Saratoga Lake is an extremely fertile lake with a pH of 7.6. Its diverse structure, bottom contours and varieties of vegetation are attributes which yield a “veritable fish factory.” This top-notch fishery has been well written about in both state and national magazines for its quality and quantity of fish. Below is a breakdown of some of the available species and how you might catch them.
“Thoroughbred Bass’n” is hard to beat with large schools roaming the weed beds all summer. Big topwaters in the morning can produce lunkers for the livewell. When the temperature begins to rise, try a 4- to 5-inch worm or Spider Jig “flipped” into the weeds in 8- to 12-feet of water. When the sun begins to set, a 1/4-ounce all-white buzz-bait is hard to beat.
Lake record: 10 pounds, 2 ounces
Since the introduction of Zebra Mussels in 1994, Smallmouth fishing has become better and more popular. Stick-baits with props from 5 to 8 inches are deadly on calm days. With light winds, try a plastic grub worked slowly down drop-offs, and on real windy days, a 1/2- to 3/4-ounce Rat-L-Trap in Fire Tiger or Silverado colors should produce.
Lake record: 8 pounds, 4 ounce
Many Pike in the 8- to 14-pound range can be found all over. Effective artificials include suspend baits, giant spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps of either 3/4 or 1 ounce. Truly, the best bait of all for these toothy critters is big live bait (7 to 14 inch). These baits should be rigged on heavy tackle and fished from 5 to 14 feet of water with the use of a slip bobber.
Lake record: unknown
Aggressively sought after all year, these guys can be both easy to catch or nearly impossible. In the spring, you can find schools of these fish roaming outside weed edges. In the summer, they go deep… as much as 60 feet! Trolling crankbaits or downriggers is then your best bet. In the late fall, they can be found over the rocks in shallow water and can net you a quick limit. Ice fishermen do very well with the use of small suckers from 3 to 5 inches.
Lake record: 14 pounds, 3 ounces
From ice-out till the weeds get thick, these fish can fill your stringer in a heartbeat. Fat-head minnows or tiny jigs in green or white are the local choices. Both are fished under either a weighted casting bobber or small slip bobber in 6 to 12 feet of water along drop-offs or over emerging weeds.
Lake record: 3 pounds, 9 ounces
“Gorilla” Bluegill begin to bite about 10 days after the winter ice goes out. Pieces of worm under a bobber are the standard. The Bluegill peak around Memorial Day and then they go deep for the summer, when most anglers seek a different quarry.
Lake record: unknown
Jumbo “Jack” Perch are caught both in the fall and winter. Small minnows on outside weed lines are the usual method for filling one’s creel.
Lake record: 3 pounds, 8 ounces
The largest of all the fish residing in Saratoga Lake but probably the least sought. These giants are a lot of fun to catch on light tackle from spring to fall. Worms, breadballs and manufactured baits fished on the bottom can all procure Carp ranging from 10 to 50 pounds.
Lake record: unknown
Aquatic Plant Species List for Saratoga Lake
Scientific Name (Common Name)
- Ceratophyllum demersum (Coontail)
- Chara/Nitella (Muskgrass, Chara)
- Elodea canadensis (Elodea)
- Lemna minor (Duckweed)
- Lemna trisulca (Duckweed)
- Megalodonta beckii (Water marigold)
- Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil)
- Najas flexilis (Bushy pondweed)
- Najas minor (Minor naiad)
- Najas guadalupensis (Southern naiad)
Scientific Name (Common Name)
- Nuphar variegata (Yellow pondlily)
- Nymphaea odorata (White pondlily)
- Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed)
- Potamogeton amplifolius (Largeleaf pondweed)
- Potamogeton crispus (Curlyleaf pondweed)
- Potamogeton gramineus (Variable-leaf pondweed)
- Potamogeton illinoensis (Illinois pondweed)
- Potamogeton perfoliatus (Clasping-leaved pondweed)
- Potamogeton praelongus (White-stem pondweed)
- Potamogeton pusillus (Small pondweed)
Scientific Name (Common Name)
- Potamogeton richardsonii (Richardsons’ pondweed)
- Potamogeton robbinsii (Robbins’ pondweed)
- Potamogeton vaseyi (Vasey’s pondweed)
- Potamogeton zosteriformis (Flat-stem pondweed)
- Sparganium (Burreed)
- Stuckenia pectinata (Sago pondweed)
- Trapa natans (Waterchestnut)
- Typha (Cattail)
- Vallisneria americana (Wild celery)
- Zosterella dubia (Water stargrass)