What the Mother Bunch Islands offer anglers

The Mother Bunch Islands sit in the middle basin of Lake George, roughly between Bolton Landing and Hague on the New York side. The cluster includes several small islands and rocky shoals that create shallow-water habitat bass and pike love. The islands themselves are state-owned and off-limits for landing, but the water around them—especially the channels between islands and the drop-offs on the deeper sides—holds fish year-round.

What makes this spot worth the run is the structure. Unlike the open water elsewhere on George, the islands create current breaks, shade, and ambush points. Largemouth and smallmouth bass use the rocky edges, and northern pike patrol the channels. The depth changes fast here, which means you can work shallow flats in spring and early summer, then move to deeper breaks as the water warms.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mother Bunch Islands are state-owned and closed to landing, but the surrounding water is open to fishing from a boat.
  • Fish the channels between islands and the drop-offs on the deeper sides, where bass and pike hold year-round.
  • Spring and early summer favor shallow-water presentations around the rocky edges; summer and fall require deeper breaks and channels.
  • Launch from Bolton Landing or Hague and allow 15 to 25 minutes to reach the islands depending on your starting point.

Seasonal patterns and what to throw

In spring (April through May), the shallower flats around the islands warm first and draw spawning bass. Work the 4- to 8-foot edges with crankbaits, soft plastics, and topwater early in the morning. Smallmouth are more predictable here than largemouth—they stack on the rocky points and respond to tubes and drop-shot rigs.

Summer (June through August) pushes most fish deeper. The channels between islands and the 15- to 25-foot breaks on the north and south sides of the cluster hold both species. Throw swimbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, and Carolina-rigged plastics. Pike are more active in early summer; by mid-July, focus on early morning and late evening when the water is cooler.

Fall (September through October) brings another shallow bite as water cools. Bass move back to the 6- to 12-foot range, and pike become aggressive again. Jerkbaits and suspending plugs work well during the transition. Winter fishing is possible but requires patience—fish hold in the deepest channels, and a jigging spoon or live shiners fished vertically near the 30-foot breaks is your best bet.

How to navigate and stay safe

The Mother Bunch Islands are marked on most GPS units and paper charts of Lake George. The cluster is roughly 2 miles north-northeast of Bolton Landing and about 1.5 miles south of Hague. If you are launching from Bolton, head north and slightly east; from Hague, head south and slightly west. The run is straightforward in good weather, but Lake George can turn rough quickly, so check conditions before you leave the dock.

The islands themselves are small and rocky. Keep your distance—state law prohibits landing on them, and the rocks are sharp and close to the surface in places. Run your GPS or mark waypoints on your first trip so you know where the shallow spots are. The water around the islands is generally 8 to 35 feet deep, but depth changes fast, so use your sounder to read the bottom and find the breaks.

Boat traffic can be heavy on Lake George in summer, especially on weekends. The Mother Bunch area is less crowded than the narrows near Ticonderoga, but stay alert. Anchor on the deeper sides of the islands if you plan to fish one spot for a while, and keep your engine off or running at idle to avoid spooking fish in the shallows.

Launch points and access

Bolton Landing has a public boat launch on the west side of the village, run by the town. The ramp is concrete, well-maintained, and has parking for trailers. There is a small fee. From Bolton, the Mother Bunch Islands are about 15 minutes away at cruising speed, depending on your boat and the water state.

Hague also has a public launch, smaller and quieter than Bolton. It is on the east side of the village, also with a fee and trailer parking. The run to the islands is slightly shorter from Hague—roughly 10 to 15 minutes. If you prefer a less crowded launch, Hague is worth the drive.

Both launches are open year-round, though winter access can be limited by ice. Call ahead if you are planning a winter trip. Neither launch has fuel or supplies, so fill up before you leave home or stop at a marina in Bolton or Hague.

What to expect in terms of fish size and numbers

Largemouth bass in the Mother Bunch area run 12 to 18 inches on average, with occasional fish pushing 20 inches or better. Smallmouth are typically smaller—10 to 15 inches—but more numerous. Pike are the real prize here; 24- to 30-inch fish are common, and 35-plus-inch pike show up regularly in spring and fall.

The islands are not a numbers fishery. You will not catch 30 fish in a day. But the quality of fish is solid, and the structure means you can usually find something willing to bite if you work the right depth and presentation. Slow down and fish deliberately rather than covering water quickly.

Regulations and what you need to know

New York State fishing regulations apply on Lake George. You need a valid New York fishing license, which you can purchase online or at any tackle shop. Bass have a 12-inch minimum size limit and a 5-fish daily limit. Pike have a 24-inch minimum and a 1-fish daily limit. Smallmouth bass follow the same rules as largemouth.

The islands themselves are closed to public landing year-round. Respect that boundary—it protects nesting birds and the islands' ecology. You can fish the water around them from your boat, but do not beach or wade onto the islands.

Tackle and gear recommendations

Bring a medium-power spinning rod and a baitcasting rod. The spinning rod works well for tubes, drop-shot rigs, and lighter plastics in spring and early summer. The baitcaster handles crankbaits, swimbaits, and heavier presentations better, especially in deeper water. A 6.5- to 7-foot rod is ideal for the tight quarters around the islands.

Spool with 10- to 15-pound braided line on the baitcaster and 8- to 12-pound on the spinning rod. Braided line cuts through the water and gives you better feel on the bottom, which matters when you are working deep breaks. A good sounder is essential—you need to see the structure and the fish. Garmin and Lowrance make solid units that work well on Lake George.

Bring a mix of crankbaits (shallow, medium, and deep-diving), soft plastics (tubes, worms, swimbaits), and topwater plugs. A jigging spoon and a few live shiners round out your kit for winter or when fish are deep and inactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I land on the Mother Bunch Islands?

No. The islands are state-owned and closed to public landing year-round. You can fish the water around them from your boat, but landing on the islands is prohibited.

What is the best time of year to fish the Mother Bunch Islands?

Spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) are most productive. Summer is slower but still fishable if you work deeper water and fish early and late in the day. Winter is possible but requires patience and deep-water jigging.

How deep is the water around the islands?

Depth ranges from 8 feet on the shallow flats to 35 feet in the deepest channels. Use your sounder to map the bottom and find the breaks where fish hold.

Do I need a guide to fish the Mother Bunch Islands?

No, but a guide can save you time learning the structure and seasonal patterns. If you have a sounder and basic knowledge of bass and pike behavior, you can fish it on your own.

What size fish can I expect?

Largemouth bass average 12 to 18 inches, smallmouth 10 to 15 inches, and pike 24 to 30 inches. Larger fish are possible but less common. The islands are known for quality over quantity.