Smallmouth Bass Fishing in New York
Check regulations
Check regulations
Year-round
Overview
The St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario offer world-class smallmouth fishing.
Thousand Islands region has become a top tournament destination for smallmouth events.
The Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers provide excellent wade-and-float smallmouth fishing.
Drop shotting gobies on deep rock structure is the dominant Great Lakes technique.
Best Waters in New York
- St. Lawrence River — World-class smallmouth fishery through the Thousand Islands with crystal-clear water and abundant forage.
- Lake Ontario (eastern basin) — Trophy smallmouth on shallow rock shoals and deep reefs.
- Cayuga Lake — Finger Lake with quality smallmouth on rocky points and shoals.
- Delaware River — Freestone river with excellent wade fishing for smallmouth in pools and riffles.
Local Techniques & Baits
Techniques
- Drop shot
- Tube jig
- Ned rig
- Topwater popper
- Jerkbait
Baits & Lures
- Goby-imitating drop shot bait
- Smoke-colored tube
- Z-Man TRD
- Megabass Pop-X
- Rapala Shadow Rap
Seasonal Guide for New York
SpringSpring Fishing
Pre-spawn in May on the St. Lawrence. Jerkbaits and tubes on warming rock flats.
SummerSummer Fishing
Peak season June-August. Drop shots and tubes on deep shoals and rock structure.
FallFall Fishing
Aggressive feeding before winter. Crankbaits and jerkbaits along rocky banks and shoals.
WinterWinter Fishing
Season ends as most waters freeze. Late fall (November) produces some of the biggest fish.
Regulations
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current regulations with New York Fish & Wildlife. Information shown was last updated 2025-01-01.
Specific regulations for smallmouth bass in New York are not listed in our database. Please check the official New York regulations for current rules.