Insider tips on finding your new favorite fishing spot
"Limit your catch – don’t catch your limit!"
Sure, anglers know their home fishing holes like the back of their hands, and it's true that some of them rarely divulge their favorite fly-fishing spots. Experienced anglers possess the knowledge of what fly or bait to use and when to use it. They also know where the hardcore, on-the-water-at-4 a.m. people go before the rest of us even think about getting up and heading out. What you may not know is where to find those honey-holes while on vacation in the Adirondacks. Here are some secrets to help you tap into that local knowledge and get you on the fish quickly.
Plan ahead and go local
The Whiteface Region is home to some of the best fishing spots in the Adirondacks, but you need to know where they are and how to fish them. Before you hit the road, do a little legwork. You can spend some time searching the internet, but if you go local, you will be amazed at what you find. Many times the visitors center or the local fishing guide shop will post great information for anglers, so you’ll likely track down what’s biting when and get a good idea about the proper bait and gear you’ll need.
Tips to finding secret fishing spots
- Don’t always believe what you hear or read about a river or lake. Fisheries change over time. River courses are often altered by storms, ponds are created by beavers, and fish populations can change.
- Anglers alter the truth — parts of a river can remain un-fished for a long time.
- Find access via lesser-used trails and old logging roads.
- Look for areas where the river or lake is difficult to access, like a steep bank. Tough-to-reach water means the fish are likely less targeted, bigger, and less easily spooked.
- Don’t assume that heavy hiking pressure means heavy fishing pressure.
- Even heavily fished streams have lesser-used sections. Consider taking a 10-minute walk further up river, down river, or around the lake.
- Look for waterfalls. Waterfalls have pools that typically hold larger fish.
- Locate flows in to and out of lakes and rivers. Often anglers fish lakes and ignore the productive water of the feeder creeks.
- Look for springs. The nearby river gets more water, can increase in size, and has better water quality.
- Bushwhacking where there are no trails can lead to surprisingly good trout water.
Ausable River Fishing Map
Our map of the Ausable River points out many of the fishing hot spots, giving you great ideas about where to start your fishing trip in the Adirondacks! Click the image below to download the map.
Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK
The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.
