Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake

Upstate Guide Service is a full-time, licensed, insured, and professional expert guide service that has been providing safe and enjoyable angling trips on Skaneateles Lake since 2003!

As the longest-running and most experienced guide service on Skaneateles Lake, Upstate Guide Service provides successful fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.

As a responsible steward, Upstate Guide Service shows obvious respect for the lakes’ environment and fishery.

Since 2003 Mike Crawford, owner of Upstate Guide Service, has led countless anglers on the pristine waters of Skaneateles Lake.

Upstate Guide Service remains the most experienced guide service on Skaneateles Lake.

Learn how to catch fish with the rod in your hand… Not in a rod holder!
We take pride in introducing beginners to this fascinating lake, as well as providing challenging fishing for experienced anglers.

Spend time learning effective and fun techniques for catching fish with Upstate Guide Service!

Anglers and families enjoying a fishing trip with Upstate Guide Service are brought aboard a brand new 2021 Lund Impact! This state-of-the-art fishing machine is safe, comfortable, and effective.

Upstate Guide Service has been operating safely — with integrity — on Skaneateles Lake for 20 seasons!



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $525
    Enjoy light tackle or fly fishing for aggressive and hard-fighting smallmouth bass, lake trout, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon on Skaneateles Lake! Anglers can cast from the deck of a state-of-the-art Lund pro fishing boat outfitted with the latest in electronics! The Greyghost3 is a stealth, safe, and awesome fishing machine! Early morning summer trips are fun and exciting! All equipment is provided! The full-day trip duration is 6 to 8 hours.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Jigging
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Bass (Smallmouth)
    Smallmouth Bass
    Salmon (Atlantic)
    Atlantic Salmon
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 6 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (8)
Great Day on Skaneateles!
Great Day on Skaneateles!
Great day with Cpt Mike
+5
Angler rating
6
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 7 reviews
Marianne R.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   June 22, 2024
The charter operator canceled 2 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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4 persons find this review helpful
You and 4 people found this review helpful
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4 persons find this review helpful
You and 4 people found this review helpful

Jason D.
Norman, OK
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day on Skaneateles!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on July 12, 2023
One of the best guided fishing trips I’ve ever been on. I had requested ahead of time that I’d like to focus on Smallies...
Jason D. recommends Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
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You found this review helpful
  Mike Crawford Captain replied

James R.
Pittsford, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day with Cpt Mike

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on October 7, 2022
My son and I had an awesome day with Mike. Caught a bunch of Lake trout, some rock bass and a monster 5lb smallmouth. Had a...
James R. recommends Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Mike Crawford Captain replied

Barb S.
Rohrerstown, PA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip on Skaneatlas

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on July 21, 2023
Captain Mike was so attentive the entire trip. He go us on the fish.  Had a great day!  Thanks Captain Mike
Barb S. recommends Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Barb S. recommends Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Timothy W.
Exeter, PA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day, felt safe and was taken care of the entire trip.

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on September 3, 2022
Timothy W. recommends Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Timothy W. recommends Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

FAQs about Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake

Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake offers the following trip to customers:
  • US $525 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS 9" 2021 Hummingbird Helix / Minn Kota Terrova
  • Fishfinder 2021 Hummingbird Helix
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Radar

Trips booked with Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Lake Fishing

Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Fly Fishing
  • Ice Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Lake Trout
  • Perch (Yellow)
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Atlantic)

Your captain

Mike Crawford
Skaneateles, New York, United States
1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
18 Customer reviews
Response time 6 hours
Member since May 2018
Upstate Guide Service (UGS) is a licensed, insured, and professional guide service providing safe and enjoyable angling trips in Upstate New York since 2003. With over two decades of professional guiding, UGS offers the hands-on experience and skills to provide you and your friends a quality fishing trip. Every time out! Mike Crawford, the owner and head guide at UGS, is a USCG Masters Licensed Captain and NYSDEC Licensed Guide. MIke has extensive knowledge of local waters and has guided anglers and hunters in Northern Canada and Alaska as well as throughout Central New York, The Adirondacks, and Catskill Regions of Upstate New York. Make the most of your valuable vacation time with a professional and experienced guide service...Upstate Guide Service.

The fish you can target

Bass (Largemouth) Largemouth Bass
Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Lake Trout Lake Trout
Perch (Yellow) Yellow Perch

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
18 ft
Year built
2021
Boat manufacturer
Lund
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
1 x 115HP

Which types of fishing are offered

River Fishing
Lake Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Fly Fishing
Ice Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
9" 2021 Hummingbird Helix / Minn Kota Terrova
Fishfinder
2021 Hummingbird Helix
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Radar

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

What the listing policies are

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

How you can pay

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Bank Transfer