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Mike Crawford
Captain

Mike Crawford

Alexandria Bay, United States
25+ reviews
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.

Charters

Rating

4.9
33 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

All reviews (33)

Showing 1 – 5 of 33 reviews
  • Paul Crecca
    Paul Crecca
    Repeat angler
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2025
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Guide & Teacher for 1000 Island Smallies

    Full Day Trip • 2 adults

    Mike C. was a great guide and teacher for catching big 1000 Island Smallmouth. He knows the vast waters of the St. Lawrence as well as anyone could, having 30 years for fishing experience on those waters. Mike's boat a Lund deep V is my personal favorite for fishing, its roomy, stable and safe, unlike those 80mph bass racing boats which are scary dangerous IMO - and captain Mike is a very safe captain. Overall a great fishing experience, with some big smallmouth caught and released.

    Reported catch:
    Smallmouth Bass
    Response from Captain

    Thanks Paul!

  • Nic Williams
    Nic Williams
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great time on the St Lawrence!

    Full Day Trip • 2 adults

    Captain Mike is the best in the business! My wife and I are complete beginners and had a great experience, will definitely book again.

    Reported catch:
    Northern Pike
    Response from Captain

    Thanks Nic! Pleasure meeting you guys!

  • Joachim Otero
    Joachim Otero
    Repeat angler
    us
    Washington D.C., US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great guide!

    Full Day Trip – Oneida Lake • 2 adults

    Despite flaky weather we had a great time Mike is a great guide !

    Response from Captain

    Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

  • Pat Riccardi
    Pat Riccardi
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Memorable fishing experience

    6 Hour Trip • 2 adults

    Mike Crawford is exceptional knowledgeable and accommodating guide

  • Mitchell Wadel
    Mitchell Wadel
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2025

    The captain canceled

    Trip was supposed to happen on July 25, 2026
    The charter operator canceled 2 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Upstate Guide Service – St. Lawrence River
    Upstate Guide Service – St. Lawrence RiverAlexandria Bay, NY
    Two anglers proudly displaying a large Smallmouth Bass while fishing on a scenic lake.
    Fish 1
    Smallmouth Bass
    Paul C.
    Paul C.
    Mike C. was a great guide and teacher for catching big 1000 Island Smallmouth. He knows the vast waters of the St. Lawrence as well as anyone could, having 30 years for fishing experience on those waters. Mike's boat a Lund deep V is my personal favorite for fishing, its roomy, stable and safe, unlike those 80mph bass racing boats which are scary dangerous IMO - and captain Mike is a very safe captain. Overall a great fishing experience, with some big smallmouth caught and released.
  • Upstate Guide Service – Otisco Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Otisco LakeOtisco, NY
    An angler proudly displaying a large Smallmouth Bass while fishing on a serene lake.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Smallmouth Bass
    Marc B.
    Marc B.
    Had a great day fishing!!! We caught about 60 fish of all different species. I’m definitely going to book with Captain Mike again!!!
  • Upstate Guide Service – Otisco Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Otisco LakeOtisco, NY
    Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of large Largemouth Bass while fishing on a serene lake.
    Fish 1
    Smallmouth Bass
    Peter N.
    Peter N.
    Capt Mike is a tremendous guide with vast knowledge of the NY/VT waters. I'd say the conditions were challenging the day we went out but Mike found us great fish. There's no doubt we'll be contacting Mike again for future trips. I'm telling you, Mike's your guide!
  • Upstate Guide Service – Otisco Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Otisco LakeOtisco, NY
    An angler proudly displaying a large Northern Pike while fishing on a scenic lake, showcasing the thrill of freshwater fishing.
    Fish 1
    Muskellunge (Musky)
    Cortney T.
    Cortney T.
    Mike was amazing, I cannot recommend him enough. He worked hard for us and we had action all day. He also was a a nice guy and we enjoyed chatting with him throughout the day. I’m not used to freshwater fishing and he taught me a lot! We will absolutely be back.
  • UGS – Ice Fishing On Oneida Lake
    UGS – Ice Fishing On Oneida LakeBernhards Bay, NY
    Three large Yellow Perch displayed on a fillet table, showcasing a successful freshwater fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Yellow Perch
    Many ice anglers chomping at the bit to get out and fish found safe ice of Oneida Lake in several locations over the last few days. Fishing has been very good. Ice thickness -- not-so-much. With a drastic thaw, heavy rain, ensuing run-off, and warm temps in the forecast -- Venturing out on the ice anywhere in Central New York -- is not reccommended. Long range forecast has ice-making back on the menu. Stay tuned.
  • Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles LakeSkaneateles, NY
    An angler proudly displaying a large Smallmouth Bass while fishing on a serene lake, showcasing a calm and picturesque fishing environment.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Smallmouth Bass
    Jason D.
    Jason D.
    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 during our trip, and Mike was happy to oblige. He had us on the fish from the outset, and I lost count of how many we caught during the day. We even stumbled across a few other species throughout the day. If you like to actually FISH, and not just troll around the lake, then Mike is the guide for you!
  • Upstate Guide Service – St. Lawrence River
    Upstate Guide Service – St. Lawrence RiverAlexandria Bay, NY
    Two adult anglers proudly display a spotted bass aboard a fishing boat on a calm inland lake.
    Fish 1
    Smallmouth Bass
    Annette F.
    Annette F.
    Mike has a lifelong passion and respect for all things outdoors. He is a very skilled fisherman and was responsive to our needs on the water. We stopped at an island for a scenic picnic lunch. I would definitely use Mike again. Many thanks for the great experience!
  • Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles LakeSkaneateles, NY
    A young angler proudly displaying a large Smallmouth Bass while fishing on a scenic lake, showcasing the excitement of youth fishing adventures.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Smallmouth Bass
    James R.
    James R.
    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 great time, learned a ton and made the most out of a cooler drizzly day. Mike was great with my 11 yr old who doesn’t always take instruction very well. Thanks Mike, heal up and we will find some time to go out again next year! Be well.
  • Upstate Guide Service – Oneida Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Oneida LakeBlossvale, NY
    An angler proudly displaying a healthy Smallmouth Bass while fishing on a scenic lake, surrounded by autumn foliage.
    Fish 1
    Smallmouth Bass
    Jason S.
    Jason S.
    Had a great time, was non-stop action all day long. Caught alot of fish and had a great time, couldn't ask for a better guide!!! Would recommend him to anyone. I will be going out with him soon!!!!!!
  • Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles Lake
    Upstate Guide Service – Skaneateles LakeSkaneateles, NY
    A scenic view of a fishing boat on a calm lake, showcasing lush green hills in the background and a clear sky.
    Fish 1
    Smallmouth Bass
    Tim W.
    Tim W.

Fishing reports

Three large Yellow Perch displayed on a fillet table, showcasing a successful freshwater fishing trip.

The Ice came and went!

Jan 23, 2024 • Bernhards Bay
Many ice anglers chomping at the bit to get out and fish found safe ice of Oneida Lake in several locations over the last few days. Fishing has been very good. Ice thickness -- not-so-much. With a drastic thaw, heavy rain, ensuing run-off, and warm temps in the forecast -- Venturing out on the ice anywhere in Central New York -- is not reccommended. Long range forecast has ice-making back on the menu. Stay tuned.
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