May trip - needing some help...with the wife

[Bigguyone]

Looking to come out and fish for a week or so in May 4-11th or so...wanting to catch numbers of 3lb smallies. Lived in the west and use to catch a lot of them but now live in TX and needing some smallmouth action. Looking for a lake where we can catch numbers and rent a decent cabin closeby and find a boat to rent. If have to, I can hire a great guide, if can not locate a boat to rent. Greatly appreciate your help as have not fished NY before. Thought about trying to do Erie and saw Chatauqua whcih could be a good place to catch some fish with the wife and then maybe I coudl get a guide for 2 days on Erie....thoughts or better recommendations?

THANK YOU

[mflora98ss]

I think you’re right on with planning a Lake Erie and Chautauqua lake trip. I wouldn’t look any further if it was me.

Some good info in this thread shown below about fishing Erie and Chautauqua.
https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1222797

[Joekrow]

I agree with both suggestions. I own a place Westfield which is about a mile to the Lake Erie Barcelona boat launch and 30 minutes to Chautauqua. If you want to get into some big smallies look into northern Lake Ontario. The southern end of Ontario is not great for smallmouth but is for salmon both kings and cohos.

[ECobb91]

I agree with both suggestions. I own a place Westfield which is about a mile to the Lake Erie Barcelona boat launch and 30 minutes to Chautauqua. If you want to get into some big smallies look into northern Lake Ontario. The southern end of Ontario is not great for smallmouth but is for salmon both kings and cohos.

Anywhere north of Sandy pond is off limits for Lake Ontario until June 15. There is no permitted catch and release season past that point. Anywhere south of Sandy pond pond and westward to Buffalo is open for catch and release.

another option would be Oneida. 3lb smallies are all too common

[jerzia]

another option would be Oneida. 3lb smallies are all too common

Great Walleye fishing as well. Very close to Syracuse and just I-81.

[mflora98ss]

The Finger Lakes are also a good option for 3-6lb smallmouth that time of year.

[Bigguyone]

Appreciate all the feedback. Do you think possible to rent a decent bassboat with atleast electronics on any of the mentioned inland lakes? On Erie I would for sure do a guide. Thank you

[ECobb91]

I honestly don’t know of any lake in NY that has bass boats rentals. Usually it’s pontoons or 14ft aluminum boats with 15hp motors.

[Fireball]

In May on Lake Erie the Buffalo end is the place to be for size and numbers but also for harbor protected waters in high winds. The 2 best guides I can recommend are:

https://www.northeastoutdoors.com/

https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/dire...guide-service/

[Bigguyone]

Any great guides for Chatauqua

[jerzia]

At that time I would seriously consider Oneida. Bill Lortz guides there as well as Ontario, and will definitely put you on fish. https://www.nynorthcountrybassin.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nynorthcountrybassin

[OH_Ranger]

Any great guides for Chatauqua

http://www.eriebasscharters.com/?fbc...wdP33mq7sEiVLY

He fishes Presque Isle. I would call him. Maybe he would do Chatauqua.

[Fireball]

For a Chautauqua Lake guide try contacting Mike.
https://www.chautauquareeloutdoors.com/

I highly doubt an out of state Great Lakes charter captain would be a licensed “Guide” to do business on inland waters in NYS. A 6 pack captain license needed for the Great Lakes isn’t honored where a guide license is required.

[MonstBlitz]

In May on Lake Erie the Buffalo end is the place to be for size and numbers but also for harbor protected waters in high winds. The 2 best guides I can recommend are:

https://www.northeastoutdoors.com/

https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/dire...guide-service/

^What he said!! Mid may the smallmouth fishing on Lake Erie is off the charts and it couldn't get any easier fishing out of the Small Boat Harbor. You can get a guide if you want, but honestly I doubt you really need one. 3 years ago I fished Erie for smallmouth for the first time and it didn't take me long to find the fish at all and I'm no pro. The guides will find you some hot spots out on the lake, but if you want numbers in the 3 lb range, fish the breakwalls and you'll find 'em!

[Joekrow]

I know you said NY and if looking to fish from shore there is great smallmouth fishing at presque isle state park south or north pier. Every smallmouth that goes into the bay to spawn goes through there.

[KandKKustomz]

Id go to oneida

[PsuHntr]

I'd look at Presque Isle in the middle end of May...the fishing is incredible and almost every smallmouth you catch is 3-5 pounds....If you want a guide we went out with Dirty 30 Lake Erie Charters last year for Walleye in the evening and had a blast...he does smallmouth also.