Chapter 15
Fishing
Through the Years
Fish to Catch
BASS
Bass are of the sunfish family, but are longer and larger than most of their cousins. Like all sunfish they have a spiny dorsal fin and hard scales.
Bass came to the Mohawk Valley from the Great Lakes in the early 1800s
by way of the Erie Canal. They have spread throughout much of the watershed.
Today bass are found in all but the upper reaches of the river, and are
quite common in the lower reaches of many tributaries. In addition they
are also found in such impoundments as Delta Lake, Hinckley Lake, Prospect
Pond and Beardslee Lake.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Reproduces naturally in the river and many tributaries, and in impounded
waters. Prefers moderate to fast water near rocks. Preferred temperatures
65–75 degrees F. Spawns in spring, May—June, over gravel or rocky bottom.
Preferred foods are insects (larva and adult), crayfish and small fish.
Smallmouth bass are brown to greenish brown and
often feature vertical bars on sides. The back corner of the mouth is even
with the eye. Average Size 10–14 inches, up to 18 inches; 3 pounds.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Not as common as smallmouth bass, however, they are occasionally caught
in the river and tributaries. Largemouth are also found in impoundments
like Beardslee Lake on East Canada Creek.
Reproduces naturally in river bays and in impounded
waters. Prefers warm, weedy water. Preferred temperatures 70–80 degrees
F. Spawns in late May through June, in shallow, weedy water. Preferred
foods are insects (larva and adult), crayfish, frogs, small fish . . .
and almost anything that swims that they can get in their mouth.
The largemouth has a green to black body with a
dark horizontal band on sides from head to tail. The back corner of the
mouth extends behind the eye—hence “largemouth.”
Bass season begins on the third Saturday in June and ends November 30. Refer to NYS DEC Fishing Regulations Guide for current size limit and special regulations.
WALLEYE
A
native fish of the perch family that reproduces naturally in the Mohawk
River, Schoharie Creek and in Delta Lake. Prefers moderate flowing, clean
but cloudy water with sand and gravel bottom. Preferred temperatures 60—70
degrees. Spawns in spring on gravel bottom soon after ice out and water
temperatures are 45–50 F. Preferred foods are fish, crayfish, insect larva
and worms that wash into streams.
Walleye are grayish yellow to brownish (golden) yellow with dark bands or blotches on sides. Has two dorsal fins and a forked tail that is white on the lower lobe. Canine teeth in lower jaw, and large “glassy” eyes that have a milky coloring around a darker iris. Average size: 15–18 inches, up to 20 inches; 3 pounds. Ten pounders are taken every year from the river.
Walleye season begins the first Saturday of May and ends March
15. Limit is 5 fish that are 15 inches or longer.
Refer to NYS DEC Fishing Regulations Guide for current size limit and
special regulations.
For in depth information on the Mohawk River and tributaries see:
Chapter Twelve The Tributaries
