Photo by Jack Kidd
Canandaigua Lake
The fourth largest of the Finger Lakes, Canandaigua means “The Chosen Place” as named by the Native Americans. Unique features include a great holding area for fish, especially Trout, at the south end where there’s a drop off straight across the lake from Coise Point to Woodville and White Rock. Smallmouth Bass fishing is substantial and they’re well distributed throughout the lake. Canandaigua Lake Smallmouth average 1 to 3 pounds but 7 pounders are also caught each year. Look for them near deep drop-offs strewn with rock and rubble all along most points on the east and west shores plus Squaw Island and the pump house.
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hang around weed bed lines under rocky points or ledges such as Otetiana Point and Deep Run Park, as well as the weed beds in the south end. During fall, Smallmouth are found in similar areas to spring, especially the ledges along High Banks. White Rock, Granger Point and Cook Point hold largest numbers of fall Bass. Lake Trout are the most abundant species in the lake and maintained totally through stocking. The average Laker goes 21 inches and from 3.5 lbs. to as much as 15 lbs. Starting in March, Lake Trout are close to shore and near the mouths of flowing tributaries such as Seneca, Menteth, Tichenor and Willow Grove Points.
By June, the fishery moves from structure out deeper to where shallows meet dropoffs for spawning concentrated at 15 - 20 feet. Continue fishing off Squaw Island, the rocky ledges south of Long Point (high banks), above and below White Rock, the south side of Seneca Point and the rock bottom cover just north of Otetiana Point. Fish the shore there down to Deep Run Park, particularly around Stoney Island.
HOT SPOT: For spring Lakers, fish just out from White Rock in the south end.
After June, spawning Smallmouth head for deeper water. While some will disburse over the thermocline, others will
Fishing slows for spawning during late September – October. Then, it picks up and runs well into January with very large
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Trout leave the shallows in mid-June and head for just under the thermocline in the deep center of the lake. From early July to early September, downrigging works best. Night fishing is also popular in summer. Hang a dim lantern over edge of boat to attract bait. The Trout will follow them and take saw bellies fished at 50-70 feet.
catches in deep water to 150 feet. Onanda Park not only has winter access, it also offers the best shore fishing on the lake. TIP: On hooking and landing Trout. The Trout doesn’t swallow bait until after it has run with it. Don’t try to set the hook at first. Wait for the run and stop - set hook when he wants to run again and land him for sure. Brown Trout average about 3 pounds with 10 pounders taken here every year. The temperature oriented Brown Trout are caught in spring and fall at the water flumes of tributaries. In early May through June, they’re near shore in shallow water. Try trolling spoons on the east side starting from between White Rock and Whiskey Point. Fish along shore from sunrise until the sun comes up over the hills. You can also catch Browns from shore in Canandaigua on live bait in spring. Late spring, take them off the bar at southern end trolling parallel to weed beds at the drop off. Fair mornings, fly fishermen using large streamers are also successful at the south end of the lake. After fishing slows in the summer, Brown Trout fishing picks up in late October especially at the two outlet dams at the north end.