Black Lake, NY Forum

This board has been awfully quiet for a while so I figured I’d give it a bump.
I did not get up to the lake to ice fish it this year but will likely be there in early June for some pike and whatever else is biting. Anyone else planning on hitting Black lake this year?

Also important, does anyone know when opening day for pike and walleye is this year?
DEC is unsure apparently.

This forum has been very tight lipped.
If you don’t already know I think pike and walleye season opens may 1.

It's always the first Saturday in May. If it's changed it would be good to know.

Long ago when the earth was still cooling and I was young (1950s-60s) it was May 1st. That's been changed now for quite a few years. DEC started soliciting comments last to their plan to revert back to that format last fall. Comments were to be submitted by early Feb. I contacted Fisheries in Albany to see if the change , and others, was to be implemented this year and was told that it was. If so, a lot of derbies are going to go off the 2nd weekend of the season instead of the opener. Messed up a lot of guides also, I presume.
No word yet.
Our State. inaction.

At 9;19 AM this morning NYSDEC announced that walleye and northern pike season for 2022 opens on May 1st.
Albany in action, (although misguided as usual.)

Did I also read the news update correctly stating that a legal crappie must now be 10 inches?

Legal size for crappie is now 10". Sunfish daily limit has changes to 25. I have not seen any waters exempt from this change, though there may be some.

I wish they’d change the pike limits to at least 24” and 2 per day.

Also important

Do not forget the new statewide inland musky regulations too!
June 1st opener (2023)
Note that in 2022, DEC will allow for the fishing of muskellunge begining the last Saturday in May to accommodate previously planned fishing trips.
I personally can not wait till the last Saturday in May! This will be my first year fishing Black lake and look forward to target the mighty musky!
Jigs

Yes very quiet. Will be up 3rd week of June for open of bass. This will be my 12th straight year. Fingers crossed that the fishing conditions don't continue to decline

I’ll be up for the 2nd week of June and will post reports daily. We’re 90% pike fishing but will report anything that we come across and catch. Here’s hoping for a some solid action!

Best of luck Team Toothy! Will be checking back for your reports daily praying for your success.