Guided Open Water Fishing Trips

What We Offer

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

📍 Great Sacandaga Lake, Saranac Lake, Housatonic River & More!

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

PRICING

3-Hour: $350*

4-Hour: $450*

6-Hour: $550*

8-Hour: $700*

12-Hour: $1000*

Pricing includes up to 2 anglers.
$50 per additional angler
Maximum of 5 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. Saranac Lake Trips are priced higher to account for travel costs

Where To Fish

  • Great Sacandaga Lake Fishing Charters

    Home to the U.S. Record Northern Pike, Great Sacandaga Lake is a hidden gem in the lower Adirondacks of New York, surrounded by beautiful mountain views.

    We offer two very different fishing experiences on Great Sacandaga Lake:

    🎣 Trophy Northern Pike Trips

    Best for experienced anglers looking for a fish of a lifetime.

    • Specifically focused on trophy Northern Pike

    • Best months: May, June, September, October & November

    • Sacandaga has a low-density but trophy-quality pike population

    • Expect approximately 0–3 Pike per trip

    • This is a quality-over-quantity fishing experience

    • We can take occasional “bass breaks” to add some action between Pike opportunities

    • Recommended for anglers who understand that targeting trophy fish requires patience

    Want more Pike action and higher numbers? Check out our Saranac Lake Chain of Lakes Pike Trips below.

    🐟 Multi-Species Fishing Trips

    Best for families, casual anglers, kids, and anyone who wants lots of action.

    • Focused on catching numbers of fish

    • Target Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Sunfish & Channel Catfish

    • Much more consistent action than our Trophy Pike Trips

    • Great for beginners and experienced anglers alike

    • Perfect if you're more interested in catching lots of fish than hunting one trophy

    Which Trip Should I Choose?

    Want to chase a giant Northern Pike? → Trophy Pike Trip

    Want lots of bites and a variety of fish? → Multi-Species Trip

    Meeting Locations

    Our meeting location depends on the time of year and current fish activity.

    Miller's Grandview Marina
    342 Lakeside Dr, Mayfield, NY 12117

    Sport Island Pub
    108 Riverside Dr, Northville, NY 12134

  • A premium, Adirondack wilderness experience, Lower & Middle Saranac Lake provides exciting, action packed Northern Pike fishing. Unlike Sacandaga, Saranac Lake has high numbers of Pike making it perfect for a first time Pike fisherman or anyone interested in catching lots of Pike. 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 because of the breathtaking 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.

  • 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 5-10 pike on these trips and some are often quite big! This backwater adventure is limited to 3 anglers.

    512 Housatonic St. 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.

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What does a Day of Fishing Include?

  • A Licensed Guide to Help All Day

    Captain Aaron Gaza

    Whether it’s directing you where to cast, driving the boat and trolling motor, netting your fish, fileting your fish or even helping you into the boat, your guide will do all the “leg-work” for you to enjoy a relaxing day catching fish.

  • A Fully Equipped Fishing Boat

    The 22ft Excel Baypro 220

    Comfortably fitting 5 fishermen/women plus the captain, the Excel Baypro is the ultimate fishing machine. Equipped with a 150hp Suzuki Outboard motor with a 112lb thrust trolling motor along with Garmin Livescope there is nothing that this boat lacks. We also run a 17ft Bass Tracker for our Housatonic River Trips which can fit 3 guests + Captain

  • High End Rods & Reels

    Berkley, Abu Garcia, KastKing & More

    Fully rigged baitcasting and spinning reels are ready to go the second you step onto the boat. Whether you want to fish for Pike, Bass, Walleye or Panfish we have every size rod and reel for the desired species you’d like to target.

  • Lures, Live Bait, Tackle Etc

    Spinnerbaits, Jerkbaits, Live Bait, Line & More

    Whether we are casting big spinnerbaits, glidebaits, or rubberbaits for Pike, or live bait for Walleye & Perch or Jerkbaits for Bass, we supply all the lures and tackle that you will need to catch big fish! We also will have nets of sizes to land the fish!

  • Safety Equipment, First Aid, Life Jackets

    Life Jackets, First Aid Kits, Throwable Devices

    We take safety very seriously on our boat. Whether its having life jackets readily accessible, carrying a fully stocked first aid kit or even having ropes, throwable devices in case of an emergency we will make sure you have a safe day on the water.

  • Video Footage of your Catch!

    We roll cameras (Insta360, RayBand Meta’s & Iphone) all day long while we fish so you can have a lifetime memory caught on film!

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.

  • Great Sacandaga Trophy Pike Trips

    This is a trophy hunt, not a numbers trip.

    Great Sacandaga Lake is home to the U. S. Record Northern Pike and offers one of the best chances to target a true fish of a lifetime.

    But it is important to understand what kind of trip this is.

    Great Sacandaga is a trophy pike lake, not a high-action pike lake. Pike populations here are lower than many Adirondack lakes, but the fish that do live here can be massive. On most trophy pike trips, catching 2–4 pike in a day is a successful trip, and many of those fish can be in the 35”–45” range.

    If your goal is to catch lots of pike or catch your first pike, Great Sacandaga may not be the best option. For more action, we recommend booking Saranac Lake or Long Lake instead.

    If your goal is to swing for a giant, Great Sacandaga is exactly where you want to be.

    What to Expect

    These trips require persistence, effort, and the right mindset. We are targeting some of the biggest freshwater predators in New York, and that does not come easy.

    Most trophy pike trips are casting trips. You should be prepared to cast large lures with heavy rods and reels throughout the day. There may be long stretches without seeing a fish, but that is part of trophy pike fishing.

    The reward is the moment a giant pike follows your bait, erupts at the boat, or crushes a lure right in front of you. There are few things in freshwater fishing more exciting than watching a massive Northern Pike strike boatside.

    This is not a “catch a bunch of fish” trip.

    This is a fish of a lifetime trip.

    Best Seasons for Trophy Pike

    We only offer exclusive Trophy Northern Pike trips on Great Sacandaga during the best seasonal windows:

    Spring: May 1st through mid-June
    Fall: Mid-September through mid-November
    Winter: Ice fishing season, when safe ice allows

    These windows give us the best opportunity to target big pike when they are feeding in shallower, more accessible areas.

    During the summer, many large pike move deeper below the thermocline. Pulling these fish quickly into warm surface water can greatly increase stress and mortality, so we do not offer exclusive summer trophy pike trips on Great Sacandaga.

    Is This Trip Right for You?

    Book Great Sacandaga Trophy Pike if you want:

    • A real chance at a giant Northern Pike

    • A patient, trophy-focused fishing experience

    • To target fish in the 35”–45” class

    • A trip built around quality over quantity

    Choose Saranac Lake or Long Lake if you want:

    • More pike action

    • A better chance at higher numbers

    • A good first-time pike fishing experience

    • A more relaxed catching-focused trip

    Great Sacandaga trophy pike fishing is challenging, but that is what makes it special. Every cast could be the one that produces the biggest pike of your life.

  • 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.

  • 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)

Frequently Asked Questions!

  • 🏆 Great Sacandaga – Trophy Pike

    • Lower Pike population, but much higher trophy potential

    • Typically 0–3 Pike per trip

    • Best for serious anglers willing to sacrifice numbers for a shot at a giant

    🎣 Saranac Lakes – Pike

    • High Pike population with much more consistent action

    • More bites and more fish throughout the day

    • Still a chance at a big Pike!

    Simply put: Choose Sacandaga for size or Saranac for numbers.

  • 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. Absolute peak prime-time dates are from May 25th-June 20th and September 25th-November 7th. We do not offer trophy Pike trips on Sacandaga during the Summer months of July & 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. 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. Our baitcasting reels are backlash free however!

  • 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. We are not liable if one of your rods you brought is lost or broken. 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 or using Venmo is preferred.

  • We require a $200 deposit once you book the trip to lock the date in. Final Payment is due at completion of trip.

  • While the deposit is 50% refundable up to 7 days prior to the trip, 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). Booking and credit card fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

  • 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. Tips do not have to be in cash and are easily processed through venmo or card.

  • 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)). We allow the keeping of 3 fish per person and they can be filleted for an additional $25. Sport Island Pub in Northville will be happy to cook your food when they are open!

  • 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. Aaron is a fully licensed NYS Guide (#6164). The boat is a certified Public Vessel inspected by DEC every year. Aaron is certified in First Aid and CPR with First Aid available on board and on the ice.