Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club

The Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club started in 1905 when eleven men met by lantern light in the Harrietstown Town Hall basement. They planted whitefish in Lonesome Pond that first morning—and one member fell in the pond getting pulled out. From a back room at a local drugstore to their current facility acquired in 1928, the club has become the region's hub for organized shooting sports and conservation.

The club operates two shooting ranges:

• •Indoor Range: 50-foot facility for pistol and .22 rifle shooting

• •Outdoor Range: Multiple target stations at 100 yards, 50 yards, and 25 yards with covered concrete firing line. Accommodates multiple shooters engaging targets at different distances. Rifles and pistols of any caliber and type welcome.

The club hosts New York State Hunter Education Program courses throughout the year. All instruction comes from NY State certified instructors. Successful completion earns the required New York State certificate.

• •Available Courses:
• •Gun hunter safety
• •Archery hunter safety
• •Trapping

Register through the official NY State program at register-ed.com.

• •Colby Classic Ice Fishing Derby (March 1-2, 2025) – First weekend of March on frozen Lake Colby. Categories: Perch, Trout, Salmon (from Lake Colby), and Northern Pike (from local waters). Prizes for top three heaviest fish in each category.

• •10 Gun Raffle and Picnic (September 6, 2025) – Club's largest annual fundraiser. 11 chances to win per ticket. Features Mossberg Maverick 88 12-gauge plus bonus rifle. Picnic at noon, drawing follows. Tickets sold through the club only until 12 noon on event day. Call Nancy Borden at 518-637-4662.

• •Gun Shows – January and July weekends. Dealers from the North Country display firearms, ammunition, and accessories for buying and selling.

• •Trudeau Big Buck Contest – Running for 100 years. Enter for $20 per season (Archery, Muzzle-loading, or Regular Rifle). Register at Woods & Waters, 255 Broadway, Saranac Lake. Heaviest buck wins cash prize and trophy.

• •Critter Dinner – February potluck for members and families. Bring game from recent hunting seasons.

• •Christmas Pie Sale – Saturday before Christmas at Coakleys. Homemade baked goods, pies sell around $18. Runs 9:00 am–1:00 pm. 30-year tradition.

The clubhouse features banquet space suitable for events and gatherings. Contact the club for rental details.

The club meets the first Thursday of each month—a tradition since 1905. Membership information, constitution, bylaws, and contact details available through the club.

"Over the years we have changed locations. The Bake Sale is currently setup at Coakleys. Bakers bring their pies to us between 8:30-10:00am and we sell from 9:00 until about 1:00pm."

• •Mailing Address: P.O. Box 588, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

• •Range Location: 726 Bloomingdale Avenue, Bloomingdale, NY 12913

• •Phone: 518-891-2560

• •Email: [email protected]

• •On Facebook: Regular updates on events, derby results, and club news.