Henderson Sackets Dexter
Black River Chaumont

With the month of July upon us, it is time to get geared up for summer. Fishing, canoeing, sailing, swimming, four-wheeling, kayaking, backpacking, bicycling or just visiting this unique area can be a real treat. Henderson Harbor, Chaumont Bay and Dexter on the Black River have a great fishing atmosphere while Sackets Harbor has extraordinary history.  When you come to the Golden Crescent to fish, you will find it is one of the best, if not THE best fishery in the United States. World class trophy walleye, lake trout, consistently in the over 20lb. class, king salmon, steelhead, brown trout, northern pike, bass, perch, catfish and an occasional muskie make this a fisherman’s dream.

The Henderson Harbor Spring Classic Derby again had many trophy fish entered.  Dean Dodds, Hailesboro brought in a beautiful 11lb.8oz walleye to win first place in that division. Jack Strobel, Warners took second with a 10 lb.12 oz fish and Corky Backus, Mexico took third with a 10 lb.10 oz. In the northern pike division Mark Guzewicz, Weedsport won first place with a 15 lb,12 oz.  monster. John Upton, Dexter took second with a 13 pounder and Stephen Oliver, Dexter took third with a 12 lb, 6oz. In the brown trout division, Ron McMillian, Henderson took first place with a 15 lb, 7 oz. fish. Brian Noecker Sr., Henderson took second with a 14 lb,14 oz, and Bruce Baker, Millersburg, PA took third with a 13 lb, 12 oz. Lake trout division was Edward Moon, Elkland, PA with an 18 lb,15 oz. Second went to Walter Boyer, Shamokin, PA with one 15 lbs. and third was James Robinson, Paradise, PA also with a 15 pounder. Edward Moon, winner of the lake trout division was fishing with Tom Widell of Reel Action Charters, which won the captains pro purse by bringing in the largest lake trout with a charter captain. The other captains who won the captains pro purse were Mitch Franz - brown trout; David Pratico - northern pike, and Bob Jordan - walleye.

July brings the start of a few salmon being caught. The best area is usually in the shipping lanes between Galloo and the Duck islands. There is usually about a two-week period where it is pretty good fishing then they move on.  Best area is along the contour of the wall and where it drops off to deeper water. Northern King 28’s usually work the best in silver-glo-green, black-silver, silver-chartreuse, silver-orange and black-orange-white.  Walleye fishing starts to pick up in late July around Calf, Stony, Little Galloo, Big Galloo, Gas Buoy, North Shoal and Stony Creek. Deep diving lures such as Thundersticks, Reef Runners and Bombers work the best in gold-black, silver-black, blue-silver and perch color with mostly orange underbellies.  Best depth is anywhere from 30-120ft. of water depending on the day and conditions.

Big lake trout are the norm for July. Many fish in the 15-23 lb. range are consistently brought in with an occasional bigger one to 27 lbs. Best bait method is bell attractors in blue-silver, chartreuse-silver, glo-green, glo-white and watermelon with spin & glo’s, peanuts and Flat Fish following with matching colors. Depth of water varies from 140 – 220 ft. depending on weather conditions. These flats off Stony Point light is a prime area and in front of Stony Creek Bass season is in full swing with many places to fish them. Pillar Point, Chaumont Bay, Guffins Bay, Point Peninsula, Black River and Bay, Henderson Harbor, High Rocks, Stony Creek, Drowned Island, Stony, Calf, Galloo Islands and the gas buoy are just a few of the places. Stop in, or call one of the advertising marinas and they will be glad to point you in the right direction, plus tell you the best bait at that time. 

Some nice perch are taken in Henderson Harbor and Chaumont Bay this time of year. Around Cherry Island can be hot at times. Worms, minnows and small jigs work best. Also, the east shore of Henderson and White’s Bay. This is a great fishery to get kids involved with, as it is fun and relaxing for all. Call now and make arrangements for that fishing trip with a Golden Crescent charter guide captain. Ron Stein of ‘CR’ Charters; Arden Greene of Greene Connection; Lew Wescott of Salmo Charters; Bill Saiff III of Saiff’s Fishing Fleet; Gene Mussleman of Ginny-Pauline Charters; Scott Lennox of Pole Position; Dave Gardner of Lake Effect Charters and Bob Dick of Moby Dick Charters will all work extra hard to make your trip exciting, comfortable and safe. 

When in Three Mile Bay area, stop and see Debby Walker at Little Debby’s (formerly Kevin’s Country Inn). She offers daily specials with homemade meals and desserts. Thursday is Italian night; Friday is fish fry and Saturday is steaks, She also has Sunday specials. Her hours are 7 a.m. til and she is open seven days a week. She would love to have you stop in and try their Buffalo Burgers. She is located at Route 12E and Empie Rd.  Also please call or drop a note to the Three Mile Bay-Chaumont Chamber of Commerce and have them send out information on events that are coming up in the area throughout the summer. Chaumont-Three Mile Bay is one of the largest freshwater bays in the U.S. with many activities and great sailing and fishing.

Stop at the Duck Inn and see Chuck and Sandy Bliven. They offer home cooking with daily specials along with fish fry on Friday and prime rib on Saturday night. Remember they offer NY State Quick Draw as well as down home hospitality. The Duck Out offers a variety of flavors in hard and soft ice cream. Stop and see the Duck Away Motel also owned by the Bliven’s. They offer reasonable rates on this completely renovated motel with clean and comfortable rooms.

While in the area stop at Little “T’s” Resort on Pt. Salubrious in Chaumont Bay. Bret and Sharon Turner have efficiency cottages, a motel, RV hookups, playground, and a marina with gas, bait and tackle. They offer small boats with motors for rental. They also have easy access to great fishing with plenty of parking available.

If you are looking for supplies for that fishing, camping or boating excursion, stop at Dick’s Neighborhood Market and see Bill Wiseman and his helpful staff. He has a deli, bakery, groceries, propane and gasoline and is your NYS lottery agent.

George Brothers True Value on Main Street will fill all your hardware and fishing needs. They are open 8 am-5 pm Monday - Saturday and 8 am - noon on Sunday. Stop and see Robert and Mary Lou Bates and let them help you find whatever your needs may be.

While visiting the Black River and Bay area, stop and see Judy Kirch at B&J Bait Shop. They are located next to the launch in Dexter. Judy has tackle, live bait, crafts, rods, reels and the coffeepot is always on. She will have information on where and what they are using to catch walleye, steelhead or catfish.

Diane’s Coffee Shop is also located in Dexter. Diane welcomes fishermen and hunters along with her regular crowd for her homemade breakfast and lunch specials and enjoys making new friends and seeing old friends. While fishing in the area if you want to get that trophy or special fish mounted give Charles’ Taxidermy a call or drop your fish off at Henchen’s Marina in Henderson Harbor (a drop off/pick up point). Taxidermist Charlie Rawson does a fantastic job with years of experience and will also do reproductions if you release that special fish.

When passing the four corners of Route 3 and Sackets Harbor, stop at the NuPier Restaurant and see Chrissy and Bob. You can have a sandwich or a meal.  Whatever you order, you will get a heaping plate of food. Make sure you save room for their delicious homemade desserts.

While in the Henderson Harbor area, stop and see Bob and Diane Gamble of Henchen’s Marina and Fishing Camp. They have all your fishing needs including furnished cabins, free dockage, bait, tackle, gas and diesel. They are your LOC derby weigh-in site. Diane has a wonderful gift center. She has added lamps, candles and note cards to her already ever-growing shop. You must stop down and see for yourself. 

If you need any information while in the area on upcoming events for the 2002 season, please contact the Henderson Harbor Chamber of Commerce or drop them a note and have them send you the information to plan that trip to the area. The Charter House Inn offers comfortable accommodations on the water with superb dinners. Your hostess, Mary Lou Edmonds, also offers an excellent catering service for special occasions. Breakfast on the weekends and steaks, fresh seafood and sautéed specialties.

West View Lodge and Marina owners Hal and Carolyn Horton offer great hospitality along with deep water docking, spacious rooms and fine dining in the heart of the harbor.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Henderson Harbor, give John Delorme a call at Captain’s Cove Motel. John has much to offer with waterfront units, sundeck on the water and dockage. Also he has vacation rental and smoked fish. Elliott Realty owned by Bill and Deb Elliott will help you find that right piece of property whether it is a home, cottage or a lot to put that home on.  Give Bill and Deb and their wonderful staff a call and tell them what you are looking for. They have a wonderful office on the Harbor Road in Henderson Harbor. 

The Aspinwall Motel by the flashing light on Route 3 and Route 178 offers accommodations all year round. Owners Barb and Gary Bowman are ready to make those reservations for you and put you up in their clean and comfortable rooms and fill you in on local happenings in the area. Verrilli’s Lakeview Restaurant on Route 3 has a Friday fish fry and Saturday prime rib special along with many Italian-American dinners and sandwiches.

Stop and see Cindy and Lynn Shaw as they now offer pizza and wings. Cherry Tree Inn on Route 3 offers sandwiches and excellent lunch and dinner specials along with breakfast, which is their specialty. All are offered with great hospitality from the families of Deb and Jack Warner and Ron and Colleen Stein.

One mile south of the flashing light on Route 3 is Cooper’s Landing Family Restaurant. Owners Harvey and Sue Grimshaw and Mark and Sarah Sugden offer daily specials while specializing in American, Italian and seafood. They are open 7 days a week.

While in Henderson, stop at Alexander’s Corners General Store, recently opened on Route 3 in Henderson, two miles south of Henderson Harbor at Rhodes Greenhouses in the big green building. The deli is open and the store carries a full line of groceries, beverages, beer and cigarettes. They also sell hunting and fishing licenses. They have worms and propane. A tourist information center is being planned for area visitors. Stop in for a free cup of coffee and meet the friendly folks. They will be open year round 6 am to 9 pm. Stop and see Gary and Jolene Rhodes and say “Hi’.

OD Greene has two locations, one in Sackets Harbor and the other in Adams. If you are building or repairing, they have all your needs to do the job. When looking for hot dipped galvanized hardware, stainless steel fasteners, decking hardware, galvanized wire rope or nylon rope, stop at Hiawatha Fasteners in Watertown located on Murrock Circle. Mary Heitkamp also has a business in Syracuse to serve your needs.

When you come to the Golden Crescent to fish, you will find it is one of the best, if not THE best fishery in the United States. World class trophy walleye, lake trout consistently in the over 20 lb. class, king salmon, steelhead, brown trout, northern pike, bass, perch, catfish and an occasional muskie make this a fisherman’s dream.

The In-Fisherman April issue, which is known as the journal of freshwater fishing, came up with criteria for if you were going to buy a home near great fishing, where would it be? Number one was greater Portland, Oregon; number two was the Golden Crescent of New York. Henderson Harbor, Black River, Chaumont Bay, Three Mile Bay, Sackets Harbor and Lake Ontario with all its’ islands has all the structure to make this the perfect fishery. Not only is there a fishing atmosphere in places like Henderson Harbor, there is extraordinary history in places such as Sackets Harbor. The houses, churches and commercial buildings represent nearly two centuries of cultural and economic history.

Give the advertisers in this area a call or stop and see them as they can inform you of many of the other quality resources in this area. If you are looking to advertise YOUR business, give me a call toll free at 1-888-232-2827. Well, let’s get out there and enjoy this great area.

Remember; introduce a kid to the great outdoors. You will be glad you did. Capt. Bob Dick