Conesus lake Conesus Lake Tackle Box Walleyes Deep Running Large Billed Crank Baits, Fathead Minnows, Golden Shiners.
20A
256
CR 6
Physical Features: Elevation: .................818 feet Area: .................. 3,420 acres Length: ......................8 miles Maximum width: ..........1 mile Maximum depth: ........66 feet Thermocline: ....about 30 feet
Public Launches
Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area - Off West Lake Rd. (Rt. 256), at the south end of the lake.
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Yellow Perch Perch Rigs, Crayfish, Minnows, Small Jigs tipped w/minnows, Grubs
CR8
Conesus Lake Public Boat Launch - East Lake Rd. (CR6) 4 miles south of Rt. 20A.
Pebble Beach - Off Pebble Beach Rd., northwest corner of the lake. Sand Point - located off Rt. 20A, north end of the lake.
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Smallmouth Bass Crankbait Jigs, Bucktails, Mr. Twister, Flies, Crayfish, Minnows, Crabs ---------------
Northern Pike Shiners, Large Chubbs & Suckers, Spinners tipped w/Minnows, Silver Flat Fish, Crank Baits, Large Spoons ---------------
Largemouth Bass Plastic Worms, Spinner Baits, Plastic Grubs & Jigs, Shallow Crank Baits, Surface Lures, Mr. Twister Tails, Buzzbaits Minnows.
Conesus is a well developed and populous lake. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the best opportunities for visitor fishing are before 9am and after 4pm. During the other hours, the lake is busy with thousands of residents fishing its waters. Walleyes are very boat shy. Your best chance for Walleye is to use the Lake Erie method of deep running large billed crank baits 150-200 feet behind a boat off a planer board suspended in a deep central portion between Long and McPherson Points. When ice forms in the north end, fish for Perch, Pike, Walleye and Bass. Yellow Perch fishing on the lake is some of the best in the region. Off Long Point and between McPhersen and Old Orchard Points near the boat launch site area are the spots during spring and fall. TIP: For spring Perch, anchor along the edges of dormant weedbeds and still fish with worms, grubs or minnows. Using perch rigs (spreaders) increases the catch considerably. Still fish rocky bottom structure in deep water on the points between Long Point and Maple Beach in the summer. In fall, concentrate in the hole across from Cottonwood Point, the narrows between McPherson and
6
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Long Points and Eagle Point. Smallmouth Bass are more in the middle of the lake off structures at Old Orchard, Long and McPherson Points in the start of the season. As early summer warms the water, smallmouth locate in the deep water, deep weed lines and rocky ledges off points. Fly fishing can be very effective near shore in shallow water. Most of the best habitat is on the lower end on the west side along points from Long Point to Maple Beach. By late August, work the end of the points. October through November, fish over deep bottom structure. Northern Pike are well distributed throughout the lake and are especially good in the extreme north and south ends. Also try the Cove between McPherson and Old Orchard Points and between Long Point and the south side of Cottonwood Point. Most Northern Pike are caught in less than 30 feet of water on this lake. The majority of northerns spawn in Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area, so concentrate your early season action there. When they move to the flats, drift the bait slowly close to the bottom. After May, use a bobber to keep the bait off bottom.
TIP: TROPHY PIKE from 25 to 30 inches are often landed from weed beds north and south of Cottonwood Point especially in fall. Use large bait like a 12 inch sucker fished below a slip bobber. During summer, troll in and out of weed lines using a short wire leader to keep the razor sharp teeth from biting through the line. In winter, work shallow, weedy bays in the north and south ends or through the ice. Largemouth Bass are prevalent in the north end weed beds and take traditional baits on any given morning, especially at sunrise. July through September, fan cast or troll the well defined weed beds around McPherson and Old Orchard Points. The clear water requires small bait and tackle along the inside edge of weed beds or around docks at day break. At daybreak or sunset, cast buzzbaits just over the weeds. TIP: When water cools down switch to smaller jigs with a minnow or pork rind - slower fish slower retrieve. Still fishing live baits like small minnows under a bobber or a jig are more effective at this time.