Chautauqua Lake Musky Guide Mike Sperry with a happy client sharing a picture of a revered musky catch from Chautauqua Lake. Photo courtesy of Chautauqua Reel Outdoors

In Chautauqua County, we are blessed to have multiple waterways where the biggest freshwater fish of them all reside: the muskellunge.

Chautauqua Lake is the premier destination for musky anglers who travel from near and far. Findley Lake and the three connected Cassadaga Lakes also offer musky fishing. The New York State inland lake season for musky will end this week on Saturday.

Chautauqua Lake is recognized as a premier, world-class muskellunge fishery, with many fish in the 40-50-inch class caught each year. Anglers employ a number of productive tactics when chasing musky, with better catch numbers from shallow areas along weed edges.

In these locations, trolling or drifting and casting are both effective methods. Trollers also see good action for larger, suspended musky caught over depths of 25-35 feet in the north basin. Chautauqua’s musky population is supported by an annual stocking of thousands of fingerlings (8.5 to 9 inches) in the fall, provided by the DEC Chautauqua Hatchery at Prendergast Point. A minimum size limit of 40 inches and a daily limit of one fish have been set to help maintain the high-quality muskellunge fishing.

Anglers are encouraged to release their catch without even bringing the fish into the boat. When muskellunge are handled carefully, the odds of surviving to be caught again are excellent.

Chautauqua Lake has a rich history of muskellunge management and culture, a legacy that connects today’s anglers to the tradition of musky fishing. The first efforts to culture muskellunge began in 1888 near Greenhurst (south basin), and operations were soon moved to Bemus Point, where the first permanent musky hatchery building was constructed in 1904.

The culture of muskellunge at the Bemus Point Hatchery continued until 1973, when all fish production was moved across the lake to Prendergast Point. This historical journey of musky management is a testament to the enduring culture of musky fishing at Chautauqua Lake.

Only a few folks know that where the original Bemus Point Hatchery once stood now sits the DEC Bemus Point Fishing Access Site, providing boat trailer launch access to Chautauqua Lake. Production of muskellunge at the modern Chautauqua Hatchery at Prendergast Point uses a combination of in-hatchery and outside/pond rearing to maximize survival of 25,000 to 30,000 (eight inch+) fingerling muskellunge stocked out to Chautauqua Lake and other area waters. This is the only DEC hatchery that raises pure strain muskellunge obtained from netting and egg collections on Chautauqua Lake. The one-acre hatchery ponds (12 of them) are also used to rear approximately 250,000 fingerling walleyes. These walleyes are stocked in Chautauqua Lake and other area waters.

Chautauqua Lake, the largest inland lake in Western New York, is a treasure trove for anglers. At 1,308 feet above sea level, it stands as one of the highest navigable waters in North America. With its 13,156 acres of fishable surface area and 42.5 miles of continuous shoreline, it offers a diverse and exciting fishing experience. For more information on musky fishing, connect with local musky guide Mike Sperry at Chautauqua Reel Outdoors (716-763-2947), located at the Asheville Bay Marina site. The best time to catch a musky here is right now, in November.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar:

Nov. 16-Dec. 8: NYS Southern Zone Regular (firearm) Big Game season

Nov. 23-Jan. 19: Late Canada Goose Season – South Area. See syllabus.

Nov. 30: Last day of inland Musky Season (Great Lakes musky goes through Dec. 15).

Nov. 30-Dec. 14: Pennsylvania Regular (firearms) Deer Season. See https://www.pgc.pa.gov.

Dec. 9-Dec. 17 and Dec. 26-Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone Late Bowhunting Season