Sodus Bay is a Bay located in Wayne County, NY. Starting in the Sodus Bay has a total surface area of 5.0 miles. The Sodus Bay has an elevation of 243 feet. Find maps, fishing guides and recreation info at Guidesly.

About Sodus Bay, NY

Sodus Bay is an embayment located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. It is situated in Wayne County, New York, wherein most of the area it covers is in the town of Huron. However, its western area is in the town of Sodus hence the name. Sodus and its nearby towns are within a 46-square mile watershed that drains to Sodus Bay. Sodus bay is separated from Lake Ontario by a 7,500-foot barrier beach. It is known to be 4.4 miles in length and 2.4 miles wide. Its average depth is 18 feet, with its deepest point being 48 feet deep. 

Sodus Bay is also often called “Great Sodus Bay” for people to easily differentiate it from “Little Sodus Bay,” which is a different embayment located in the town of Sterling. Anglers prefer this location because of the peaceful vibe and scenic views around the bay. Locals are also kind and welcoming, which brings every trip to Sodus Bay a different level of experience to local and visiting anglers.

All About Fishing in Sodus Bay, NY

Sodus Bay is a catch basin of a diverse number of fish species coming from its many tributaries and Lake Ontario. Some parts of it are shallow and weedy, while some are deep and rocky. Overall, a vast portion of Sodus Bay is rich in aquatic plants that could be both floating or submerged. This makes it easy for fish to feed on these plants if they aren’t feeding on smaller fish. Sodus Bay gained popularity among anglers seeking brown trout, coho salmon, steelhead trout, crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. 

Baitcasting and spinning are common techniques used by anglers, mainly targeting shallow areas. These techniques are usually best because fish in shallow areas are smaller and less aggressive such as perch or trout. However, for those looking for Sodus Bay’s famous salmon and steelhead species, anglers who wish to attempt must know how to heavy tackle. Sturdy equipment that will ensure tight lines is necessary, especially when fishing in the deeper waters. Salmon mostly swim in large schools and can be aggressive and massive in size. Anglers must bring rigs that would be able to take the resistance. Ice fishing is also a popular technique among anglers looking to catch fish swept in from Lake Ontario during the colder months.

Fishing Seasonality

The diversity and abundance of fish species in Sodus Bay allow anglers to enjoy year-round fishing. By April or May, anglers begin their search for salmon and trout. These species typically swim near any opening connected to the lake where water is warm. Come May to June, water temperatures in Sodus Bay become a lot warmer. This period is also peak for steelhead fishing. Around June to July, water becomes warmer and warmer during early summer, causing fish to move to deeper and cooler waters. The number of large schools of king salmon is also starting to rise. August to September is the peak of king salmon fishing in Sodus Bay. Although the water temperature is getting warmer and salmon species are moving to deeper waters, they still swim to shallow waters to spawn. Also, the abundance of salmon makes it easier for anglers to find a good spot even in the deeper parts of the bay.

As for the rest of the year - periods between October and March - fishing is still a great activity in Sodus Bay. During this period, local anglers like to fish trout and salmon in Sodus Bay’s many tributaries. Also, during this time, fish from Lake Ontario are swept in towards the bay. And since colder months are within this period, these fish species tend to get trapped beneath thick ice during the winter. This is the reason why Sodus Bay is also a popular ice fishing destination for locals and tourists. Perch, largemouth bass, and pike are common catches during the winter. If ice fishing is too much of a hassle, anglers could get them in open water too. 

Fishing Seasonality

The diversity and abundance of fish species in Sodus Bay allow anglers to enjoy year-round fishing. By April or May, anglers begin their search for salmon and trout. These species typically swim near any opening connected to the lake where water is warm. Come May to June, water temperatures in Sodus Bay become a lot warmer. This period is also peak for steelhead fishing. Around June to July, water becomes warmer and warmer during early summer, causing fish to move to deeper and cooler waters. The number of large schools of king salmon is also starting to rise. August to September is the peak of king salmon fishing in Sodus Bay. Although the water temperature is getting warmer and salmon species are moving to deeper waters, they still swim to shallow waters to spawn. Also, the abundance of salmon makes it easier for anglers to find a good spot even in the deeper parts of the bay.

As for the rest of the year - periods between October and March - fishing is still a great activity in Sodus Bay. During this period, local anglers like to fish trout and salmon in Sodus Bay’s many tributaries. Also, during this time, fish from Lake Ontario are swept in towards the bay. And since colder months are within this period, these fish species tend to get trapped beneath thick ice during the winter. This is the reason why Sodus Bay is also a popular ice fishing destination for locals and tourists. Perch, largemouth bass, and pike are common catches during the winter. If ice fishing is too much of a hassle, anglers could get them in open water too. 

All About Fishing in Sodus Bay, NY

Sodus Bay is a catch basin of a diverse number of fish species coming from its many tributaries and Lake Ontario. Some parts of it are shallow and weedy, while some are deep and rocky. Overall, a vast portion of Sodus Bay is rich in aquatic plants that could be both floating or submerged. This makes it easy for fish to feed on these plants if they aren’t feeding on smaller fish. Sodus Bay gained popularity among anglers seeking brown trout, coho salmon, steelhead trout, crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. 

Baitcasting and spinning are common techniques used by anglers, mainly targeting shallow areas. These techniques are usually best because fish in shallow areas are smaller and less aggressive such as perch or trout. However, for those looking for Sodus Bay’s famous salmon and steelhead species, anglers who wish to attempt must know how to heavy tackle. Sturdy equipment that will ensure tight lines is necessary, especially when fishing in the deeper waters. Salmon mostly swim in large schools and can be aggressive and massive in size. Anglers must bring rigs that would be able to take the resistance. Ice fishing is also a popular technique among anglers looking to catch fish swept in from Lake Ontario during the colder months.