Sport Fishing on Cayuga Lake

Captain Doyle Gene Chatham, Jr.

Board member Tad Palmer discovered that fishing on Cayuga Lake can be a rewarding experience. He pulled in this eight pound lake trout last summer near Taughannock Point.

Cayuga Lake is rich with many species of sport fish, and I spend my time captaining a boat, fishing for trout and salmon. My fishing charter business is called Striker Charters, and I have been fishing the lake since moving to the area from Seattle in 1968.

In the spring of the year, I begin my fishing in shallow water at the south end of Cayuga Lake. The salmonids (e.g., brown, rainbow, lake trout, landlocked salmon) generally show at the south end because they feel or smell the change of water as spring run-off occurs. At this time, the smelt begin a migration toward tributaries for their spawning run and the trout and salmon wait to ambush them.

The presentation of lures must imitate this food source, and the speed at which the bait moves is critical to the tenth of a knot. I use all top water baits off planer boards at this time of year. these "stick baits" — Rapalas, Rebels, Bombers, etc. — are long, narrow lures that resemble a stick, or smelt, in shape. I never use live or frozen bait and prefer to keep a large selection of lures on hand in a variety of colors, sizes and actions. “Action” is the way a particular lure moves in the water. Generally, in clear water, lures with natural colors work best. In more turbid or stained water, bright colors (pink, chartreuse, bright orange) yield the best results.

When out on a charter trip, I troll for fish. In colder water, the troll speed needs to be slow (1.9-2.2 mph). In warmer waters, the speed may increase to 3.0 mph. There are many devices on the market to tell speed, water temperature and depth; and it has taken me years to discover the best products. If you make the investment and plan to use it in Cayuga Lake, be sure to purchase sonar that can measure depths of up to 600 feet!

As the season progresses and the surface water temperature increases, I start to move up the lake getting into deeper water. The lake water temperature starts to stratify, and the thermocline at which the fish hold goes deeper. You can find these different layers by chance or with the help of electronic equipment. Since this equipment can be expensive, I like to find someone on the water who has it already and obtain the information from him or her.

To place the lures at various depths, I use downriggers. Fishing deeper is important because salmonids prefer water between 49 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I will keep a few lines on the surface because there are always some rogue fish — especially rainbow trout — that will come up out of their preferred temperature to chase bait. Lake trout, however, are a little different in that they like the water temperature a couple of degrees colder than other fish, and they come much bigger and require larger lures, usually spoons.

My longtime dream has been that of being a fishing guide on the Finger Lakes. I’m happy to have accomplished this. To help ensure the continued health of our lake, I encourage clients to fish responsibly. Remember, it is critical to have a valid NYS fishing license and to follow all fishing regulations outlined by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Gene Chatham is owner/operator of Striker Charters, a local, privately owned fishing charter business. He is also a schoolteacher at Trumansburg Central School. To find out more about sport fishing on Cayuga Lake or Striker Charters, call 256-8214. Good luck and good fishing!