Fall fishing in the Northeast: what bites and where

What the fish do in fall

• Smallmouth bass: Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
• Yellow perch: Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
• Trout: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Largemouth bass: Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
• Lake trout: Moving deeper. Fish 40 ft and down.

1. Lake Champlain, Vermont

Lake Champlain covers 278,000 acres of water. The fish here are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. At about 400 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

2. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

At 44,600 acres of water, Lake Winnipesaukee is a big lake. The fish here are smallmouth bass, lake trout, yellow perch and largemouth bass. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

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

3. Seneca Lake, New York

Seneca Lake covers some 42,800 acres. Lake trout, trout, smallmouth bass and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 618 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

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

4. Lake George, New York

Lake George spreads over 28,800 acres of water. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout and yellow perch are the draw. At about 196 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.

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

5. Moosehead Lake, Maine

At 75,500 acres of water, Moosehead Lake is a huge piece of water. Lake trout, trout and smallmouth bass are the draw. It goes down to about 246 ft. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look.

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

6. Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts

Quabbin Reservoir covers some 24,700 acres. The fish here are lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 151 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

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

7. Sebago Lake, Maine

Sebago Lake covers some 30,500 acres. Lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout and northern pike are the draw. The deepest water is around 316 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

8. Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania

Raystown Lake spreads over 8,300 acres of water. Striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye are the draw. It goes down to about 200 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

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

9. Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania

Lake Wallenpaupack spreads over 5,760 acres. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 60 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

10. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut

Candlewood Lake spreads over 5,420 acres of water. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout. It goes down to about 90 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

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

Reading the water

Before a fall trip, look at three numbers on the lake page: the water temperature, the wind and the bite windows. Together they say where the fish are and when they feed.