Largemouth bass fishing in New York freshwater

In New York freshwater, largemouth bass peak May–June and October–November and are around year-round, spawning in June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Pre-spawn in the bays — bass season opens later in the spring in New York; check DEC.

Now · October

Peak

No note for October — see the months around it.

Largemouth bass in New York freshwater, month by month

JanuaryAround
FebruaryAround
MarchAround
AprilArriving
MayPeakPre-spawn in the bays — bass season opens later in the spring in New York; check DEC.
JuneSpawningOn the beds; Champlain and the St. Lawrence bays.
JulyAround
AugustAround
SeptemberAround
OctoberPeak
NovemberPeak
DecemberAround

Where to fish largemouth bass near Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain

Oneida's walleye and perch, the Finger Lakes' lakers, Champlain and the St. Lawrence for bass and muskie, Catskill trout rivers, Adirondack ponds, and the Great Lakes runs (see the lake guides).

Structure it holds on

LakeReservoirPond / pitRiverCreek / streamDock / pilings

Towns and waters

Finger LakesOneida LakeLake ChamplainSt. Lawrence RiverLake GeorgeCatskill riversChautauqua Lake

What to use for largemouth bass

Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.

Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
Hook#2–3/0
Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
Braid10–30 lb

Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.

Questions anglers ask

When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in New York freshwater?

Peak season is May–June and October–November, with fish spawning in June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are here year-round. May: Pre-spawn in the bays — bass season opens later in the spring in New York; check DEC.

Where do largemouth bass hold in New York freshwater?

Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River, Lake George, Catskill rivers.

What is the best bait for largemouth bass in New York freshwater?

Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.

What are the rules for largemouth bass in New York freshwater?

Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and change — read the current rule at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license.

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All about largemouth bass · New York fresh water, the whole year

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