhead are very common and it is not unusual to catch them in the 1 1/2 to 2 pound range. Immediately after ice out, the bullhead angler can be found at night or early morning along the shallow shorelines or in his boat in the shallow coves and bays.
Bluegill are also very common in the shallow waters of the entire lake. 8 or 9 inch, 3/4 to 1 pound gills are not uncommon.
Yellow perch are without a doubt the most abundant fish in the lake. They tend to run small, up to 7 or 8 inches. But 13 and 14 inch perch have been caught quite regularly.
BLACK LAKE is quite literally a virtual Fish Factory.

"A FRESHWATER FISHERMAN'S PARADISE"