Oneida Lake, New York

[Inishmore3]

Hello,

Has anyone ever fished Oneida Lake and if so can you tell me about it? What you fish for? Bait? I'd appreciate it.

[team heat]

Be very careful on Lake Oneida.When the wind starts blowing this lake turns into a washing machine in minutes.If you look at a chart of the lake you will see its a series of humps all down the lake this is what causes the bad waves.The walleye fishing was very good years ago when we went.I dont know about recenly.We did catch alot of yellow perch while walleye fishing.I think the pro bass anglers have tournaments on the lake.Be careful out there.

[Bruce Litton]

I've heard great things about the smallmouth bass in recent years. Passing the lake on the way to Pulaski since 2009, I heard only about the walleye, but the smallmouth apparently grow big & from a base of numerous smaller.

[Tigerhunter]

I live about a half hour from it and have for 30 years or so. It's a great fishery and has just about everything in it. As said before, the waves can make it very dangerous.

I would say the two most popular species in the lake are walleye and bass. I haven't fished it a ton as I typically target tiger Muskie and purebred Muskie but we have done well with walleye, smallies, largemouth and pickerel. I almost got my first bowfin there as well.

There are plenty of launches all around the lake too with a couple of free state launches. I've had better luck with the west end of the lake better than the east.

There are a few shoals that could be dangerous too, it would be a good investment to get a map of lake for your first trip. Being that it is probably the most popular lake in central NY there is a lot of info on it, check out myfishfinder.com forums, there are countless threads by people who fish it on a regular basis.

Good luck!

[AndyS]

Walleye !!

[crewchief2]

Couple of Oneida lake fish.