While dedicated salties eagerly await the return of striped bass to our shores, other anglers look for entertainment in the freshwater ponds that dot Long Island’s landscape. Like much of the country, largemouth bass are the most common freshwater gamefish here. But there’s a not-so-little “secret” within two of our lakes that make for a fun alternative to largemouth fishing in the spring: smallmouth bass.
I love smallmouth bass: Brownies, footballs, bronze-backs…whatever you call them, they’re a beautiful fish that pack a punch. Pound for pound, I think they are one of the most exciting freshwater fish to catch. A 5-pound largemouth bass fights with the strength, but not the intensity of a 3-pound smallmouth. They dig hard with sharp, quick turns to try and free themselves of the hook- but they’ll jump just as easily as they dive.
When smallmouth bass begin to move shallow, they’ll stage similarly to largemouth bass; they can often be found in groups, suspended along steep ledges and drop-offs or tightly hugging rock beds in search of warmer water and food before the spawning period begins.
On Long Island, there are only two locations for smallmouth bass fishing: Lake Ronkonkoma and Fort Pond (previously, they were also stocked in Fresh Pond on Shelter Island).
In last weeks report, these waters were briefly discussed in reference to the only two places anglers can target walleye on Long Island. A trip to Lake Ronkonkoma or Fort Pond is well worth it if you’re interested in changing up the typical freshwater game with either of these two species.
Lake Ronkonkoma, a kettle lake (and the largest lake on Long Island at 243 acres and nearly 70 feet deep), is rather difficult to fish from shore. But, between now and early June, anglers can find smallies patrolling the shallows. The sandy, weedy bottom of Ronkonkoma can be tricky to figure out due to a lack of natural structure. These smallies can best be targeted using soft plastics like ned rigs, Keitech paddletails, craws and small grubs on jigs between 1/4 ounce and 5/8 oz. Fishing Lake Ronkonkoma from a small boat or kayak will benefit the angler, but fishing any deeper than 15 feet is unproductive due to the murky, stained water.
Further east, Fort Pond (Long Island’s second largest lake at 160 acres and 26-feet deep) hosts a healthy population of smallmouth bass as well. Here, the water is noticeably clear in comparison to Ronkonkoma, and the rocky bottom creates the ideal smallmouth habitat. Ned rigs, soft plastics on jigs and suspending jerkbaits are some popular lures to throw at Fort Pond smallies. Most anglers trek to Montauk to visit the Mecca of surfcasting, but in the early spring, this pond is relatively untouched by anyone but locals.
From the Shore
Earlier this week, Montauk anglers Chris Albronda and Tim Regan had the Fort Pond smallmouth bass population chewing heavy. The two took advantage of a cloudy day and worked along Fort Pond’s pebbly shorelines in search of some seriously chunky smallies, and they were rewarded. Observing life and activity in the water around you can be crucial to deciphering a bite, and that is what Chris and Tim were able to do.
Tim and Chris dialed into a bite that was likely picking up in alignment with a yellow perch spawn. They used a variety of perch patterned lures, including one of Tim’s hand-tied yellow perch hair jigs, which landed him this fish of a lifetime.
Chris had no problem sticking some nice brownies with a jerkbait. During colder conditions, smallies are still active but are more likely to hit on the pause, especially with a suspending jerkbait.
Although it may be more difficult, or less comfortable, fishing the wind-blown side of a lake during the springtime is a productive practice. After some warm, sunny days any wind or slight breeze is going to blow the heated surface water across the lake, and the bigger fish will follow. Where the wind is blowing, there will be more activity because of warmer surface temperature and bait (like yellow perch fry) being pushed with the wind current.
From the Shops
At River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul McCain says the inconsistent water temperatures due to weather have made fishing relatively difficult. Nothing in the ball park of holdover stripers, but plenty of freshwater fishing is happening. Trout fishing the parks, Connetquot and Caleb Smith, are proving successful, as well as tidal sections of Carmans River. Paul mentioned that Massapequa Reservoir is being stocked, and back in February, Trout Unlimited L.I. stocked rainbows and brookies from Cold Spring Harbor in Massapequa Creek . Paul saw healthy fish coming out of McDonalds Pond at Hempstead Lake too, which is a good spot to take a kid fishing for trout. Carp are also getting active soon, especially in rivers like the Carman’s and in shallower ponds. They’re great fun (and challenging) on the fly and they offer good opportunities to take a kid fishing using a spinning rod and bread or corn. To learn more, stop by River Bay Outfitters’ show, the Fly Fishing Expo of Long Island at the Radisson in Hauppauge next weekend, March 26!
Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle in Oakdale is open and selling trout gear as well as bass gear. They were just shipped a ton of nice bass fishing combos, and for trout, they’re conveniently located just down the street from Bubbles Falls on the Connetquot. This is one of the only portions of the Connetquot River where a fly rod is not required. Largemouth bass fishing will be picking up over the next couple weeks, and Lake Ronkonkoma is just a quick 15-minute drive directly north from the shop.
White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays is awaiting the first push of stripers, but they’ve received mixed reports of slow white perch fishing and anglers resorting to largemouth bass fishing to keep busy before saltwater fishing picks up. Even so, fishing has been inconsistent due to fluctuating air and water temperatures. Stop in to have a reel spooled, pick up some plugs or just check out the offerings of the shop. Their team of specialists is happy to help point you in the general direction of the most productive bite until the back bays come alive.
Long Island Fishing Forecast
Freshwater fishing will only continue to get better through the rest of the month. Chain pickerel and largemouth bass will be prowling shallower water to fatten up, while black crappie and yellow perch can be found in big schools in slightly deeper water, or stacked up around different types of structure (submerged timber, rocks, tall weed beds).
Smallmouth bass will be biting well through this month and into April. Walleye will be spawning, if they haven’t started already, and can be plucked from mere inches of water for the nighttime angler. This type of fishing is similar to striped bass fishing; nights can be spent wading the sandy and rocky shores of Ronkonkoma or Fort Pond while looking for schooling bait and listening for surface blowups from hungry walleyes. Slight popping sounds pierce the night’s silence just enough to get the juices flowing for early season stripers, which will be joining the party soon enough.
Next week, Tim Regan will be back with his own weekly coverage of the Long Island Fishing Report! Thanks for checking in each week for the winter fishing reports from our local tackle shops and anglers.
Great job on the reports !