Best pike and muskie lakes in the Northeast: 12 lakes to fish

The lakes

1. Lake Champlain, Vermont

At 278,000 acres of water, Lake Champlain is a huge piece of water. The fish here are northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 400 ft.

Lake Champlain today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Sebago Lake, Maine

Sebago Lake covers 30,500 acres. The fish here are northern pike, lake trout, smallmouth bass and trout. At about 316 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work.

Sebago Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

At 2,560 acres of water, Lake Hopatcong is small enough to learn in a few trips. It holds muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 50 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Hopatcong today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Cayuga Lake, New York

At 42,800 acres, Cayuga Lake is a big lake. The lake is right by Union Springs. Expect northern pike, lake trout, trout and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 435 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Cayuga Lake is the longest of New York's Finger Lakes.

Cayuga Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake), Pennsylvania

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) covers 12,100 acres of water. You will find it near Randolph. Kinzua Dam holds it on the Allegheny River. Muskie, walleye, catfish and trout are the draw. At about 130 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Allegheny Reservoir is impounded by Kinzua Dam, one of the largest dams east of the Mississippi River, and is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest.

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Black Lake, New York

Black Lake covers 7,860 acres. You will find it about 6.1 miles northeast of Ogdensburg. Expect northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. At about 40 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Black Lake is the largest lake located entirely within St. Lawrence County, New York, and drains into the Oswegatchie River.

Black Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Chautauqua Lake, New York

At some 13,400 acres, Chautauqua Lake is a big lake. It lies within an easy drive of Erie (about 31 miles). Muskie, walleye, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. It goes down to about 44 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Chautauqua Lake drains south via the Chadakoin River toward the Allegheny River rather than toward the Great Lakes.

Chautauqua Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Shenango River Lake, Pennsylvania

Shenango River Lake is a reservoir of some 3,560 acres. It lies about 15 miles southwest of Youngstown. The fish here are muskie, northern pike, striped bass and walleye. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Shenango River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the Shenango River near the Ohio border.

Shenango River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Arthur, Pennsylvania

Lake Arthur is a reservoir of 3,220 acres of water. It lies near Prospect. The fish here are northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Arthur today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Bomoseen, Vermont

Lake Bomoseen spreads over 2,400 acres. It lies about 1.8 miles southwest of Fair Haven. It holds northern pike, catfish, trout and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 65 ft. Lake Bomoseen is the largest lake located entirely within Vermont.

Lake Bomoseen today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Winnisquam Lake, New Hampshire

Winnisquam Lake is a natural lake of 4,210 acres of water. You will find it next to Laconia. The fish here are northern pike, trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 155 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Winnisquam Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Spruce Run Reservoir, New Jersey

Spruce Run Reservoir spreads over 1,290 acres. It lies right by Clinton. Northern pike, trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. Spruce Run Reservoir is New Jersey's third-largest reservoir and serves as a backup drought-protection water supply.

Spruce Run Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Pike and muskie through the year in the Northeast

The water temperature on the day matters more than the calendar: each lake page on LakeScope shows today's surface temperature and how the fish should react to it.

• Spring: Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
• Summer: Warm water. Bigger fish move deeper; best early.
• Fall: Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
• Winter: Cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.