Lake Information for Oneida Lake

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.