NY North Country Bassin' with Bill Lortz

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NY NORTH COUNTRY BASSIN'

captain bill lortz

I have been fishing on Oneida Lake and the 1000 Islands region for over 20 years. I have been tournament bass fishing for the past 16 years on both the local and regional level. I was introduced to guiding by my uncle who ran a successful charter business on Lake Ontario. Through my years of being a first mate on his boat I learned and experienced first hand the value of educating fisherman. Our goal at NY NORTH COUNTRY BASSIN’ is for you to not only catch fish but to learn.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2013 2nd place at Oneida Lake in Bassmaster Weekend Series Divisional Championship
• 2013 38th place BASS Northern Open on Oneida Lake
• 2013 3rd place at Henderson Harbor in Bassmaster Weekend Series
• 2012 5th place at Oneida Lake in Bassmaster Weekend Series Divisional Championship
• 2011 – 1st place at Lake Erie in Bassmaster Weekend Series
• 2011 – 5th place in Angler of the Year in Bassmaster Weekend Series
• 2011 – 20th place finish in BASS Northern Open on Oneida Lake
• Qualified multiple years for Bassmaster Weekend Series Nationals
• Three top 10 finishes in northeast Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League
• 2007 Angler of the Year in ABBA Series
• 2007 FLW Everstart Series Championship qualifier

guide services

BOOK A DAY TO REMEMBER

THE NY NORTH COUNTRY BASSIN’ EXPERIENCE. I will provide all of the life jackets along with rods, reels and lures if needed for a successful day on the water. But you’re more than welcome to bring your own equipment. You need to bring food and drinks for the day and there’s a cooler on board to keep everything cool and fresh. Don’t forget your sunscreen and rain gear if showers are in the forecast. You’ll also need a NYS Fishing License and a Canadian Fishing License (click links to purchase online).

Not only will Captain Bill Lortz help you catch more fish, he can also offer valuable information to help you become an all-around better angler! Captain Bill is also a US Coast Guard licensed captain, certified in First Aid and CPR with commercial insurance to ensure quality and compliance to State and Federal laws.

THE LAKES

NORTHEASTERN BASIN OF LAKE ONTARIO

The northeastern basin of Lake Ontario from Henderson Harbor to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. The water clarity is excellent now due to the zebra mussels when fishing for largemouth bass or smallmouth bass under 15 feet, you can generally see the rock structure. This also offers a unique experience of being able to see the bass while you are fighting them. This is primarily a smallmouth bass fishery, but largemouth bass can be found in the bays off of Lake Ontario. The beauty of this area cannot be described with words it is definitely something you have to experience. This area produces smallmouth bass in good numbers between 2 1/2 to 4 pounds. It also offers trophy size smallmouth bass between 5- 6 pounds.

The thousand Islands region is known as the home of the gamy black bass. It is also known for its bass fishing tournaments. Largemouth bass are found in the shallow bays in around the numerous islands. Smallmouth bass are generally found in the deeper Shoals and humps in the current. Smallmouth bass average 2 to 4 pounds also the chance to catch a trophy 5 to 6 pound smallmouth bass is a realistic possibility.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

The St. Lawrence River is a large international river in the middle latitudes of North America connecting the Great Lakes to the North Atlantic Ocean. Its waters flow in a northeasterly direction from Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, traversing Ontario and Quebec in Canada and New York in the United States. Although largemouth bass are taken on the St. Lawrence, smallmouth bass is the most commonly caught species. Being sight feeders, smallmouth flourish in the system’s clear waters, a byproduct of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. Round gobies, another invasive, can’t be ignored when discussing the areas’ portly smallmouth. Gobies spend their lives darting along bottom and are easy pickings for bronzebacks. Crayfish, yellow perch, alewife, and emerald shiners are just a sampling of other forage contributing to a smallmouth’s diet. Bass habitat abounds throughout the waterway. Smallmouth have their pick of shallow flats, grass beds, pencil reed patches, sunken shipwrecks, flooded roadbeds from another era, bridge pilings, wing dams, rocky points, deep humps, channel swings, and more than 1,000 islands and rock shoals. Good numbers of smallmouth bass between 2 1/2 to 4 pounds can be expected while still offering trophy size smallmouth bass between 5- 6 pounds.

ONEIDA LAKE

Lake Oneida is a picturesque freshwater lake situated in upstate New York. The lake is one of the largest in the region, measuring approximately 22 miles in length and spanning over 79 square miles. Lake Oneida is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, and camping.

The lake is known for its exceptional water quality, which is a result of its unique ecosystem and the efforts of local conservation groups. The surrounding area is also rich in wildlife, with numerous species of birds, fish, and mammals calling the lake home.

Lake Oneida has a rich history and cultural heritage, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 10,000 years. The lake has played a significant role in the development of the local economy, providing a valuable source of food, transportation, and recreation for generations.

Oneida Lake is located 10 miles north of Syracuse in both Oneida and Oswego Counties. In the early 1990s zebra mussels were introduced to the lake since then the water clarity has greatly improved. Oneida aquatic vegetation consists of milfoil, Coontail and curly cabbage. Typically the grass grows is along the shorelines and in the larger bays. Oneida has long been known for its great walleye fishing but over the past 10 years it has become one of the most popular stops for bass tournaments including the Bassmasters and FLW. Oneida Lake always poses the question during a bass tournament – largemouth bass or smallmouth bass – which will win? The main forage for the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in Oneida are yellow perch, gizzard shad and crayfish. Smallmouth bass are very plentiful in numbers ranging from 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 pounds.

WHAT TO BRING

• Hat, rain gear and polarized glasses
• Camera and sunscreen
• Lunch, snacks and beverages (no alcoholic beverages)
• For spring and fall trips we suggest dressing in layers.
• NYS Fishing License and Canadian Fishing License
(click links to purchase online)
NOTE: Clients are encouraged to bring their own gear that they feel comfortable with.
If necessary NY NORTHCOUNTRY BASSIN’ can provide all rods, reels and tackle needed.

LAKE DETAILS

From the St. Lawrence River, Henderson Harbor, Chaumont Bay and Northeastern Basin of Lake Ontario to the bass-filled water of Oneida Lake — recognized in B.A.S.S. Magazine in the Top 100 Best Bass Lakes.

EQUIPMENT DETAILS

We will be fishing out of a tournament-ready 21’ bass boat fully rigged with the latest pro angling electronics. The 2021 Nitro Z21 is powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS to keep us on the fish all day long.

FISH REPORTS

We keep up with the latest reports on the lakes through our local network of captains and tournament anglers. Our experience also keeps us locked in on the hot spots so your trip is one to remember. CLICK HERE for the latest reports.