Know When To Fish
The website Saratogian.com recommends waiting for the ice to be six inches thick before venturing out on Saratoga Lake or its tributaries. This happens around January, although early freezes will bring out plenty of ice fishers.
Species
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Protection, fish caught during ice fishing season in Saratoga Lake include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill, rock bass, pumpkinseed and chain pickerel. The website FishNY.com recommends both jigging and setting out tip-ups for these species. Baitfish should be in the small- to medium-size range, and if ice fishing for walleye, low-light conditions, such as dusk or dawn, are most successful.
Best Fishing Areas
The best ice fishing spots on Saratoga Lake include the ice off Franklin Beech near Fitch Road and on the northern end of the lake, according to the website Saratogian.com. According to NewYorkGameand Fish.com, the weed beds of Saratoga Lake are best for ice fishing, as well as the southern basin, either on the southeast shoreline just off Brown's Beach or the Snake Hill area. Depths of 20 to 35-feet lake-wide are also recommended.
Season and Size Regulations
As of 2010, in Saratoga County the ice fishing season runs from November 15 through April 30 for all species that are not regulated with length restrictions or closed seasons. For pickerel ice fishing, the season runs from the first Saturday in May through March 15 and catches are limited to five per day. Sunfish, which include bluegill, pumpkinseed and redbreast are limited to 15 per day year-round, which includes the ice fishing season.
Know Your Public Access Points
There are two public access areas available on Saratoga Lake, a launch spot on Route 9P that offers a parking lot for up to 100 trailers and for the first time as of 2009, the North Shore Marina on the northern end of the lake.
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