New York anglers looking to fish beyond the traditional warm-weather season may already have a year-round option close to home.
WorldAtlas recently identified 10 lakes across the United States where fishing is permitted year-round, including New York's waters of Lake Erie.
Lake Erie borders New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ontario, Canada. According to the Great Lakes Commission, it is the shallowest, warmest and southernmost of the five Great Lakes. It is also the smallest Great Lake by volume, holding about 119 cubic miles of water, but is the fourth-largest by surface area at roughly 9,900 square miles.
The lake averages about 62 feet deep and reaches a maximum depth of about 210 feet. Its relatively shallow waters warm quickly during
the spring and summer and can freeze during the winter, creating opportunities for ice fishing.
Fishing Lake Erie year-round in New York
New York's Department of Environmental Conservation allows black bass fishing year-round in the state's Lake Erie waters, although size and harvest limits change during the year.
From Dec. 1 through June 14, black bass must measure at least 20 inches and anglers may keep one fish per day. Beginning June 15, the minimum size drops to 12 inches and the daily limit increases to five fish through Nov. 30.
Brown trout, rainbow trout, including steelhead, coho salmon, Chinook salmon and lake trout also have year-round seasons in New York's Lake Erie waters. Walleye and muskellunge, however, have different seasons and limits.
Smallmouth bass are one of Lake Erie's biggest draws. WorldAtlas noted that many weigh 2 to 4 pounds, with some reaching 5 or 6 pounds.
The fish can be found around rocky structure and drop-offs, including in water about 15 to 35 feet deep.
Anglers should check the latest DEC regulations before heading out. Fishing seasons, size limits and daily harvest limits vary by species and location, and some waters have additional restrictions.
Here's what other lakes World Atlas highlighted:
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Snow and cold weather do not shut down fishing on Lake Tahoe. The Nevada side of the lake remains open year-round, with anglers commonly targeting lake trout, also known as Mackinaw.
Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona
Fishing is permitted year-round on Lake Mead, where anglers target striped bass, channel catfish, bluegill and black crappie. Fishing is available from both shore and boats.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Florida has no closed season for freshwater fishing, allowing anglers to fish Lake Okeechobee year-round. The lake is particularly known for its largemouth bass fishery.
Lake Havasu, Arizona-California
Anglers fish Lake Havasu throughout the year for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, catfish and bluegill.
Lake Lanier, Georgia
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows year-round fishing on Lake Lanier, where anglers target spotted bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish.
Lake Michigan, Wisconsin waters
Wisconsin regulations permit year-round fishing on Lake Michigan. The lake is known for brown trout and lake trout fishing during the colder months.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Popular species including black bass, catfish, crappie and walleye may be fished year-round in Lake of the Ozarks under Missouri regulations.
Lake Texoma, Texas-Oklahoma
Lake Texoma is known for its striped bass fishery and supports year-round fishing for stripers, catfish, crappie and bass.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a year-round fishery for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish, according to WorldAtlas.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: WorldAtlas names 10 lakes open to year-round fishing
