How To Figure Out The Primary Forage

[KSanford33]

I live in northeast NY, so I'm curious to find out what the primary forage would be up here. I know crayfish (crawfish, crawdad, etc.) will be up there, and obviously bluegill, but what other forage would be prevalent up here?

[roadwarrior]

https://www.frankssports.com/PDF/baitfishofny.pdf

[KSanford33]

Wow, thanks Kent!

[casts_by_fly]

that's a really great pamphlet and I'm going to save it since NJ will be similar.

 

To get your specific lakes info, check out the biologist reports.  Usually the reports will list the primary forage for a lake and then go into the game fish populations and plans.  PA might have the best ones I've seen, but NJ isn't bad.  I haven't checked NY but this is what google is telling me.

 

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7730.html

[Jar11591]

Fellow Northeastern NYer here. In most of the lakes I fish, the primary forage is either yellow perch (#1 forage IMO), golden shiners, or crawfish. Bluegills and other sunfishes are obviously very abundant here, but they are a deep-bodied prey, so a perch or a golden shiner of a similar size would be preferred, all else being equal. Bass definitely prey on sunfish, but most every body of water here contains yellow perch, and they are slim-bodied, so I would consider them to be the primary forage of NE NY. 
 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by Jar11591
Grammar

[KSanford33]

35 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

Fellow Northeastern NYer here. In most of the lakes I fish, the primary forage is either yellow perch (#1 forage IMO), golden shiners, or crawfish. Bluegills and other sunfishes are obviously very abundant here, but they are a deep-bodied prey, so a perch or a golden shiner of a similar size would be preferred, all else being equal. Bass definitely prey on sunfish, but most every body of water here contains yellow perch, and they are slim-bodied, so I would consider them to be the primary forage of NE NY. 
 

 

 

Ha, a fellow Schenectadian as well! Not to hijack my own thread, but I primarily fish the Mohawk, Sacandaga, and Collins if I'm bored. What about you?

[Jar11591]

I fish Collins a lot because it’s only 10 minutes from me but man it can be stingy! Has some great fish in it though. The average size is impressive. Actually haven’t been out on it yet this year though. I primarily fish Adirondack lakes. Love Sacandaga Reservoir but haven’t been out on it in years. Lots of big small smallies there. I’ll need to get back on it soon. We’re lucky to have a ton of great bass water in the area. 

[Cory20]

Im from up that way! I used to fish frogs and big worms almost every evening on Round Lake. Its small, stained, and I'm not sure how much fishing pressure it gets but there used to be some amazing fish in there. It's great to read about some action up that way.

[A-Jay]

 

 A very important factor to consider when trying to 'predict' where to be & when revolves around what we think (or hope) the bass may be looking to feed on in that area.  My hunt for brown bass deals almost always revolve around perch & crayfish.  Sometimes that happens together but at least half the time, it's one or the other.  So knowing at least some of the habits of both is pretty important & usually helpful.  

  A good way to learn what primary forage may be is by using the live well.  When & where the state regs allow - retain your catch for at least a while.  Give them a chance to gag up/poop out some chow and show you what they've been dining on.  It may stink to high heaven but it's worth it !  The only other way to know for sure what they've been eating involves a fillet knife and I'll have none of that action.  

A-Jay

[the reel ess]

Catch one on a worm, then cut it open. Eat it of course so you aren't just wasting a bass. Craws are almost certainly on the menu. That said, I catch a lot of fish on things that don't resemble the natural forage. And a lot on things that do.

[KSanford33]

10 hours ago, Cory N said:

Im from up that way! I used to fish frogs and big worms almost every evening on Round Lake. Its small, stained, and I'm not sure how much fishing pressure it gets but there used to be some amazing fish in there. It's great to read about some action up that way.

I fish Round Lake a lot as well. It's still a quality fishery, but the fishing pressure has made it more difficult recently. But like you said, a frog or big worm will get bites regardless.

[Cdn Angler]

I always assume that Crayfish and Perch are on the menu. Then maybe smaller sunfish (pumpkinseed, bluegill, redear) and various minnows that are usually silver or greenish. And assuming young versions of the sunfish. 

 

It's annoying as I don't really know how to pattern any of the above.  I don't have a live well so no vomiting.