BLACK LAKE -
INDIAN RIVER LAKES - OSWEGATCHIE DRAINAGE - CRANBERRY
The Annual
Black Lake Tagged Pan-Fish Marathon is fully underway and as I
understand it there has already been some tagged fish caught and
entered. These fish are worth $$$ and prizes, gift certificates
and more. Want to learn more about it? Get to Black Lake and for a
$ 6.00 entry fee you can also be a winner. All for a days fishing.
The contest is from now through July 6th, so there’s no
saying you didn’t have the time. In a nutshell, the locals have
tagged over 800 pan fish and released them into the lake for all
to fish for and enter for some big cash and prizes. One fish is
worth $ 4,000.00 alone, five are worth $ 1,000.00, and four are
worth $ 500.00. Many more are worth cash, gift certificate, and
even scholarship prizes. SO...Get to Black Lake and give your hand
a try. You can call the advertisers on these pages for info or
stop and see them today. They not only have the information and
registration forms you need, they can also outfit all your needs
from overnight accommodations of all types, to all the gear,
tackle and transportation, (boat / motor rentals), and more.
Personally
speaking, I’ll be fishing at least once a month as The New York
Fish & Game Monthly brings me to the area and my angling will be
done right from shore with a hook and worm...and possibly a cold
one. I know how to relax and just have fun...One of Black Lakes
mottos.
This month we
see the opening of bass and muskellunge, both of which happen to
be abundant in these waters. Musky are mind-boggling behemoths
that are as apt to snap your line as they are to give you a fight
of a lifetime. They grow to incredible sizes. To say that they can
exceed five foot in length and weigh in excess of fifty pounds is
not exaggerating. Many have been caught in Black Lake.
Bass, on the
other hand are a much sought after game fish and Black Lake has
been famed in past years to be ranked in the top ten bass
fisheries in the nation. I’d be willing to bet that is still the
case. Five and six pound bass are commonplace. There are plenty of
places on this largest of the Indian River lakes where plenty of
depth change and cover provide opportunity for ‘thee’ lunker to
thrive. Many of these lunkers in the past have found their way
onto many anglers’ walls.
Northern pike
and walleye are also abundant in these waters. To get there,
follow NYS Rt. 37 along The Sea-way Trail to Co. Rd. 6, or Black
Lake Rd. and you can’t miss it.
Another great
place to hit on this same route is the many other Indian River
Lakes, also along NYS Rt. 37. This Chain of Lakes surrounding, and
connected to The Indian River, also has all the bass, walleye, and
northern pike fishing one could want, and should not be
overlooked. There are many lakes to hit, with Red, Moon, and Hyde
Lake’s to name a few with plenty of access to all. These lakes and
the many other Indian River Lakes provide an abundance of trophy
cla ss angling. Here are some sure bet places to stop, or call, to
obtain first class accommodations:
McLear’s
Cottage Colony and Campgrounds, Black Lake, in addition to the
title’s features you’ll also find boat rentals, bait & tackle,
supply and gift shop and more.
The Log
Cabins, Black Lake, with classic cabins, store with gear, tackle,
gifts some groceries and more.
Ned’s General
Store, Hammond, where Black Lake Rd. meets NYS Rt. 37, is where
you WILL want to get one of their renowned sandwiches, or one of
the many oth er items one would find in a general store. Knorr’s
Grocery & Deli, Redwood, along NYS Rt. 37, Indian River Lakes
area, where not only groceries and deli can be had, but try the
custard ice cream here...DEE-LICIOUS. I believe it’s the only soft
ice-cream in this area. Go fishing. Have fun. Try these
accommodations, and tell them you saw it in the New York Fish &
Game Monthly. I do and it’s all a treat.
