Guided Open Water Fishing Trips

What We Offer

3 - 12 Hour Guided Open Water & Ice Fishing Charter Tours across the Adirondacks.

Great Sacandaga Lake, Saratoga Lake, Saranac Lake, Long Lake, Lake Harris, Housatonic River & More!

Northern Pike, Smallmouth/Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Perch, Bluegill

PRICING

3-Hour: $300*

4-Hour: $400*

6-Hour: $450*

8-Hour: $600*

12-Hour: $800*

Pricing includes up to 2 anglers.
$50 per additional angler
Maximum of 4 anglers per trip (no maximum for ice-fishing trips)

Payment & Fees
Card processing and platform transaction fees apply to all bookings
If this is a concern, please contact Captain Aaron for alternative payment options

Additional Notes
A second boat option is available upon request

Travel Surcharge (Open Water Season Only)
A $120 travel surcharge applies for any lake other than Great Sacandaga Lake or the Housatonic River

Where To Fish

  • Home United States Record Northern Pike, Great Sacandaga Lake is a hidden gem in the lower Adirondacks of New York State.

    Though relatively low in population, the Northern Pike grow huge and we offer specific trophy Pike trips just for these monsters.

    We also fish here for high numbers of Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Perch, giant Crappie and even the allusive channel catfish.

    We meet at two main locations on the lake depending on time of year and fish activity.

    Reets Bayside Marina;

    275 Lakeside Dr, Mayfield, NY 12117.

    Sport Island Pub:

    108 Riverside Dr Northville, NY 12134

  • Saratoga Lake provides the best fishing that is within a 30 minute drive of New York’s Capital, Albany. It is loaded with good sized Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Panfish and the occassional Walleye & Northern Pike.

  • A true Adirondack wilderness experience, Lower & Middle Saranac Lake provides amazing Northern Pike fishing. While not always a big Pike, a 20 Pike catch day is not out of the question. We can take breaks from the pike and catch Yellow Perch, Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass. This is one of the most spectacular lakes to fish in the state becuase of the breathetaking views and amazing fishing. Its a personal favorite of Captain Aarons.

    Official meeting location is

    4468 State Rte 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Ample parking and bathroom facilities are available on site.

    Please Note a $120 travel surcharge is applied for any lake besides Great Sacandaga Lake. Therefor please add $120 to any 4, 6, 8 or 12 hour trip to Lower & Middle Saranac Lake.

  • 88 Dock Rd.

  • We offer Pike trips in the month of April on the Housatonic River in Lenox Massachusetts. This early season fishing trip offers very active Northern Pike as this river is bursting with them. We often catch up to 10 pike on these trips and some are often quite big! This backwater adventure is limited to 2 persons as our river boat is all that will fit here.

    Decker Boat Ramp

    298 New Lenox Rd, Lenox, MA 01240

What To Bring

  • All tackle including, rods, reels, lures, & life jackets are included. Feel free however to bring your favorite rod or lucky lure!

  • A pair of polarized sunglasses and a hat are highly recommended.

  • Plenty of fluids to stay hydrated throughout the day.

  • Lunch, as we will NOT be providing food.

  • Rain Suit if rain is remotely forecasted.

  • A valid NYS Fishing License.

What does a Day of Fishing Include?

What to Expect

Two men on a boat holding a large fish, with one giving a thumbs-up and both wearing sunglasses and hats, in a river or lake setting.
  • Did you know Great Sacandaga Lake holds the former world record and now UNITED STATES RECORD Northern Pike!? We believe the next record will come from the lake in the next 10 years!

    Great Sacandaga Lake is considered a trophy Pike lake and not a high numbers Pike lake. Unlike lakes further north in the Adirondacks, we rarely catch more than 10 pike in a day, instead only catch 2-4 pike per trip however many times they are in the 35”-45” range. If you’re looking to catch your first Pike, this may not be the lake for you. If you’re looking to catch a giant, trophy Pike, Great Sacandaga Lake is absolutely the lake for you. If you’re looking to have more pike action and less concerned about size, we recommend selecting Saranac Lake or Long Lake on our booking page.

    Casting Trips (Mid-High Experience Level): Whilethe Pike in Great Sacandaga Lake are of immense size they are of overall low population, and casting for them requires strength, determination, and a serious learning curve. While Captain Aaron Gaza is willing to teach any range of skill and age, those aboard must be prepared to cast heavy lures hundreds and thousands of times with big rods and reels provided by Aaron’s Guide Service. The mentality on these trips is simple; Its a trophy hunt not a day of catching lots of fish. We cast 99% of the time and rarely if ever troll. Hours can go by without sight of a Trophy Northern Pike. It’s all about patience for when the water erupts and a fish of a lifetime is caught. There is no greater thrill in fishing than watching a huge pike follow in on a baitt and strike it boat-side. This is Captain Aarons’ favorite way to target these trophy pike and hundreds of clients come back year after year to experience the thrill of casting for these beasts.

    We only offer EXCLUSIVE Trophy Northern Pike trips from May 1st into mid-June and again from mid-September to mid-November. This is due to the Northern Pike shifting below the thermocline in the summer months. Drawing them up rapidly into the warm surface temperatures will increase mortality rates dramatically.

    Pike Season is closed from March 14th until May 1st in NY to allow for the big females to spawn (Lay eggs). Once the spawn ends, these starved trophy pike go on feeding binges on virtually anything that swims prone. This results in exciting and heart-pounding action on Aarons Guide Service. These feeding binges only happen in select locations on the lake and Captain Aaron has spent many years discovering these locations and now shares those spots with clients who book with Aaron’s Guide Service.

    Chasing Trophy Pike in the fall is an exciting experience. The biggest Northerns head back up into the cooling, shallow waters and feed heavily before the winter comes. Once again, only select locations on the lake produce these giants and Captain Aaron has devoted his time to finding the best Fall Pike locations.

    We only offer EXCLUSIVE Trophy Northern Pike trips from May 1st into mid-June and again from mid-September to mid-November. This is due to the Northern Pike shifting below the thermocline in the summer months. Drawing them up rapidly into the warm surface temperatures will increase mortality rates dramatically.

    Pike Season is closed from March 14th until May 1st in NY to allow for the big females to spawn (Lay eggs). Once the spawn ends, these starved trophy pike go on feeding binges on virtually anything that swims prone. This results in exciting and heart-pounding action on Aarons Guide Service. These feeding binges only happen in select locations on the lake and Captain Aaron has spent many years discovering these locations and now shares those spots with clients who book with Aaron’s Guide Service.

    Chasing Trophy Pike in the fall is an exciting experience. The biggest Northerns head back up into the cooling, shallow waters and feed heavily before the winter comes. Once again, only select locations on the lake produce these giants and Captain Aaron has devoted his time to finding the best Fall Pike locations.

  • Nestled in the central Adirondacks, Long Lake is a fisherman’s paradise! With high numbers of both small and large Northern Pike, this mountainous oasis is a perfect fit for the new or experienced angler. Whether you are looking to go all out and catch only Pike, or catch Pike and take breaks catching BIG smallmouth bass, Long Lake will not disappoint!

  • If you’re looking to catch higher numbers of Northern Pike and less interested in catching a trophy all while being immersed in a remote Adirondack Wilderness experience, this is the lake for you! The Saranac Lake chain is a true fish haven. With little to no houses on the lake, your dream of catching unlimited numbers of Pike, Bass and Perch theres no greater place on earth than Saranac Lake, NY to go fishing!

  • Looking to catch a Northern Pike any time of the year? Whether its the heat of the summer, the chill of the spring or the dead of winter this Pike paradise never seems to turn off. Because Pike season is closed in New York in Late March and April, we offer guided trips on the Housatonic river during this time as well as during the heat of the summer and the late fall. We have over 10 years of experience guiding here. We offer these trip only in our small 14’ princecraft boat limiting the trips to 2 angler + Captain. This unique Pike fishery allows us to fish long stretches of the river. 10+ pike days are not uncommon with some trophies often mixed in. These fish lay in very shallow water making for an exciting river adventure. It isn’t uncommon to see Black Bears, Bald Eagles, Loons and sometimes never see a person all while being immersed in the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains.

Northern Pike Trips (Spring & Fall)

Collage of six people displaying various freshwater fish they caught on fishing trips, on lakes and boats.
  • Rain, shine, cold or warm the bass, walleye, and panfish are always abundant on Aaron’s Guide Service. 20, 30, 40 & 50 fish days are certainly not uncommon (We even had a 92 fish day in 2025) as Aarons Guide Service rewrites the stereotype that “fishing is boring”. No matter the age, or skill, a variety of techniques and ways to catch these energetic creatures will be taught.

    The Walleye, Bass & Panfish (Perch, Bluegill, Rock Bass) can be caught year-round and there really isn’t a “slow” time for them. Walleye are deemed the most delectable freshwater meal by many and assuming they are caught during the open season (After May 1st), a limit of 2 per person can be kept!

    Whether it’s on the rocks, in the weeds, or in the open water, Captain Aaron has discovered all the best spots that Great Sacandaga Lake has to offer and shares them all with those who book with Aaron’s Guide Service.

  • Saratoga Lake provides the best fishing that is within a 30 minute drive of New York’s Capital, Albany. It is loaded with good sized Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Panfish and the occasional Walleye & Northern Pike.

  • Nestled in the central Adirondacks, Long Lake is a fisherman’s paradise! With high numbers of both small and large Northern Pike, this mountainous oasis is a perfect fit for the new or experienced angler. Whether you are looking to go all out and catch only Pike, or catch Pike and take breaks catching BIG smallmouth bass, Long Lake will not disappoint!

  • Ever see the pictures of stringers full of dozens of fish and desire that kind of action yourself? The Saranac Lake chain has large Bass, Healthy populations of Northern Pike and thousands and thousands of Perch! There’s never a dull moment on these waters all while being immersed deep in the Adirondack Wilderness.

Multi-Species Trips (Spring, Summer & Fall)

Watch Episodes Filmed on Aaron’s Guide Service

In the spring of 2023 & 2024, we had the pleasure of having Captain Aaron’s brother Sam from SG Angling aboard along with his film equipment. He filmed exciting 6 & 8-Hour Northern Pike trips capturing some of the heart-pounding moments on Aaron’s Guide Service. In some of the film, Guide Aaron was referred to as “Gabe” which is Aaron’s middle name and nickname within the family. While it is not custom for Aaron to fish, he got the chance to with his family.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The best time to catch a Trophy Northern Pike is the spring and fall time. The post-spawn bite from May 1st (opening day of Pike season) until Mid-June and again from Mid-September until Mid-November is when some of our biggest Pike get caught. We do not offer trophy Pike trips on Sacandaga during the Summer months of Late June to End of August as water temperatures become to warm to ethically catch them.

  • Except for the first two weeks in May, there is no specific time when Pike fishing is better during the day. Due to the water temperatures being cold in early May we find that Pike feeding is typically more active in the afternoon as sunlight allow to heat up the shallows. All other times of year however, Pike feeding is 100% dependent on weather and barometric pressure changes. Throughout the year, we have caught big Pike in the early morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening.

  • Absolutely! Specifically for younger children, elderly folk and those just looking for a relaxing day on the water, our multi-species for walleye, bass, perch and rock bass are a perfect fit. We typically vertically jig with live bait or cast with small artificial lures making for an exciting, easy day on the water.

  • Absolutely Not! While baitcasting rods and reels give you significant advantage with casting distance, accuracy, stress off wrists etc. we always have plenty of spinning rods and reels ready for use.

  • This is covered in the Guided Trips Section of the Website but below is a summary for the open water.

    All tackle including, rods, reels, lures, & life jackets are included. Feel free however to bring your favorite rod or lucky lure!

    A pair of polarized sunglasses and a hat are highly recommended

    Rain Suit if rain is remotely forecasted.

    A valid NYS Fishing License.

    Payment can be made in the form of Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, CashApp, Cash or Check

  • While you are more than welcome to bring you own gear, it is essential to have the right set ups, line weight and leader selection. See the next questions for all recommended tackle.

  • For line, we prefer 65lb test or greater braided line. KastKing Superpower 60lb test is excellent, affordable line. Use code CHAKBA10 for 10% off all Kastking orders.

    We prefer a 100lb test Fluorocarbon pre-made leader. If you go into the AGS shop we make our own custom leaders.

    We recommend using a medium heavy or heavy action rod (greater than 7ft long). A 300 size baitcasting reel or 3000 or 4000 sized spinning reel is best. For lures we recommend browsing our lures on the AGS Shop section.

  • Our new booking software allows you to pay your deposits and final payment right online with a credit or debit card. While we do accept cash or check, paying your invoice online is preferred.

  • We require a $200 deposit for Pike trips and $100 for all other trips. Once you book the trip to lock the date in. Final Payment is due at completion of trip.

  • While the deposit is 50% refundable, we are happy to transfer it in full to another day if cancellation is needed. Exceptions to the 50% refundable policy are if the captain deems the weather conditions unsafe (Lightning greater than 50% chance forecasted), High Winds (30+ MPH).

  • While a tip is never required, it is always appreciated, specifically when the captain goes overtime to get a big fish and when a big fish is caught. Tips range from $50-200 or 15%-20% of the trip. Tips are used toward gas, tackle, insurances, maintenance on boat, trailer and truck, website and marina fees to name a few expenses.

  • Our guide service policy is that due to the low populations of Northern Pike on Great Sacandaga Lake, they must be released (only exception is if the fish somehow dies on us (very rare)). All other fish, we allow the keeping of 3 fish per person and they can be filleted for an additional $25.

  • We do not provide lunch, so please pack food and drinks accordingly. There are several restaurants on the lake that we are happy to stop at \ for dine in or take out.

  • Absolutely! We work closely with other guides in area and can offer a multi-boat trip typically accommodating 6-8 people total

  • Yes, if you are 16 years of age or older, you’re required to purchase a NYS fishing license. Even if you aren’t fishing, and maybe helping your kids and you touch the rod, you’re required a fishing license. If you’re on the ice and not fishing you need a license regardless.

  • Yes, Aarons Guide Service LLC is a fully insured guide service. Captain Aaron is a fully licensed NYS Guide (#6164). The boat is a certified Public Vessel inspected by DEC every year. Captain Aaron is certified in First Aid and CPR with First Aid available on board and on the ice.