Fishing Oneida Lake

Oneida Lake, located ten miles north of Syracuse in Oneida and Oswego Counties, is the largest lake lying wholly within New York State. Oneida Lake is a relatively shallow natural lake with an average depth of 22 feet and is named for the Iroquois Nation Oneida Tribe. The Oneidas called the lake "Tsioqui" or "white water", a reference to the wave action on the lake on windy days.

Physical Features

Elevation: 370 Feet
Area: 50,894 acres
Length: 21 miles
Maximum Width: 5.5 Miles
Maximum Depth: 55 Feet

Plant Life

Since zebra mussels entered the lake in the early 1990's water clarity has improved considerably. This has resulted in increased aquatic vegetation growth. Oneida Lake has very good weed growth, especially along the shoreline and in the larger bays. Vegetation is most abundant in 5 to 15 feet of water; however with the greater water clarity some vegetation may be found as deep as 20 feet.

Public Access

Madison County
South Shore - off Route 31, one mile east of the hamlet of Bridgeport. Concrete ramp. 100 cars and trailers.
Oswego County
Taft Bay- Route 49, 2 1/2 miles east of the village of Constantia. Ice Fishing Access.
Three Mile Bay - off Route 49, five miles southeast of the village of Central Square in the Three Mile Bay Wildlife Management Area. Beach launching. Parking for 20 cars and trailers.
Toad Harbor - off Shaw Road from Toad Harbor. Shoreline access and hand launching. Parking for 30 cars.
I-81 - Swamp Road at the I-81 crossing. Shore access.
Oneida County
Godfrey Point -adjacent to route 49, one mile east of the village of Cleveland. Hard Surface ramp. 56 cars and trailers.

Verona Beach State Park-off Lake Shore Rd. in Verona Beach. Shore and icefishing access

Onondaga County
Brewerton- off Bartell Road, at the I-81 crossing in Brewerton. Shore access.

Oneida Shores County Park- off Bartell Road in Brewerton. Paved launch. Parking for 100 cars and trailer. Fee.

*There are numerous private marinas and boat launches located around the lake.

General Fishing Information

Gamefish present include walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, pickerel and tiger musky. Panfish present include yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white perch, white bass and bullhead. Channel catfish, freshwater drum (sheephead), and carp are also found in good numbers. Lake sturgeon can be found in the lake and its tributaries; however lake sturgeon are on New York's threatened species list and can not be fished for or possessed. Young of the year yellow perch and gizzard shad are the main forage fish found in the lake. Oneida Lake is best known for its walleye and yellow perch fishery. In the spring walleye can be found in shallow water adjacent to spawning areas and tributaries. During the summer months walleye are usually caught by trolling worm harnesses and stickbaits in deeper water. They may also be found along outside weed edges and can be caught on jigs and blade baits. As the water cools in the fall, walleye move back into the shallows. Fishing from shore after dark this time of year with stickbaits and blade baits can be fantastic. Walleye can also be caught through the ice around shoals, drop offs and deep water flats. Ice fishing for yellow perch is very popular on Oneida Lake. Jigging with small spoons tipped with spikes or mousies or using tip-ups (or tip-downs) baited with minnows are both popular methods. Ice fishing for perch on Oneida normally takes place around deepwater flats in 30-40 feet of water. Oneida Lake is a fantastic bass fishing location, and numerous bass fishing tournaments are held each year on the lake. Oneida Lake has become a popular tournament stop for professional bass fishing organizations such as BASSMASTER and FLW. Smallmouth bass can be caught around the many shoals on crayfish, minnows, tube baits and crankbaits. Largemouth bass are found in the larger bays and anywhere there is good vegetation growth. Spinnerbaits , crankbaits, topwaters, jigs, tube baits, rubber worms and minnows all work well. Panfish can be found throughout the lake. Big Bay is a popular ice fishing location for panfish and one of the first areas on the lake to ice up.

For current fishing information visit the Central New York Fishing Hotline or call 607-753-1551.

Fisheries Management

Oneida Lake is the main egg collection location for walleye in New York State. The NYSDEC Oneida Fish Hatchery in Constantia collects over 300 million walleye eggs a year from Oneida Lake. The resulting walleye fry and fingerlings are stocked throughout New York State. Oneida Lake is stocked annually with around 150 million walleye fry. Lake sturgeon have been periodically stocked into Oneida Lake since 1995.
Along with the DEC, both Cornell University and SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry School (ESF) do numerous research projects on the lake each year and have been monitoring the lake since the early 1900's.

Regulations

Statewide Angling Regulations Apply EXEPT as noted bellow.

Special Regulations for Oneida Lake
Species	Open Season	Minimum Length	Daily Limit	Method
Walleye	1st Saturday in May - March 15	15"	3	Ice Fishing Permitted
Black Bass	1st Saturday in May - Friday Preceding the 3rd Saturday in June	Catch and Release Only		Artificial Lures Only
Black Bass	3rd Saturday in June -November 30	12"	5