[DoryJohn]

Well the annual Lake George trip is coming up and I was thinking I'd try to catch my own shiners / minnows this year. I actually caught a few large ones on a sabiki rig last august but I need more than a few since the extended extended family is coming. Can I get them in a killie trap? What bait would I use in the trap? Cat food, butter, fries, bread? I can chum them up and throw the cast net over them also.

 

[DandJfish]

Best to check the regs first.

I would check the DEC regs for the Lake George Region if i were you before putting out any traps, as you might just catch a lot more than shiners

.

 

[morning dew]

Use a size 12 eagle claw baitholder hook ( snelled) and tiny piece of worm under small bobber. If you cannot get them take off the bobber and just flip out the hook nd worm like you are fly-fishing. As for the trap I have never really done great trapping shiners ( fatheads yes). I usaully use bread -make sure your trap is not too long like D&J said or you'll get a ticket( best I have ever done is about 15-20). Also make sure you are not transporting them to another lake due to the VHS ( thats why they give you a receipt now when you buy minnows at a B&T). Heard they make a great Fluke bait when fresh dead as well.

 

[hairbone]

I live a few miles away from Lake George NY and know the whole 32 miles fairly well. It is a trout water and you should not use a bait trap. The smelt are a stream spawn smelt and are too small to effectively jig for bait like a lake spawn smelt and are illegial to use. The are cisco located in three areas of the lake and are the best bait fot lake trout in the winter.

I use 3" grubs, troll deep diving crankbaits and spoons for bass this time of year. Drifting with 3" minows is great but gets expensive quick! I haven't done any fishing on the lake much in the past few years as I sold my large boat and there are so few salmon it isn't worth bothering for them. If you want Lakers and have the equipment get inline with the charter boats and you will have lots of action.

The best place to get bait is at fish307.com( Formerly known as Peace Pipe of Bolton) located on route 9 south of Lake George village.

The better fishing is located in the north basin because there is less fishing pressure and less boat traffic.

If you want any more info the lake send me a pm.

 

[tomjg]

I always catch my shiners on bread balls and a very small hook. The trick for me has been to get out very early in the morning to find the schools. Finding the schools is always the hardest pat, although not too hard. Once I find the schools I put a dozen or so away- that's if I avoid the temptation to throw freshly caught ones right out!

 

[ICEMAN17]

I have had good luck using a small #14 black nat fly under a small clear slip bobber and nailed em pretty good, plus its fun!