The most common species caught along the Canal System include small and large mouth bass, walleye, panfish, northern pike, blueback herring and Coho Salmon. One can also find yellow and white perch, pumpkinseed, channel catfish and crappie at various locations along the system.

Fishing is available almost entirely throughout the 524 miles of water, except on the Champlain Canal south of Fort Edward. Fisherman say that areas outside of locks provide one of the best areas to make a prize catch. In addition, as the gateway to the Great Lakes and rivers of western and upstate New York, the Canal System will lead you to some of the country’s best trout and salmon fishing.

Fishing seasons in New York State are as follows:

• Small and large mouth bass – 3^rd Saturday in June through November
• Walleye, tiger muskellunge and northern pike – 1^st Saturday in May through November
• Other fish – in season year-round.

Everyone above the age of 16 must have a license to fish in New York’s freshwaters. For more detailed fishing regulations contact any New York Department of Economic Conservation (NYSDEC) office at www.dec.state.ny.us. Licenses are available at numerous sporting goods stores and bait shops, Town and County Clerks Offices and NYSDEC regional offices.

Here’s just a glimpse some of the hot spots:

• Tonawanda Creek– Good fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and crappie. Three boat launch sites provide good access.
• Seneca-Oneida River – Warmwater fish community abundant with yellow perch, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, bluegill, large mouth bass, white perch, channel catfish, walleye and crappie.
• Oswego River – The most popular and developed fishery in the Canal System. Approximately 150,000 anglers fish this annually to catch chinook salmon (exceeding 20 lbs.), winter steelhead (up to 20 lbs.), brown trout and walleye.
• Mohawk River – Exceptional warm water fishing including smallmouth bass and blueback herring. Tournament bass fishing is popular on this stretch and there is one formal boat launch site.

The 524-mile New York State Canal System is a network of navigable, inland waterways operated and maintained by the New York State Canal Corporation. The Canal System includes the legendary Erie Canal, the Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca Canals and more than 220 miles of scenic Canalway Trail.

For more details about fishing on the Canal System:
New York State Canal Corporation
P.O. Box 189
Albany, NY 12201-0189
800/4CANAL4

New York State Division of Tourism
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12245
800/CALLNYS

Regional Tourism:
Call a regional tourism professional for help with making your travel plans.