About Black Lake
Black Lake is one of the most widely known fishing and vacation spots in New York State.
The lake is located in upstate New York, approximately 2 hours north of Syracuse. Black Lake is a natural, glacier lake formed by the same glacier that carved out the Great Lakes. The glacier melted from 11,000 to 15,000 years ago, toward the end of the most recent ice age. The resulting water created the lake. Black Lake encompasses an area of almost 11,000 acres, stretching over 20 miles and is hardly what anyone would call pressured. It is located amidst the huge pre-glacial rocks of St. Lawrence County.
About 4 miles across at its widest point, the lake is filled with many sandbars, underwater shoals, and rugged rocky islands similar to those found only in the northern-most reaches of Canada. It is a beautiful place indeed. A visitor can sit and view a picturesque waterway from lofty shores if for no other reason than to relax and get away from it all.
Natural splendor is only one of the many wonders offered here. Primarily the Indian River and Fish Creek feed the lake. Over 20 miles to the north, and after flowing through a river-like outlet, Black Lake empties into the Oswegatchie River where it flows over the Eel Weir Dam and ultimately joins the St. Lawrence River at Ogdensburg.
Thousands of anglers, both young and old, travel to the shores of Black Lake every year.
While some anglers are generally busy filling their coolers with perch, bluegill, and crappie others are challenged to land trophy size northern pike in the 10 to 15 pound range, largemouth and smallmouth bass (5lb bucket mouths are commonplace here), walleye, catfish, and monstrous muskie. All this while being observed by one of nature’s most efficient fishermen, the Great Blue Heron. The angler has his choice of literally hundreds of prime fishing spots—so many that seclusion is the rule rather than the exception.
From early May through ice over the fishing is great. The angler can take advantage of high quality fishing in relatively unspoiled and often scenic settings. At anytime, you will find the pure fresh air very invigorating. The days are rarely too warm and the nights are cool and refreshing. In the spring, after the ice goes out, the shoreline lanterns and campfires of the bullhead fisherman light up the evening sky.
There is crappie action here that is unrivaled elsewhere.
Anglers have proven that Black Lake crappie action is second to none in the Northeast United States for sheer numbers of fish. But this great action does not preclude the fact that 10 to 13 inch perch and 3/4 pound bluegill are very common catches from docks as well as boats. There is something for everyone to catch in Black Lake. The setting is one of serenity and peace.
Many times the urge to just absorb the divine quiet can overcome the desire to fish. But the fish are still around in abundance should the renewed urge to cast a line come back to you. Now don’t lull yourself to sleep! Just about the time that happens, there are big fish in this lake that will scare the daylights out of you with their vicious top-water strikes. If you have the occasion to frequent the backwaters, you may observe a 3 or 4 foot long garpike or a 20-pound catfish cruising the shallows. Now these critters are not game fish, but boy, what fighters. Black Lake is a grand place and is truly “A Freshwater Fisherman’s Paradise”.
