For fishermen, Lake George provides one of the most fun and challenging fishing experiences around — salmon fishing. To maintain Lake George’s population of landlocked salmon, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) just released 15,000 young salmon into the lake during its annual salmon stocking event.
Landlocked salmon are recognized as a subspecies of Atlantic salmon because they never migrate to bodies of saltwater. Instead, landlocked salmon are raised in local fish hatcheries and then brought to a freshwater lake.
For years, New York’s DEC has stocked Lake George with landlocked salmon. The DEC releases about 15,000 young salmon into the lake annually. This year, the fish were released at Million Dollar Beach by the DEC and local elementary school students.
Beth Gilles, assistant director of the Lake Champlain/Lake George Regional Planning Board, told the Post-Star what she found out about this batch of salmon. According to Gilles, the salmon came from a fish hatchery in Ray Brook, and they are expected to grow to 17-19 inches long and weigh up to 15 pounds. The fish will eventually spread out across the lake, even reaching Ticonderoga.
Lake George fishermen are encouraged to fish for the landlocked salmon, but there are some special regulations for the area:
- Landlocked salmon need to be at least 18″ in order to keep
- The daily limit is two per licensed fisherman
- Smelt is their main food source, but it is strictly prohibited to use smelt as bait on Lake George
- You can fish for Lake George salmon all year
Salmon are a popular target for local fishermen because they put up a strong fight. Anglers usually hook one near the surface of the lake or right under the ice in the winter. Check out our fishing guide for more info on Lake George fishing!
If you are interested in other Lake George fish, the lake also includes lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smelt, and black crappie.
What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever caught in Lake George?
Sources:
Post-Star – Students help stock salmon in Lake George
News 10 – NYS DEC stocks 15,000 salmon in Lake George
DEC – Lake George
DEC – Warren County Special Fishing Regulations
