Great Sacandaga Lake (BS)

[hunts2long]

I think you mean walleyes and pike food....lol...h2l

[piscesman]

It was by #5 buoy in the center.... Thankfully years ago. Today wife and I fished off North Hampton Beach State Park about 300 yards off shore. 4 flags 3 fish, 1 keeper. no other flags were seen. Ice 8+" and snowmobiles all over. Good Luck out there...……
      Kim

[fordman]

It was by #5 buoy in the center.... Thankfully years ago. Today wife and I fished off North Hampton Beach State Park about 300 yards off shore. 4 flags 3 fish, 1 keeper. no other flags were seen. Ice 8+" and snowmobiles all over. Good Luck out there...……
      Kim

must be some  water on top with this rain?

[hunts2long]

Kim, the way I read it, I thought that in was this year. Still something you will never forget. My cousin and I went for a swim one Thanksgiving Day about 100yds off the beach at the campsite. We were about 10 years old and I think it was either 1952 or 1953. I know I still remember the walk home was a cold one. I grew up just outside the campsite. Glad you got some action today....h2l

[DerekF_17]

Hi all,
I’m headed up to the area next weekend. Probably George Saturday but thinking I may try GSL for the first time Sunday. Since I’ve never been there, hoping you can steer me clear of any trouble. My thought was park at Lakeside tavern and access a few spots about a half mile to mile from there.
Questions:
1. anyone know if the business is cool with guys parking there Sun mornings? I’m sure I’d have brunch there when done.
2. Anyone know of the typical or actual ice conditions in that part of the lake? Any known bubblers, areas of current, pressure ridges, etc?
3. Better to target walleye or pike on the south end?

Thanks in advance.

[pikeman]

We tried to get permission this year seeing as there’s snowmobiling tracks coming in and out but I guess they are trying to limit the parking lot for recreational use as it’s not overly big. We’ve always done better mayfield and north,especially for walleyes. But there is Wally’s that has parking if you’re determined to fish south.

[DerekF_17]

Thanks Pikeman. I looked at Wallys as well but that adds to the hike (no machine for me). Maybe I’ll try the north side. Appreciate the insights

[beerbellybob106]

We tried to get permission this year seeing as there’s snowmobiling tracks coming in and out but I guess they are trying to limit the parking lot for recreational use as it’s not overly big. We’ve always done better mayfield and north,especially for walleyes. But there is Wally’s that has parking if you’re determined to fish south.

I parked at lakeside a few weeks ago with no issues. Is this something new?

[pikeman]

Not sure. I know someone that has a camp nearby and has no problems walking from there onto the ice. But from the sounds of it,I think it’s just the matter of actually parking there. This was also over the phone,not asking in person.

[DerekF_17]

I’m good with going to the north side. I’ve found some contours walking out from Northampton beach I’d like to explore.  Any tips for a first time GSLer? I’d like to target walleye/perch, but pike can be fun too. Any ideas of the ice thickness near there?

[tipup28]

Went out of Northampton last Friday, 7-11" ice, very slow, we got two small walleye and a yellow perch on tip ups.

[Ghostcheff44]

 Anyword on the walleye challenge. Saw in the news a shanty went threw near lanzis

[Cowboys#1]

Herd through the grapevine someone went in this morning on the Broadalbin side. If true hope everyone is ok

[hunts2long]

One person air lifted to Albany Med after sled accident near Sport Island. If I hear anything more will post it....h2l

[Booker]

My son and I fished off Northampton Beach today. No luck. Saw a couple of other guys chase flags. Ice is 11-12 inches at every hole we drilled.

[DerekF_17]

First time at GSL

Spent 4am-noon off Southampton with 12 tip ups and 2 jigging. No sign of life

Spent 3pm-7pm on the South side. No sign of life.

Not terribly inclined to make a return trip.

In any case, 11-12 inches off Northampton. The channel near Lakesider was only 4-5 and some water on the east side. so take caution there. Once out on the south side of the lake got back to 8+

[Iceman12020]

There is a reason they call it the dead sea. 

Seems to be that kind of year, we haven't had great luck either fishing from the south end of the lake and we are fishing every weekend.

[walleye03]

Im looking to come up on Feb 15 to fish for pike but i have never been to the lake. Is there parking access around lake? Just want to make sure before making the trip north

[pmaloney86]

Im looking to come up on Feb 15 to fish for pike but i have never been to the lake. Is there parking access around lake? Just want to make sure before making the trip north

Take a look back a few pages.  Plenty of info on access.

[Hiram]

Im looking to come up on Feb 15 to fish for pike but i have never been to the lake. Is there parking access around lake? Just want to make sure before making the trip north

The Federation Tournament is that Weekend, it will be pretty packed I would think just about everywhere.

[hunts2long]

Walleye03, just to let you know. Feb.15 is the day of the Walleye Challenge, plus GSLFF contest. There will be about 2000 people fishing the lake that day. The WC is sold out but the GSLFF is open for pike, perch and trout. Parking will be a ZOO but what is one more....Good Luck///h2l

[Cowboys#1]

Walleye03, just to let you know. Feb.15 is the day of the Walleye Challenge, plus GSLFF contest. There will be about 2000 people fishing the lake that day. The WC is sold out but the GSLFF is open for pike, perch and trout. Parking will be a ZOO but what is one more....Good Luck///h2l

They won't have either derby. Everyday i see pics or hear about ppl/shantys/ vehicles going in. Just yesterday I seen a pic of a side by side that broke through. I'm not saying that there isn't safe ice. It's currently 39 out. Unless you get sub zero temps next week there's no way they can put that many ppl on the lake.

[Pike Paralyzer]

It’s been too mild of winter for the sac. If you’re not smokin belts, blowing through feet of snow and slush, or hoofing through it on foot, all with the chance of dropping through a soft spot, then you won’t recognize the true beauty of a nice GSL fish. 

[fordman]

They won't have either derby. Everyday i see pics or hear about ppl/shantys/ vehicles going in. Just yesterday I seen a pic of a side by side that broke through. I'm not saying that there isn't safe ice. It's currently 39 out. Unless you get sub zero temps next week there's no way they can put that many ppl on the lake.

the other day there was 13.5 at north Hampton campsite good ice

[Cowboys#1]

the other day there was 13.5 at north Hampton campsite good ice

Like I said there is safe ice but ppl come for out of state for the walleye Challenge. Ppl who don't know the lake like us locals. A disaster waiting to happen.

[fordman]

Gotta be smart always the east the least with the ice on big sections the west winds hit the east the hardest. Spud spud walk talk leave machines
Home unless you no for sure
West the best for the thicker ice

[paul23]

Use a bit of common sense and its a very safe lake. I see no reason not to have the contest.

[Cowboys#1]

Use a bit of common sense and its a very safe lake. I see no reason not to have the contest.

Temps in the 40s today!  You think all 2000 + ppl drinking all day will all use common sense? Hope they do have the challenge. Great for our local economy. Personaly I don't like the challenge. Why limit the amount of entries on a lake that big?

[paul23]

When do 2,000 drunks ever use common sense. See one hr above freezing.

[Cowboys#1]

That's in northville.  I'm in Mayfield right now and the temp is 36.  I'm sure all the ppl traveling for the challenge are going to go to the northern most point of the gsl