Lakes and Ponds in Saranac Lakes Region - St. Regis Canoe Wilderness, New York Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions
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Fly Fishing Map of Lakes and Ponds in Saranac Lakes Region, NY
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Lakes and Ponds in Saranac Lakes Region - St. Regis Canoe Wilderness, New York Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions
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Trout and salmon fishing opened on April 1st 15th 2021. Statewide except where special area regulations apply. New regulations for catch and release and creel limits may have changed. Check out new regulations at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/fishguide.pdf Lake and Pond fishing has come early to the Adirondacks. Ice has receded and gone out early. 80% of our lakes and ponds are free of ice in our region. Water temperatures are extremely cold. Water temperature in the shallower bays continues to increase. Shallow bays are in the low 40's. Where snow continues to melt at higher elevations fishing inlet basins may be most productive. Bass remains closed in Franklin County until the 3rd Saturday in June. Water temperatures are extremely cold. Water is high. Snow melt is contributing to turbidity. Wade Safely. There are Bold Waders, and there are Old Waders, but there are No Bold Old Waders. Always have your life jacket on in watercraft.
Fishing Conditions

Fly Fishing Lakes and Ponds in Saranac Lakes Region is currently Just OK

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:

Fishing conditions: Our lakes and ponds have opened up. Water is extremely cold, and trout and salmon are still a bit sluggish. Oxygen levels are increasing. Lake and Pond productivity is increasing. Water levels are high. Trout are currently starving for oxygen as well as food. Be extremely careful. Cold water immersion is not to be taken lightly. Hypothermia can occur rapidly, and it is a life-threatening condition. Please wade safely and use boats with caution. Have the right equipment including insulative gear, clothing, polarized sunglasses and life jackets at this time of year. Water temperatures are extremely cold.

Inshore temperature: 42 Degrees F

Offshore temperature: 36 Degrees F

Type of bait fish are feeding on: Small streamer minnow imitations smelt and BND. Small aquatic invertebrates including caddis, chironomid and midge fly larva, shredding and sifting nymphs like Ephemeroptera siphlonuridae.

Fish species: Salmon, Trout, Pike, Bass & Panfish

Fishing season: Apr. 1st- Oct. 15th, 1st Sat in May to March 15th, Panfish all Year, Bass Opens 3rd Saturday in June

Nearest airport: www.adirondackairport.com

Person Fishing in a stream

Techniques & Tips

Flat-line trolling with sinking fly lines, and anchor down or wind drift indicator hang fishing are great techniques for early season trout and salmon. If you do not have a sinking line, try sinking heads and poly leaders. Trout have a tendency to zone feed through a layered and stratified water column. Nothing is better than your powers of observation. Are there any active trout cruising and feeding in any area you can observe? If not understand your contours and try your presentation or offering one zone depth below the surface layer. Count down your sinking leaders and fly lines. Keep your rod tip low and practice a slow retrieve speed. A simple hand roll is all that is needed.

7-Day Forecast

Water levels are high. Temperatures have been seasonally above average. Evenings are still below freezing, and it is not uncommon to get snow rather than rain. Have the right equipment including cold weather wading gear. Fishing pressure is slightly increased at this time because of recent trends in recreational fishing tourism. Follow state and local guidelines concerning the corona -19 pandemic. This can be a rewarding time to recreate in the outdoors, but practice social distancing.


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