Anyone here fish the Finger Lakes?

[Fishing Nerd]

I'm going to be up in Ithaca second week of April. I am 99.9% a saltwater guy, save for a few casts out by Belmont lake and the swamp in Prospect Park. I'm going to have some free time up there, and I hear there are quite a few small lakes and tributaries that have decent freshwater fishing. I figure I'm going to do some sightseeing to see the falls and gorges there anyway, might drag along some light tackle in case there's anything worth targeting.

Anyone familiar with the area that has some recommendations to share?

 

[BoatGuy]

I can help you with wineries, but not fishing. I hear there are salmon in the big lakes. The only thing I can advise is maybe seek out a fishing guide for the first time.

 

[jpd]

They stock walleyes in several of them, in case you're so inclined.

 

[Fishing Nerd]

I can help you with wineries, but not fishing. I hear there are salmon in the big lakes. The only thing I can advise is maybe seek out a fishing guide for the first time.

Hehe, my first thought was 'Wineries? We have plenty of those down here, why would I do that?', then I remembered I was asking for fishing recommendations . Maybe I should check out the wineries too.

 

[Fishing Nerd]

They stock walleyes in several of them, in case you're so inclined.

To some extent it's almost embarrassing, I know zero about freshwater fishing. I can identify some saltwater fish in waters I've never even been to before, but right here in walking distance from my home there are fish I wouldn't be able to pick out of a lineup.

A guide probably isn't the worst idea, but I'm not expecting to have a lot of free time while I'm there, was figuring I'd poke away for an hour or two just to take a few casts. My plan was to take some light tackle, hit up a B&T while I'm there and see if the locals have any recommendations. One factor I'll have to consider is the freshwater license. Since it's probably the last time I'll fish outside of saltwater this year, it might not even be worth it.

 

[BoatGuy]

Hehe, my first thought was 'Wineries? We have plenty of those down here, why would I do that?', then I remembered I was asking for fishing recommendations . Maybe I should check out the wineries too.

Because there is a difference. If you like bone dry Resiling, you will be in heaven. Three that come to mind are Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Forge. BTW: Forge Resiling scored #31 in Wine Spectators top 100 wines of the world 2020. Its $19. Sorry, off topic. But since you'll be there.....

 

[Matts]

Wagner is my personal favorite brand up there.
Regarding fishing, remember, you need a license.
There are plenty of fish, but I would recommend hiring a guide to find them.
I put in many hours my senior year in the 80's with only some yellow perch to show for it.
carp might be spawning. they get pretty big in Cayuga lake.
I saw a 10lb brown someone caught from the bank at the canal at the southern end of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park.
supposedly the tributary creeks to Cayuga hold trout.
lots of boats troll deep for lake trout and salmon.
the area is so big, without a guide, it's like saying "is there any fishing in the long island sound?
good luck

 

[Fishing Nerd]

Because there is a difference. If you like bone dry Resiling, you will be in heaven. Three that come to mind are Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Forge. BTW: Forge Resiling scored #31 in Wine Spectators top 100 wines of the world 2020. Its $19. Sorry, off topic. But since you'll be there.....

As luck would have it I do happen to have a soft spot for Riesling, so I'll have to stop and grab one - thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Fishing Nerd]

Wagner is my personal favorite brand up there.
Regarding fishing, remember, you need a license.
There are plenty of fish, but I would recommend hiring a guide to find them.
I put in many hours my senior year in the 80's with only some yellow perch to show for it.
carp might be spawning. they get pretty big in Cayuga lake.
I saw a 10lb brown someone caught from the bank at the canal at the southern end of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park.
supposedly the tributary creeks to Cayuga hold trout.
lots of boats troll deep for lake trout and salmon.
the area is so big, without a guide, it's like saying "is there any fishing in the long island sound?
good luck

If I expected to have more spare time while I was up there (in daylight at least) I'd definitely grab a guide for a day, but the way it's looking I'm going to have a few hours at best. Considering the freshwater license requirement it might not even be worth my while, seeing as I won't likely do any more freshwater fishing after that (though I do expect to be in Ithaca a few more times this year).

 

[Pangaroo]

You won't have any snow up there now. Most areas have no snow on the ground. My land up there is in the Lake Effect snow band and it still has 7 -10 inch's of snow on the ground.