What Kind of Boat Should You Take Fishing on Upper Saranac Lake?

Picking the right boat sets the tone for a great day of fishing on Upper Saranac Lake. With more than 37 miles of shoreline, deep summer trout water, and the kind of bass and pike fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season, there's a lot to look forward to once you're on the water. The right boat comes down to who's coming along, what you're hoping to catch, and whether you'll be tacking on any additional activities like camping or swimming.

Upper Saranac Marina is right next door to the Fish Creek and Rollins Pond Campgrounds, so we're well versed in helping anglers get out on the water. We offer four options built for or well-suited to fishing, and can help you pick the perfect one for any trip out onto the Upper Saranac Lake waterways. Here's how each one fits into a day on the water.

Your Fishing Boat Options

16' Lund Fishing Boat

Our Lund is a dependable, all-around choice for a day of fishing. It seats 5 to 6 people, runs a 20HP Honda outboard, and comes with a built-in fish finder. At $240 a day, it's a solid, simple option for casting along the shoreline.

18' Jon Boat (30HP)

This boat matches the Lund's 5-to-6-person capacity but more than doubles the cargo room, at 1,500 pounds. That extra capacity comes in handy if you're hauling coolers and gear for a camping trip along with your fishing. Our 30HP Jon Boat also comes standard with a fish finder and rents for $260 a day.

18' Jon Boat (50HP)

Built for serious anglers, this boat is rigged with an electric trolling motor, rod holders, dedicated fishing seats, and a live well. It seats 2 to 3 people and is best suited to experienced boaters — we ask that renters already hold a current boating license for this one, even though New York doesn't currently require a boating safety certificate for our other rentals. At $335 a day, the 50HP Jon Boat is the boat to book if you're planning to work deep water seriously.

Old Town Canoe

For a quieter, lower-cost option, our Old Town Canoes hold 2 people (671 lbs including gear) and come with paddles and life jackets included. At $35 a day, it's an easy, affordable way to fish calm, near-shore water for panfish or bass — just don't expect to cover much distance or reach deep water the way you would in a powered boat.

You can see the full lineup, current rates, and availability on our fishing boat rentals page.

Matching the Boat to Your Trip

• Family outing or casual fishing: The Lund or 30HP Jon Boat both handle a group comfortably, with no boating license required.

• Fishing plus camping: The 30HP Jon Boat's 1,500-pound capacity leaves room for gear and a cooler on the way to a Fish Creek or Rollins Pond campsite.

• Serious, experienced anglers: The 50HP Jon Boat's trolling motor and live well are built for anglers who know exactly what they're after and want the gear to help them get there.

• Paddling instead of powering: The Old Town Canoe is a budget-friendly option for calm-water, near-shore fishing, though it won't get you into deep water or cover distance like our motorized boats.

What to Know Before You Book

A few practical details apply across our three powered fishing boats:

• Rental hours: 9am to 5pm, full days only. Boats returned late are billed hourly.

• Deposit: A 10% deposit reserves your boat online, with the rental balance and a refundable security deposit ($100 for the Lund, $150 for either Jon Boat) due at pickup.

• Fuel: Every boat goes out with a full tank; you're only charged for what you use.

• Cash discount: Paying with cash knocks 3% off your total rental fee.

• Operator age: Anyone driving the Lund or either Jon Boat must be at least 26 years old, per New York boater regulations.

What's Biting on Upper Saranac Lake

Along the lake's 37 miles of shoreline, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike are the main draw — all good targets for casting from the Lund or either Jon Boat, and typically most active in the shallower water earlier in the season. As the water warms through summer, lake trout and landlocked salmon move into deeper, cooler water, and that's where the 50HP boat's trolling motor earns its keep. If you're fishing with kids, pumpkinseed and yellow perch are plentiful in calmer water and make for an easy, satisfying afternoon.

Do You Need a Fishing License?

Yes. In New York, anyone 16 or older needs a valid freshwater fishing license to fish Upper Saranac Lake, whether you live here or you're just visiting for the week. Kids under 16 can fish without one.

Current NYSDEC license pricing:

• Annual: $25 for NY residents ages 16–69, $5 for residents 70 and older, $50 for non-residents

• 7-day: $12 for residents, $28 for non-residents

• 1-day: $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents

Licenses are sold online, by phone, or through a local license agent — we don't sell them at the marina, so pick yours up before you arrive. Keep in mind this is different from the boating license needed to operate our 50HP Jon Boat — one covers your right to fish, the other covers driving that particular boat.

Ready to Get on the Water?

Once you know which boat fits your trip, booking is easy. Reserve your boat online to instantly confirm availability for your dates. Whether you're after a relaxed afternoon with the kids or a serious run at lake trout, we'll get you set up with the right boat for the job.