• General Information
• Regulations
• Fishing Reports

GENERAL INFORMATION

Black Lake is one of the most widely known fishing and vacation spots in New York State. The lake is located in upstate New York, approximately 2 hours north of Syracuse. Black Lake is a natural, glacier lake formed by the same glacier that carved out the Great Lakes. The glacier melted from 11,000 to 15,000 years ago, toward the end of the most recent ice age. The resulting water created the lake. Black Lake encompasses an area of almost 11,000 acres, stretching over 20 miles and is hardly what anyone would call pressured. It is located amidst the huge pre-glacial rocks of St. Lawrence County. About 4 miles across at its widest point, the lake is filled with many sandbars, underwater shoals, and rugged rocky islands similar to those found only in the northern-most reaches of Canada. It is a beautiful place indeed. A visitor can sit and view a picturesque waterway from lofty shores if for no other reason than to relax and get away from it all. But natural splendor is only one of the many wonders offered here. Primarily the Indian River and Fish Creek feed the lake. Over 20 miles to the north, and after flowing through a river-like outlet, Black Lake empties into the Oswegatchie River where it flows over the Eel Weir Dam and ultimately joins the St. Lawrence River at Ogdensburg.

Thousands of anglers, both young and old, travel to the shores of Black Lake every year. While some anglers are generally busy filling their coolers with perch, bluegill, and crappie others are challenged to land trophy size northern pike in the 10 to 15 pound range, largemouth and smallmouth bass (5lb bucket mouths are commonplace here), walleye, catfish, and monstrous muskie. All this while being observed by one of nature's most efficient fishermen, the Great Blue Heron. The angler has his choice of literally hundreds of prime fishing spots---so many that seclusion is the rule rather than the exception. From early May through ice over the fishing is great. The angler can take advantage of high quality fishing in relatively unspoiled and often scenic settings. At anytime, you will find the pure fresh air very invigorating. The days are rarely too warm and the nights are cool and refreshing. In the spring, after the ice goes out, the shoreline lanterns and campfires of the bullhead fisherman light up the evening sky. There is crappie action here that is unrivaled elsewhere. Anglers have proven that Black Lake crappie action is second to none in the Northeast United States for sheer numbers of fish. But this great action does not preclude the fact that 10 to 13 inch perch and 3/4 pound bluegill are very common catches from docks as well as boats. There is something for everyone to catch in Black Lake. The setting is one of serenity and peace. Many times the urge to just absorb the divine quiet can overcome the desire to fish. But the fish are still around in abundance should the renewed urge to cast a line come back to you. Now don't lull yourself to sleep! Just about the time that happens, there are big fish in this lake that will scare the daylights out of you with their vicious top-water strikes. If you have the occasion to frequent the backwaters, you may observe a 3 or 4 foot long garpike or a 20-pound catfish cruising the shallows. Now these critters are not game fish, but boy, what fighters. Black Lake is a grand place and is truly "A Freshwater Fisherman's Paradise".

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NEW YORK FISHING REGULATIONS

It is, by no means, meant to be construed as a complete set of Regulations. These are just exerpts from the guide which is available in its entirety from any Dept. of Environmental Conservation Office or where you Purchase your Fishing license.
Please obtain a full copy and Obey our Conservation Laws.

FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Everyone, except persons under 16 years of age, must have a valid fishing license in their possession while fishing,

LICENSE PRIVILEGES & REQUIREMENTS
A Fishing License or Combined Hunting/Fishing
License entitles the Holder to;

• Take fish by angling, spearing, hooking, long bow and tip-ups; take frogs by spearing, catching with the hands or by use of a club or hook; and take Bait fish for personal use, all as provided by the Laws and Regulations of the DEC.
• The holder of a License, Tag or Stamp shall have such License, Tag or Stamp on the holders person while exercising any privilege of that license.
• The holder of a License, Tag or Stamp shall exhibit it on demand to any Police Officer, Peace Officer or the Owner, Lessee or other person in control of the lands or waters on which the License holder is present.
• No License or Stamp authorizes the holder to Trespass upon private lands or waters or interfere with property belonging to another person.

RESIDENT FISHING LICENSE
To qualify for a Resident Fishing License, One must;

• Be domiciled in New York State for more than 30 days immediately preceeding the date of application for a License ( Property Ownership is not required).
• Residency is that place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principle home and to which such person always intends to return, evidence of which includes that such person votes or is registered to vote in that place in elections for any Public office.

PURCHASING A LICENSE

• Fishing licenses may be purchased Statewide from license issuing agents (town and county clerks, some major discount stores, and many sporting goods stores).
• Licenses may be obtained by mail using applications available from license issuing agents and submitted to: NYSDEC License Sales, Room 151, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, New York 12233-4790.Fishing and Hunting License Fees

Notes:

1. Allows the holder to hunt both small and big game, and to fish.
2. Includes sportsman license (which includes fishing), plus bow hunting, muzzle-loader hunting, and turkey hunting.
3. Includes a super sportsman license, plus habitat and access stamp and subscription to the Conservationist.(Habitat and Access stamp is voluntary. Revenue from sale of this goes into a dedicated account within the Conservation Fund to be used for projects to protect and improve habitat and provide public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation).

• A person may not fish for a species {not even catch and release} during the closed season for that species on a given water.
• A person may not have in possession, or intentionally kill or injure fish other than the sizes specified and allowed for that species on a given water.
• A person may not possess, kill or unnecessarily injure fish in excess of the daily limit for that species.
• The fish an angler catches and immediately releases uninjured will not be counted as part of the daily limit for that species.
• A person may continue to fish for a species while in possession of a daily limit for that species provided all fish of that species subsequently caught are immediately returned to the water. Special provisions are made for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.
• A single, uninjured Largemouth Bass or Smallmouth Bass that an angler is landing, measuring or in the process of releasing from a recirculating or aerated livewell, is not considered to be part of the daily limit.

Each year, the last full weekend in June is designated as Free Fishing Days in New York State. During those two days, anyone can fish New York State waters, and no fishing license is required. This event started in 1991 to allow all people the opportunity to sample the incredible fishing New York State has to offer. Since no license is required, it is the perfect time to take a friend or relative fishing.

For additional information visit the

NY DEC's Fishing License Information Page
OR
Complete Information can be found in the
New York State "Fishing Regulations Guide"
as published by the Department of Enviromental Conservation.
This guide is available wherever you purchase your NY Fishing License or by contacting the
Department of Enviromental Conservation
Region 6 Headquarters
317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601
315-785-2262

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The Log Cabins
Jeanine & Ali Atieh
3114A County Route 6
Hammond, NY 13646
315-375-6691
EMAIL: fish@thelogcabins.com