Clarence Fahnestock State Park

[Uncle Crappie]

Went to  Fahnestock For the holiday ! Got a few crappies and small bass my girlfriend got a pickerel .We had a great time brought charcoal ribs burgers for the picnic area. 7 dollar an hour boat rentals on Canopus Lake ! if you go to grill remember your wire grill brush we used our corn in the husk LOL it worked after the flames cleaned the grill .Park staff was great and other people very friendly!

Check it out great day trip close to NYC
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/133/details.aspx

[Biz-R-OWorld]

I live not far from there.....tried Pelton Pond a few times this year and got a few decent crappies....what time do the boat rentals open??? where did you go once on the boat?....

[Uncle Crappie]

Stayed around the drop off around the lake west side Canopus . Boats run until 6pm for sure Ithink 8 or 9 am open. We rented there for two hours 14 bucks After late lunch at pelton. I caught a baby smallmouth in pelton years ago  but not many in there ! 

[Biz-R-OWorld]

I was thinking of going Saturday from whenever they open till 11am....what do you use at bait? Id like to get a pickerel...

[Uncle Crappie]

My girlfriend got him on Canopus west end .She had 8 lb test slip bobber set at 5 ft small split shot 8 in above small  hook Big Night crawler Rigged loose in the nose so lots of action on its own and just drift the dropoff all around the lake.Canopus is not deeper than 15 0r 20ft but 15 ft off the shore is 10 ft already fish that edge .Use beetle spins and 6ft diver plugs along the same edge.Just follow that around the lake . Hey check this page for Pickerel tips.

 http://www.fishresource.com/fish/fish014.asp


I got this Pickerel last week in Croton on a spinner bait

[Biz-R-OWorld]

Thanks for the info....was thinking about getting shiners for Canopus but I guess I'll just go with worms and lures.

[Biz-R-OWorld]

that pickerel from croton res. or croton falls? how big was it? looks pretty thick too

[johnjav]

its called Canopus lake.  Its really pretty, but fished pretty heavy.  I fished there for years and got a few 2 pound bass.  It only 15 feet deep!  Pelton pond has rainbow trout stocked if you want to fish for trout there. 

[Uncle Crappie]

New croton is Hawg heaven ! That pickerel size about 21 just about 3lbs . I catch them that size almost every time I go in the day they dont feed after about  4 or 5pm most often . They love anything that shines and weedless . Canopus is tough But not many skilled anglers fish it so there is fish to be had! Just the Big smart ones

[Biz-R-OWorld]

I never fished Canopus yet...will give it try this Saturday.......Fished Pelton a few times from shore, and just a few crappies and sunnies...seen a big snake also.

[Uncle Crappie]

You should go early! fish the shore until the boat opens The area around the boat dock , Ive got bass and pickerel off that dock around that cove . Theres not many deepweeds ,crankbaits still will work  until those weeds thicken!

[Biz-R-OWorld]

Good idea...I think the boat rental opens at 830am they said....you suggest fishing right off the dock? or somewhere behind the little rental house thing? Also I have seen people fishing off big rocks up farther just past the rental house when you pass it on your right.

[Uncle Crappie]

Move around a bit ,the shore without trees by the dock is good early before the sun gets real hot ! Use 1 live bait rod and cast around a beetle spin you get somthing for sure! once the suns up high fish deeper or underover hanging trees ive spotted pickerel under trees sitting in place during the day. Goodluck get us some pics big or small no matter.

[Biz-R-OWorld]

Will do.....live bait such as? shiners, sawbellies, worms? worms I could get at walmart, etc.....for shiners/sawbellies, whats the closest place? Bob's is a trip from there.

[Uncle Crappie]

You cant beat shiners but unless you want to keep the fish worm or lures are best so they dont get gut hooked.Im not sure  who has  live shiners up there sorry . I have not used sawbellies or shiners in 12 yrs .Ive only used live bait in Salt lately . But im gonna get some shiner this year and try for those NEW CROTON HAWG PERCH !