Early Season Kayak Fly Fishing on Canadice Lake

Nestled into the hills just a stones’ throw south of Rochester, Canadice Lake presents a wonderful opportunity for any fly fisherman who owns a kayak or a canoe.

I’ve had the opportunity to dip the bow three times so far this season, and Canadice has yet to disappoint. I’ve taken 7 species on the fly rod so far, and the opportunity for that eighth, ninth, and tenth will bring me back.

This largemouth bass couldn't resist a small popper.

So far I’ve managed to boat smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, big golden shiners, blue gill, sunfish, and crappie.

Certainly, all of these species are available for the spin caster as well, but the opportunity to take them on the long rod is especially evident here and is what really makes this lake special to me.

On my “to catch list” remain the rainbow trout, brown trout, and pickerel. Lakers also prowl the depths, as well as the rare landlocked salmon, but I’m not as confident I can take those on a fly.

Starting early mornings, pre season bass are plentiful, with the occasional “big one” hanging close to shore. Poppers and zonkers tend to work well, but I’m sure that Muddler Minnows and any bait fish imitation you have in the box will do the trick.

The panfish species are abundant as well, and grow to respectable sizes. So plentiful, in fact, that anyone targeting bass on the fly should find that they have a great day, numbers wise, even if to their annoyance. Since the tactics are so similar in some regards, you’re just bound to be able to catch a limit of bluegill and sunnies, and then some.

At the right time of day, which for me are normally early mornings, you’ll see the trout rising along the breaks, sipping at emergers. Paddling up quietly would appear to do the trick, but they have eluded me so far. Canadice tends to be VERY still as the sun comes up, so presentation is key. Anyone who’s fished for trout on a lake with a fly rod will know exactly what I mean.

So that leaves the chain pickerel, the toothiest of Canadice’s denizens. In my limited experience there, they tend to be hanging a ways off shore, in 6 to 10 feet of water, looking back in towards the tree lines for their next meal. A fellow fly rodder took a few on poppers while we were out, as they followed his big popper right up to the kayak. Have a fish grip and some pliers handy if you want your fly back.

Canadice is peaceful, and can give you the impression of “fine and far off” fly fishing even though you’re not that far off at all. Herons, osprey, tall trees and no houses make it a peaceful fishing experience, with only the occasional small outboard motor to cover up the calls of turkey from the surrounding woods.

It’s a lake any kayak fly fisherman should put on their “to do” list, even if only once.

Related posts:

1. Early Bass Regs and Black Lake
2. Pike at Mendon Ponds
3. Bass Season, Pike Overlap, and Things I didn’t Know
4. Another failed bass fishing trip…
5. Creek Fly Fishing in a Kayak
6. Ice-out (sort of…) on Conesus Lake, NY
7. A List of Things this Kayak Fisherman is Thankful for.
8. Boy + kayak + fishing pole + water = ?
9. Preparing for the 2008 Fishing Season
10. The Must Hit List for my Summer Kayak Fishing

Tagged as: Canadice Lake, Fishing Stories, kayak fly fishing, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, WNY Fishing, WNY Kayaking