Great Sacandaga Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Adirondack Park, and its vast deep waters are home to many different species of fish. The fishing is good here all year long, with spring and fall being slightly more popular than summer due to cooler water temperatures, and ice fishing permitted when the lake freezes in the winter. Just remember to pick up a New York State fishing license before heading out. Everyone 16 years and older must have a license to fish on Great Sacandaga Lake.
What’s Biting & Where
Recreational anglers can target a variety of fish species in Great Sacandaga Lake, including Adirondack walleye, landlocked salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout and northern pike.
Brown Trout & Rainbow Trout
These trout species are active all year long in Great Sacandaga Lake, but where to fish depends on the season. During the summer months, you’ll want to use lures mimicking injured baitfish for trolling deeper waters, or brightly colored spinners near weed beds and structures. In the spring and fall, brown trout and rainbow trout become more active near the water’s surface, and shallower areas near the lake’s inlets.
Landlocked Salmon
During the spring and fall, you can find landlocked salmon feeding near the surface and close to shore on Great Sacandaga Lake, where they can be caught by fly fishing, casting, or trolling with lures or bait. In the summer, as colder water sinks to the bottom, you’ll need to use downriggers or lead-core line to reach them in the deeper waters.
Walleye
For walleye, you’ll want to fish between 15 and 30 feet below the surface, especially during the summer months. However, these cold-water lovers sometimes move to shallower waters at night and during the spring and fall. Focus on areas with gravel or rubble bottoms, especially in the deeper northeast arm and the shallower southern basin, as well as around sunken structures.
Northern Pike
Known for its trophy-sized northern pike, Great Sacandaga Lake holds the North American Pike Record at 46 pounds, 2 ounces and 52.5 inches long. To catch one of these beauties, you’ll want to target weed beds where they meet deeper waters, or along the edges of aquatic vegetation and weed bed openings, using live suckers and large minnows for bait.
Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass
Great Sacandaga Lake offers excellent smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing during April-September. Smallmouths prefer cooler, clear water with rocky or gravelly bottoms and moderate vegetation near submerged logs and rocks, while largemouths can be found near dense aquatic vegetation and submerged cover, such as logs and dock pilings.
Great Sacandaga Lake Boat Launches, Marinas & Fishing Boat Rentals
No matter which fish species you’re targeting, Great Sacandaga Lake is an angler’s paradise. It’s also extremely accessible, offering several boat launches, full-service marinas, and fishing boat rentals.
For those planning to fish for the day, there are four public boat launches located in Northville, Broadalbin, the Town of Day, and the Northampton Beach Campground & Day Use Area in Mayfield, as well as boat rentals at Reets Bayside Marina. You’ll also find boat slips available for the season. To inquire about rates and availability or to make a reservation, please call (518) 332-3629 or send us a message.