NORTHERN &
ADIRONDACK REGION
Early North Country anglers face problematic weather conditions. There will be minimal trout stocking until after the season opens. Many ponds will not be free of ice until mid-April, and snow melt will determine stream levels to a greater extent than in other areas of the state.

The Oswegatchie River downstream of Cranberry Lake, for example, is one of the few streams that might receive pre-season hatchery fish. Trout stocking usually kicks into gear by mid-April, starting in the Mohawk Valley and continuing through May working northward to the St. Lawrence Valley. An angler could spend the rest of the season sampling the famous trout streams in this region including the Ausable River, the Batten Kill, the Salmon River, West Canada Creek downstream from Hinckley Reservoir and the Black River.

The list of most noted rivers, however, barely scratches the surface of Blue Ribbon trout waters. Some of the best bets this year are the Bouquet River, Crystal Creek, Oriskany Creek, East and West Branches St. Regis River, Saranac River, South Branch Grass River and Kayaderosseras Creek.

Surface-trolling for trout and salmon just after ice-out is a traditional technique in this region, and highly effective when fish are prowling the shallows near shore. Some good bets this spring include Upper Chateaugay Lake, Lake Champlain, Lake George, Paradox Lake, Lake Clear and Meacham Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Schroon Lake, Brant Lake and Lake Luzerne.

For a wilderness experience, another option is packing a canoe into one of the innumerable Adirondack ponds for wild brookies. If you miss the initial ice-out shallow-water bonanza, brook trout will begin surface feeding on midge emergers as the water warms -- the period when black flies begin attacking in earnest should be about the right time.

The DEC’s Web site contains information on the current status of brook trout populations. Log onto www.dec.ny.gov and insert “Brook trout restoration” in the subject index box at the top of the page.

EASTERN &
CATSKILL REGION
Anglers can usually count on streams being fishable when the season opens in this region. But high, cloudy water is the norm, and a late run-off in the northern Catskills always makes high water a possibility.

Although a few snow flurries are to be expected during the early weeks, the icy banks and risky wading conditions that often occur elsewhere in the state are rare here. Fishing deep and slow with worms or minnows is the popular technique, where permitted.

Fly-fishing purists will likely resort to weighted nymphs and streamers. When the water temperature reaches 50 degrees, insects will begin hatching, and then dry flies and emergers will become the order of the day.