Despite August not being one of the better months to catch fish, it's often the time when people and families take time off or vacations. And a popular outdoor activity for many with this free time on their hand is fishing. Unfortunately, some people spend far more time fishing than they do catching fish.

No doubt about it, just about all fishing/catching slows during the hot, high-sun month of August. The water temperatures are at or near their annual maximums, and the high overhead sun causes most fish species to seek shade (fish don't have eyelids). But that doesn't mean fishing is a waste of time, but rather the angler must choose both the optimum time and place to encounter cooperative fish. Chenango County may lack the big waters that some other areas have, but it offers surprisingly good fishing for a variety of species both big and small. The key is usually picking the best water for the species you're looking to catch, and also the most likely habitat areas and time of day (or night) that species will be there and actively feeding. If I had a buck for every time someone has asked where they could go (and especially take kids) to catch some fish, I could buy a couple new fishing outfits for myself. So in no particular order, here are some of my local picks for decent August fishing, along with the species these waters are often noted for producing.