Are HABs affecting your fishing?

[billmac]

I've been wanting to get to Black Lake NY to fish, but haven't managed it yet.  My wife pointed out that harmful algal blooms have been reported in the lake and I see they are popping up everywhere and making the news.  Has anyone here seen them or had your fishing affected by them?  Just curious.

[J Francho]

Here is probably the best source for info: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html

 

 

 

And here is the map: https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ae91142c812a4ab997ba739ed9723e6e

 

There are three sites noted in the bay I frequently fish in, but it hasn't really affected anything like the high water has.

[billmac]

Yeah, I saw that.  Looks like it is only one spot on Black Lake so I think I'm still going to go out.

[J Francho]

I heard a few reports of good fishing on Black Lake.  I've had terrible luck there at the few tournaments I fished, years ago.  I somewhat attribute that to my boaters, as I did not get to fish where I'd prefer.

[billmac]

J Francho: I'm finally feeling comfortable with my boat, so I want to get out and do some serious fishing.  It's only a little longer drive to Alex Bay and fish in the 1000 islands area.  Would you recommend that over Black Lake?  I'd love to catch some big bass but I'm happy fishing for anything.

[J Francho]

The 1000 Islands is a big place, but the fishing can be great.  Both have good fish.  I can figure out Black Lake myself, but I'd want someone that knows the 1000 Islands well enough to help.  You might try a twofer and fish both.  That's what I'd do, since both are clear on the other side of the state.  Not what I'd call a day trip for me.

[billmac]

I'm still more comfortable on smaller water so maybe I'll hit BL first.  Both are a little over an hour away from me.

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, billmac said:

Both are a little over an hour away from me.

Lucky!

[J._Bricker]

@billmac, black algae and blue-green algae blooms don’t affect the fish or fishing. We’ve been dealing with it out west in the Delta for some time now. It’s definitely a concern for pets as it is deadly, and those swimming. 

[ike8120]

Yes they have, Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, NJ. they do not  allow any swimming, wading and pets in the water here, Yeah right. I haven't fished here since the first out break now there is a second one. Better safe then sorry.

 

 

[WRB]

Golden algae kills fish, blue green algae is treatable with copper sulfate and doesn't kill fish to the best of my knowledge.

Tom

[RichF]

I've fished Black Lake multiple times during algae blooms.  Never seemed to affect the fishing.  I've only fished Black Lake twice this year and not since the beginning of July.  It was tough which I attribute to the lack of good milfoil on the lower portion of the lake.  Early tournaments this year were being won with around 14lbs.  That being said, I would still fish it over the St. Lawrence (just because I like green fish more).

 

Just an fyi, there will be a 35+ boat team tournament out there this Saturday and a smaller 10+ boat tournament there Sunday.  The pressure might make it a little tougher. 

 

PS. The chunks in my avatar came from Black lake last year;)

[billmac]

Rich,

I haven't fished the lake since I was a kid camping at Eel Weir, and then my parents basically just trolled for pike.  Any tips for someone going out the first time?  I'm up for bass or pike (or anything, really).

[boostr]

Nope, had a really good day on Lake Hopatcong When the HAB was at its peak  . I just fished shallow. Maybe the minimal amount of water activities turned the bite on.

[RichF]

1 hour ago, billmac said:

Rich,

I haven't fished the lake since I was a kid camping at Eel Weir, and then my parents basically just trolled for pike.  Any tips for someone going out the first time?  I'm up for bass or pike (or anything, really).

Look for rock humps with grass around them.  Warning marker bouys are your friend.  Dont' overlook the obvious stuff.  Pretty much all of the main lake islands normally have grass patches around them with pretty significant drops.  Dog days of summer can be tough. I'm usually using big jigs out there but I'm also only looking for 5 to 7 bites a day.  If you're looking to just catch fish, try drop shotting a 4-6in worm around the weed edges and rock drops.  

 

The north end where it narrows is choked with milfoil again this year.  You can definitely catch them flipping that stuff but it will take a LONG time to find the sweet spots among acres and acres of grass.  You should be able to get some froggin the slop too.  Not all slop is made equal though.  Slop with clean water underneath = success.

 

Good Luck!

[billmac]

Thanks!  If you are fishing for bass, do you use steel leaders or something to keep the pike from biting off?

[RichF]

2 hours ago, billmac said:

Thanks!  If you are fishing for bass, do you use steel leaders or something to keep the pike from biting off?

Nope. I'm generally using 15 to 20lb fluoro and 40 to 60lb braid there so I don't get bit off that often. If it happens, it happens. 

[Jleebesaw]

I would stick to the south/ west end of the lake. The end with the state launch.  It's usually better fishing. Maybe just easier fishing. Right now the lake is full of algae. It's the typical green stuff that always fills black lake up. It's not the dangerous stuff. So dont be alarmed if you go there and see that it looks like pea soup. I was there Saturday morning. I started fishing just before daylight and caught 7 bass before 9am. One smallmouth was a dink, but the rest of them were all over 17". One LM was 20.5". I should have weighed that one. 

      There is a good community hole almost directly across from the boat launch. If you have a map, just stay above big island. There is a rock pile with a flag pole on it and a couple nice humps nearby. That's a good starting spot for you. You will catch a couple there to get the skunk off you. Then you can explore from there. I got a LM there and the dink smallie by that Sunday. The rest i got on the 3 small islands between that spot and the launch. 

      The fishing is good on black lake. Like someone else said, rock piles and islands are the ticket. Beating the bank is tempting, but offshore is more productive here. It's a weedy lake and most of the bays are choked up. 

[billmac]

Thanks guys.  Now I just have to shake loose enough time to go.

[Jleebesaw]

On 8/19/2019 at 10:50 AM, J Francho said:

The 1000 Islands is a big place, but the fishing can be great.  Both have good fish.  I can figure out Black Lake myself, but I'd want someone that knows the 1000 Islands well enough to help.  You might try a twofer and fish both.  That's what I'd do, since both are clear on the other side of the state.  Not what I'd call a day trip for me.

Or, skip alex bay and go to chippawa bay. It's a short drive from black lake. That's where I usually go if I want big smallies. I fish ogdensburg and waddington too, but chippawa is really close to black lake. Chippawa gives you the option of staying in the bay if its windy. Theres some nice LM in there. Or you can get in the main river. If you go downstream toward morristown there is some crazy smallmouth fishing. I watched KVD hammer them on an island there a few years ago. He sat there for 2 hrs culling fish. That's been a good waypoint for me!

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, Jleebesaw said:

That's been a good waypoint for me!

Gettin' on the bent rod pattern!

[billmac]

9 minutes ago, Jleebesaw said:

Or, skip alex bay and go to chippawa bay

I've been eyeing Chippewa Bay.  I'll add it to the list.

[NYWayfarer]

The local state park here is closed as of Tuesday for swimmers and waders due to a harmful algae bloom. Seems to happen every August.

 

 

[billmac]

Which park?