Just about everyone knows about Lake George. It is one of the state's more popular tourism and vacation areas, but I had often envisioned it as often being a summer destination primarily for downstate residents of the lower Hudson Valley. But I discovered last week that it's far more than that, especially in the spring and fall months.
Have you ever heard of a smaller sister lake to the south of George named Glen Lake? Neither had I. Last week this 320-acre dynamo played host to a contingent of media members from the New York State Outdoor Writers Association, Inc. (NYSOWA) during the group's annual Spring Safari. Glen Lake is perhaps the finest small lake for pure fishing fun that so few people, aside from the locals there, know about. Our base of operations and host site was the Glenmoore Lodge, a complex of large log cabins and a main lodge that sits tight against the eastern shore and allows a spectacular view of the entire lake and backdrop of mountains from its large deck.
This small gem of a fishery in the Town of Queensbury in Warren County, located about halfway between Glens Falls and Lake Geroge off NYS Rte. 9, is usually bypassed by visitors who are en route to Lake George or Lake Champlain. With a mean depth of less than 20 feet and its extensive shoreline weed and other shallow structure, it's about as perfect an ecosystem for the more popular warm water species as you'll ever encounter. Sunfish, crappie and bass proliferate in this habitat, and there are also chain pickerel and yellow perch. A pair of osprey have an active nest on the east end of the lake, offering wildlife viewers and photographers a wonderful opportunity.
The NYSOWA members had a circus catching the very abundant pre-spawn bluegills and crappie that were holding in the shallows near shore. Using tiny jigs suspended about two feet beneath small bobbers, we caught nearly 600 fish in just two days, with the bluegills running very large, up to three-quarters of a pound, and the crappie about the same or a bit larger. Panfish that size really make for a great fight on ultralight spinning gear. We kept perhaps a third of the total number we caught and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh fillets. The DEC annually stocks rainbow trout in the lake and trout of up to four pounds have been taken, but the main attraction is the panfish species and bass.
Several of us also fished Lake George, but a cold front caused the normally reliable lake trout and salmon fishing there to slow considerably, although we managed to land three lakers and several bass and pickerel while fishing with Capt. Justin Mahoney aboard his "Highliner" 28-footer. That's why they call it fishing, not catching. A few members also successfully sampled the high country trout ponds located nearby, and several went for the turkey hunting opportunities that are available a short distance away. As is often the case, gobblers were seen and heard, but none were enticed within range despite the variety of Quaker Boy calls used. That's why they call it hunting, not shooting.
Of course any time you're in that region, fine dining and recreational opportunities abound. Friday afternoon the members were treated to hor'dovours at the Docksider Restaurant on Glen Lake and a chance to try out some of the great ultra lightweight boats, canoes and kayaks made by Hornbeck Boats in nearby Olmsteadville that were brought to Glen Lake for our enjoyment. Friday evening offered up a belt-stretching chicken barbecue put on by Tony McCutcheon, chairman of the fast-growing New York Whitetail Classic program.
On Saturday evening we boarded the huge Lac du St. Sacramenta dining and tour ship for dinner and a scenic sunset tour around Lake George. After the dinner cruise, the Adirondack-Catskill Chapter of Safari Club International held a cocktail and snack party back at the Glenmoore, hosted by Norwich resident and NYSOWA,/SCI member, George Franke. As I said, it seems you're never at a loss for things to do in that region.
During the boat tour, fellow outdoor writer and longtime West Fort Ann resident Dan Ladd, who also organized and chaired the event, took the opportunity to herd us to the ship's observation deck, from which he was able to point out many of the great deer hunting areas in the surrounding mountains where he and his friends have regularly taken deer. It was obvious from Dan's excitement that he wanted to share his love of and pride in his home area that offers so many outdoor adventures and produces so many wonderful memories for him.
Perhaps the best part of this discovery trip, at least for me, was the area has something for everyone's interest. The main Lake George area offers wonderful family vacationing, dining and shopping opportunities, while the surrounding areas, such as Glen Lake and the smaller ponds and lakes are perfect for those seeking some solitude and fine fishing. There are many state parks for camping, and in the fall the area offers big woods hunting for big game.
Glen Lake is easy to reach and has a boat launch area for both trailered and car-top crafts. Take Exit 20 off I-87, turn right onto NYS Route 9, go 4/10 of a mile and then left onto Glen Lake Road. The Glenmoore Lodge and boat launch is about 1.5 miles after turning off Route 9.
Cyber contact and information about the various places and activities are as follows. Warren County Chamber of Commerce www.visitlakegeorge.com; Glenmoore Lodge www.glenmoorelodge.com; Highliner Charters www.highlinerfishing.com; Hornbeck Boats www.hornbeckboats.com; Downsider Restaurant www.glenlakedownsider.com; New York Whitetail Classic www.nywhitetailclassic.com; Safari Club www.adirondackcatskillsci.org; Quaker Boy Calls www.quakerboy.com; Adirondack Bass Club www.adirondackbassclub.com; Lake George Steamboat Company www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com.