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See eagles and Osprey on Keuka quite often these days.

Lot of concern over the last couple of years relative to the sawbelly population on Keuka. Good news on that front Tuesday. Only managed one laker jigging that day but the one I got had 7 good sized saw bellies inside in him. Was fishing at the Branchport end. 

Will be interesting to see the results from the DEC 2017 Seneca Lake fish diaries. I sent mine in a couple weeks ago. I for one cut way down on my trips to Seneca because of the decrease in the lake trout catch. 

Think time of year is important. Have had good results in the same area in December in past years. 

Had similar results jigging at the Branchport end. Lots and lots of lakers showing up on both the east and west sides.

Along with the hard winters, a major flood hit Keuka in mid May, 2014. It turned the lake to chocolate brown, especially the shallower areas where the sawbellies spawn. Several heavy rain events occurred after that which kept the lake from clearing up. I remember thinking to myself at the time that the super muddy water would have to affect the fishing somehow. Possibly the combination of two hard winters and super dirty water at spawning time was a knock out punch for the sawbellies?? Who knows?

Really anywhere north of Roys in 90-120 fow has worked for me jigging lakers in the past. Probably south also but I launch at the north end. Look for laker marks on your ff below 60 feet. but note that 75% of lakers are right on the bottom and you do not see them until you drop your jig down to them.

If you google "The Cayuga Fisher" you will find a tutorial on jigging done by Hermit on this site. Also I buy all my jigs (super sharp) and paddletails from him. Good luck.

Jigging is a blast. Cast a 1 oz (sharp) jig with Chartreuse Lunker City Shaker downwind while you drift.  Watch your ff. As a  laker comes off the bottom, start reeling just before he gets to your jig and hold on. 

At the Chamber site, even a porti potty would be nice. I switched to the state park. They have facilities open  most of the time. Us old guys need that.

I marinate my lakers in Lemon Garlicious marinade (State Fair) I get at Tops and charcoal grill within 2-3 days after catching. Have had a lot of people say "Man, that is some good fish". Think it is key to put them on ice right after catching them. 

Just looking for metal frames. Will make a floor myself. 

The White Pine I have my favorite tree stand in broke off this spring and took out my stand (glad I was not in it). Have shot at a pile of deer from that location so I want to replace it. Thus am looking for some used scaffolding. Any thoughts where i might get some in the Finger Lakes area?. New stuff is pretty pricey. 

I grill my Finger Lakes lakers after marinating them in Lemon Garlicious marinade I buy at Tops. I have yet to hear anyone say they did not like them and some say they taste great. I put them on ice in a cooler as soon as I catch them and gut them before I leave the lake. I try to eat them within two to three days after i catch them. If I freeze them I eat them within 3 weeks. Just my experience.

Had same results yesterday but used black jig with green paddletail.

According to the Keuka Lake Association web site there will be a DEC meeting at Keuka College at 6:30 on June 12 concerning the Keuka Lake fishery. Alewife die off and fisheries health will be discussed. Should be interesting.

Sorry for the late report but did manage to boat 6 lakers (lost a couple more) about 2 weeks ago at the Branchport end in 55-70 fow on black painted 1.25 oz jig with green paddle tail. There was a good number of marks on the ff. Stopped at the park yesterday and saw a lot of brown water in that area so maybe the lakers have moved to cleaner water.

Also note post on a June Keuka Lake meeting.

Anyone know the date of the Keuka Lake DEC meeting that is supposed to be held in June?

Hit the north (Branchport ) end yesterday again. Lake trout still there in 75-100 fow but they had a serious case of lock jaw. Went into shallow water (20') for perch. First cast hooked into the Lac Ness monster or so I thought. Was actually my biggest Keuka Lake laker ever after fishing Keuka for 25 years. 31 inches (did not weigh). Sorry, not good with posting pictures. Ok - 20 fow, 2" long plastic perch bait, tiny tiny perch hook, solo netting job, and actually got him into the boat. This is after losing 5 lakers on last weeks trip. Go figure.

While loading my boat saw a guy at the state park launch hook into a big laker but he lost it. Looks like some big hungry lakers are in shallow water now. 

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State park launch wide open. They just put some rock fill at the end of the ramp where there was a serious drop off.

Got them on silver Kastmaster 3/4 oz and a white paddle tail (Lunker City Skaker) on one of Hermit's 1 oz. jigs.

Still decent numbers in north west corner of Branchport arm yesterday.75-90 fow. Only boated 3 but had at least 4 on and then lost them between 12:00 and 3:00.

Hit the north end of the Branchport arm again 2 Saturdays ago. Landed 8 LT and  lost probably 4 more. Hot bite was towards the end of the day at the very north end in 95-115 fow. Hot lure was 3/4 oz. silver Kastmaster. Was very surprised when I gutted them and found their stomach absolutely filled with small insects which I believe were Mysis shrimp (not 100% sure). Pretty hard to match that bait but luckily they also seemed to like Kastmasters. 

Decent number of lakers showing up on the fish finder at the north end.

Got a $100 underwater camera  from Amazon last week. Can not wait to check out the underwater view.  Cord goes to 90 feet. Like to drop it down into the bait schools towards the surface that have been showing up on the fish finder at the north end. Also want to see lakers and check for perch in shallower water.

Water level down as usual in the winter but if use ramp closest to shore I had no problem with my boat. I do have a problem with the boat going under the dock if windy but I rigged up a couple of 3 feet long sections of pvc pipe I hang from the dock with ropes that act as bumpers while loading and unloading

Hit the north end of Keuka out of the state park yesterday. What a terrific mid-January day weatherwise. Decent numbers of lakers showing up mainly over 160-170 fow but also at shallower depths near the bottom and suspended but not very cooperative. Got 4 and lost 2 jigging. Surprised at the amount of bait showing up in the top 30 fow. No Ice in sight even at the extreme north shore. Water temp 38 degrees. Only 2 other rigs in the parking lot. Sure a far cry from the full parking lot  2 years ago in February when the whole lake was iced over and covered with ice fishermen.

Will give it another try Saturday. 50 degree temps. Who needs Florida..

Kind of a related question for you saltwater guys. My son just moved to southern New Hampshire (near Manchester) only 45 milles as the crow flies from the Atlantic. Looking on line there are several party boats that go out of Hampton. Definitely want to have my son and I go out on one next year. My question is is there a time of the year that is better for catching tasty fish that another time of the year?  Or is there a time of the year we should stay away from? Thanks for any info.