Fishing the Adirondacks
We'll be upfront — fishing isn't really our thing. When we're out on the water, we're usually focused on the paddle, not the line. But the Adirondacks are serious fishing country, and plenty of people do both — so we've rounded up the best resources we know of to help you plan your trip.
Video filmed and edited by PureADK for Elk Lake Lodge.
Elk Lake Lodge sits at the center of a 12,000-acre private preserve in the heart of the High Peaks region near North Hudson — ringed by Dix, Macomb, Nippletop, and Colvin mountains. It's been open since 1904 and is consistently ranked among the top wilderness lodges in North America. Brook trout, lake trout, and landlocked salmon on water that doesn't see much pressure. Canoes and rowboats included for guests. If you're planning a fishing trip and want the full ADK experience, it's worth a serious look.
Before You Go
You need a license. Anyone 16 or older must have a valid NYS fishing license — available online, by phone, or at most local sporting goods stores. Head to the NYS DEC fishing page for everything you need.
Know the regulations. Many Adirondack waters have specific rules around baitfish, catch-and-release, and invasive species. Check current regulations before you head out — the DEC site has it all.
Conditions & Reports
The best current fishing intel comes straight from the people on the water. The Hungry Trout Fly Shop posts regular stream reports with flow rates, temperatures, and what's working — right from the banks of the West Branch of the Ausable in Wilmington. Bookmark their site, and check it before any trip to the river.
Where to Fish
FishADK Gear
Represent the Waters You Love
Tees, posters, and prints for the angler who's also proud to wear their obsession. The FishADK collection — built for people who know these waters.
If You're Serious About It
Fishing the Adirondacks: A Complete Angler's Guide
Covers 200+ specific locations across the park — where to go, what's biting, and when. Respected by anglers from beginner to seasoned. One of the most thorough guides to ADK fishing out there.
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Good Places to Start
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VisitAdirondacks.com — Fishing GuideComprehensive overview of species, regions, and a free downloadable fishing guide.→
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Hungry Trout Fly Shop — Stream ReportsWeekly Ausable River reports plus guided trips. The go-to for fly fishing in the ADKs.→
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Elk Lake Lodge — FishingBrook trout, lake trout, and landlocked salmon on a 12,000-acre private preserve in the High Peaks.→
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Adirondack Explorer — Trout SeasonSolid seasonal reporting on openings and conditions across the park.→
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Field Mag — Backpacking, Packrafting & Fly FishingA trip report that captures the "hike in, fish a remote mountain lake" experience perfectly.→
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Trout Power — Brook Trout Citizen ScienceADK-focused 501(c)3 working to identify, map, and protect wild and genetically unique brook trout populations across New York. A cause worth knowing about.→
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NYS DEC — Licenses & RegulationsLicenses, current regulations, stocking reports, and fishing hotlines.→
From the ADK Journal
Unconventional Ice Fishing
A story by fellow ADK adventurer Valerie — who's since traded the Adirondacks for the mountains of Montana, where she writes about outdoor life at Backyard Montana.