Black Lake, NY

MJGriff · August 06, 2012, 09:14:55 PM

I mentioned in my "St. Lawrence River Smallmouth/ Early Autumn" topic that my father and I are headed to Alexandria Bay in mid-September. If smallmouth fishing is slow on the river we were thinking about shooting over to Black Lake (20 miles east) and giving that a go! If anyone here has ever fished on/at Black Lake....is there anything important we should know?
I am assuming that the best place to put on is at the Black Lake boat launch at the state park (middle of lake on west bank).
I've read some good things about the lake and since we're planning on being in Alex Bay for 4-5 days...I figure one side trip to another good fishing source is merely elementary...any thoughts???

Baron49 · August 07, 2012, 09:50:15 AM

Black Lake was once a premier fishing lake in NY. However, years of overfishing and becoming over grown with weeds has taken this lake from the spot light it once was in. This is not saying you cannot catch good fish, there are still big ones swimming around. It is just harder to find the better fish and with the weed growth it can be very difficult getting into some of the better bays to fish. You may also find you need to get in line and have to take your turn in some of the more popular spots around the lake. There are some deep water spots that hold Smallmouths and also Walleyes, the Largemouths seem to be found most often in and around the weeds. I suggest getting a good map as there are lots of rock shoals around the lake. The deeper ones do hold fish at times. The main public ramp, the last time I was there, is still in good shape and there is plenty of parking. There are a lot of good sized Northern Pike in Black lake as well.

MJGriff · August 07, 2012, 03:07:46 PM

Well...I'll take that as 'sort-of' good news...thanks! I guess the stuff I've recently read is a bit out dated. I think if we're having a good time on the St. Lawrence will stick it out....but I do like to have a plan B!

bigfatsmallys · August 10, 2012, 11:40:20 AM

Go try to get a few Walleyes for the frying pan & the heck with the Bass for the next month till fall frenzy starts, have a great time.

MJGriff · August 10, 2012, 07:17:26 PM

Fall frenzy eh? Tell me more of this....frenzy....when does that happen? Sounds good!

Like I mentioned...we've only ever fished the St. Lawrence in the Spring....we're taking a stab in the dark this mid-September trip I think!

basscop203 · August 13, 2012, 12:53:36 PM

I will be at black lake for a week starting Aug.18 staying at the log cabins will post daily reports if it helps. Been going there for the past 7 years had one bad year of fishing out of seven.

MJGriff · August 13, 2012, 02:08:22 PM

Quote from: basscop203 on August 13, 2012, 12:53:36 PM
I will be at black lake for a week starting Aug.18 staying at the log cabins will post daily reports if it helps. Been going there for the past 7 years had one bad year of fishing out of seven.

NICE! I'm looking forward to the reports basscop203

Baron49 · August 14, 2012, 09:03:26 AM

Will be very interested in hearing reports from Black Lake. Was thinking about taking a ride up there myself in the near future just to see what everyone is saying about all the heavy and thick weeds.

basscop203 · August 19, 2012, 07:06:01 PM

First day fishing black lake water is low clear and temp. 75. Started frog fishing first thing in the morning fishing was good untill 2 pm when the clouds moved out. Had 29 bass 2 to 3 lbs could not get a big bite all fish came from the big pocket below raspberry island. Went looking for small mouth and could only caught 6 fish nothing bigger then 2 lbs all fish came from rock point off the small island in 12ft of water. I am here for a week will post day two report tomorrow.

Baron49 · August 20, 2012, 08:24:43 AM

I read in the local newpaper that Black Lake is having a problem with "blue green algae" this year. I called to talk with the owner of the Log Cabins camp grounds and he says the warning was way over blown.

The warning was for Conger Island and Tavern Island, plus the local TV news has been carrying the story as well. It appears the rest of the lake is clear and should be no problem.

Just wanted to give a heads up.

Baron

basscop203 · August 20, 2012, 08:11:45 PM

I am staying here at the log cabins and yes the write ups are blown out of proportion for the algae. There is a green tin but no more then I see at home in Maryland. Fishing was slower today with blue sunny skies had several large mouth up to 3 lbs and several small mouths up to 2.8 lbs are fish came on senkos in 10 to 12 foot of water off the points of the islands.

basscop203 · August 21, 2012, 09:16:32 PM

Third day of fishing at black lake bright sunny day and fishing was slow 6 bites all day. Hope things get better tomorrow.

Baron49 · August 22, 2012, 10:17:36 AM

Wish you good luck. Looks like the weather is going to be beautiful for the rest of your stay.

MJGriff · August 23, 2012, 02:17:39 PM

Funny how the nicest weather days can produce very little fish...give me overcast skies anyday!
basscop: appreciate the posts and updates! Hope you fill the boat up fish for the rest of the trip!

basscop203 · August 23, 2012, 06:08:24 PM

Well the last two days have been the same sunny blue skies and add 25mph wind for today. Fishing was about the same fish for 10 hrs a day and hope for 5 to 6 bites biggest bite was a couple of 2 lbers. Just could not find the fish this year, had always been up to the lake in June or July and it was better fishing.

MJGriff · September 11, 2012, 04:30:53 PM

We're getting ready to head up to Alex Bay right now....sorry your trip didn't go a successfully as you had hoped basscop203!
If we get bored of the river (which I doubt) we may shoot over to Black Lake.

MJGriff · September 13, 2012, 05:37:14 PM

Well, the StLawrence is low! About 3-4 feet in the Alex Bay area!
So...we went over to Black Lake today.
Weather was a sunny 84 degrees and just a bit of wind. Water temp was 67 at 6am....rose to 70 by 1pm
Caught 8 fish....7 smallies and 1 largemouth
One smally went around 18 inches and weighed about 2lbs...real good fighter!
We mainly threw 3inch grubs (watermelon and chartreuse seemed to work best)
The lake does have a good bit of grass in it, especially on the sunlit sides of the islands. Most of are catches came from throwing at rock points along the islands and eastern shoreline.
Going back tomorrow....talk more then!

MJGriff · September 15, 2012, 03:35:54 PM

Day 2 was almost a carbon copy of day 1.
Caught about 10 total fish...more largemouth than small.
Fished with soft plastics and small spinner baits. The Gary Yamamoto kreature was working best for the largemouth. Fishing was best on eastern shore directly across from public boat ramp....anywhere there was some shade, less grass and some rocky points were good.
I didn't realize it was such a shallow lake (15-20ft).
Bought the Navionics phone app....love it!
Used Mapcarta a lot too!
Good fishing around Raspberry Island (thanks basscop) and NE to Crab Island and the other two around there!
Had 2 pike hit and steal our lures....after the third incident I added a steel leader....and of course no more pike hit my Texas rigged worm! x_x
Trips over....had a good time! Would've had better time if the water levels weren't so low!

PS: while we were there the grass situation is pretty bad.... Didn't have a problem with the algae!

Baron49 · September 16, 2012, 10:23:20 AM

Thanks for the report on Black Lake. I really need to get up there before the end of the year. Used to fish the lake on a regualr basis several years ago.

MJGriff · September 17, 2012, 08:08:20 AM

Baron49: If you do get a chance to fish Black Lake, let us all know how the trip went! I had a good time there...I'm glad I got the info from all of you fisherman before we went! Otherwise, I may never have known about the place enough to have taken a shot at it!

Baron49 · September 20, 2012, 11:58:41 AM

Quote from: MJGriff on September 17, 2012, 08:08:20 AM
Baron49: If you do get a chance to fish Black Lake, let us all know how the trip went! I had a good time there...I'm glad I got the info from all of you fisherman before we went! Otherwise, I may never have known about the place enough to have taken a shot at it!

Will do....have a few things going on here at home this year that are preventing me from getting time on the water, but hopefully will get time for a day trip up to Black Lake before it gets too cold.