SODUS BAY
Lately, Sodus Bay seems to host one or more bass tournaments just about every weekend. And rightly so, given its thriving population of largemouths. Just be forewarned: If you happen to sign up for one of those events, you’d best plan on losing a lure or two, especially if you toss spinnerbaits or deep-running cranks. This 3,000-acre Lake Ontario embayment in Wayne County is simply loaded with northern pike that are able to bite through thick monofilament or even one of the hard-as-nails super lines that most tackle shops are pushing these days.

Sodus Bay fairly reeks of pike -- and big ones, too. While the majority of northerns prowling the bay’s extensive weedbeds are in the 24- to 30-inch range, lunkers with mouths wide enough to accommodate a softball or a downy-feathered duckling are caught every summer.

In July, the bigger pike are likely to be prowling the outer edges of the weedbeds early in the morning. But as the sun climbs, you’ll probably get more hookups if you gravitate toward the deeper water, and either drift with large minnows or troll with big-lipped crankbaits. The bay’s heavier pike are inclined to suspend anywhere from 10 to 25 feet down, usually in proximity to points, dropoffs and other structures that attract yellow perch and other forage species.

To reach Sodus Bay, simply take the Thruway to the Geneva exit and then head north on Route 14, which leads to the village of Sodus Bay and Sodus Point State Park. The municipal launch at the north end of the bay and several fee-launch marinas afford easy access.

Start looking for pike in the water around Newark, Eagle and LeRoy islands, which are clustered in the northeast quadrant of the bay. If northerns aren’t active in the 6- to 18-foot depths between the islands, they’ll most likely be suspended and feeding in the deep hole immediately to the west. There, the bottom quickly plunges to between 38 and 44 feet. It’s the deepest area in the bay.

Another good spot for northerns is the area between Nicholas Point and Thornton Point, both of which reach out from the south shore of the bay.

For information on current fishing conditions at Sodus Bay, try the Bay Bridge Bait and Tackle shop.

MILLSITE LAKE
In Jefferson County, several lakes in the Indian River chain have healthy pike populations. But none is better than Millsite Lake at growing whoppers. Frank Flack, the DEC’s Region 6 fisheries manager, matter-of-factly logs reports of one or two 15-pounders every winter. He said that 30- to 40-inch northerns are fairly common catches during the warm months of the year.

Millsite, in the town of Theresa, has unusual contours for a pike lake. The average depth of the 506-acre lake is 42 feet, and the bottom drops off quickly in most places. Finding weedlines that are close to deep water is the key to getting regular hookups in July. And to that end, Flack advises visiting anglers to focus on the big bay in the middle of the south shore, where substantial patches of Eurasian milfoil attract forage species and providing excellent ambush cover for predators.

The old rule of “Big bait, big fish” certainly holds true at Millsite Lake, where ciscoes in the 8- to 12-inch range have the same effect on pike that double cheeseburgers do on many pike anglers. Large silver spoons are good imitations. But local anglers prefer to use the real thing, and precede their pike outings by catching a few ciscoes on small trout flies, teardrop jigs or other dainty tidbits.

Millsite Lake is northeast of Watertown. To get there, take Interstate Route 81 north to the Route 342 exit and head east on Route 342 to Route 37. Turn left, go about four miles and turn right onto Cottage Hill Road. A state boat launch is about a mile ahead.

The state launch on Millsite Lake has parking space for about 10 trailers, but is better suited to small boats (16 feet or shorter). Motors larger than 10 horsepower are prohibited.

Flack’s office in Watertown, at (315) 785-2261, has an excellent free brochure on the Indian River lakes. Several bodies of water in the chain have campgrounds on or near their shores, but if you would prefer motel or bed-and-breakfast accommodations, the 1000 Islands International Council, at 1-800-847-5263, can point you in the right direction.