Cayuga Lake
The second-largest Finger Lake, 38 miles long, running north from Ithaca toward Seneca Falls. It offers deep-water lake trout and salmon fishing plus a shallow, weedy north end that is a popular largemouth bass tournament stop.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Lake Trout
Troll or vertical jig deep water in summer, below the roughly 70 ft thermocline.
Largemouth Bass
The shallow, weedy north end is the place in spring and summer; a regular pro tournament stop.
Atlantic Salmon
Troll the south end in April and May. In fall they run Fall Creek and Salmon Creek.
Brown Trout
Troll the south end in spring. Winter shore anglers use minnows at Milliken Station.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky shorelines and drop-offs around the main lake.
Northern Pike
Spring trolling at the south end and weed edges in the north end.
Boat launches
9 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Allan H. Treman State Marine ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89, 1 mile north of Ithaca. Concrete ramp, pumpout, parking for 141 rigsDirections ↗
- 2Taughannock Falls State ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89, 8 miles north of Ithaca. Concrete ramp, pumpout, 16 rigsDirections ↗
- 3Myers PointPublicTown of Lansing park off Route 34B. Boat and shore accessDirections ↗
- 4Long Point State ParkPublicNYS Parks, off Route 90 southwest of Aurora. Hard-surface ramp, 35 carsDirections ↗
- 5Frontenac ParkPublicVillage of Union Springs, off Route 90Directions ↗
- 6Mud LockPublicOff Route 90 on River Road north of Cayuga village. Concrete ramp, 16 rigs; accessible launch at River Road parking areaDirections ↗
- 7Cayuga Lake State ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89 east of Seneca Falls. Concrete ramp, pumpout, 50 rigsDirections ↗
- 8Dean's Cove State Marine ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89. Two concrete ramps, 48 rigsDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout All year; no more than 3 brown trout or 3 rainbow trout | 15 in | 5 / day combined |
| Atlantic Salmon Counts toward the 5 / day trout and salmon combined limit | 18 in | 3 / day |
| Walleye All Finger Lakes; May 1 to Mar 15 | 18 in | 3 / day |
| Northern Pike All Finger Lakes; May 1 to Mar 15 | 22 in | 5 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- JW Bait & TackleNearby145 Cayuga St, Union SpringsDirections ↗
Local tips
- Invasive hydrilla was found in Cayuga Inlet; clean, drain and dry your boat and trailer before leaving.
- The north end is a shallow, weedy flat of about 5,800 acres; the rest of the lake drops off fast to great depth.
- When ice is safe, the north end can be good for panfish and pickerel; Milliken Station is a winter shore spot for trout and salmon.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
More New York lakes
Lake George Great Sacandaga Lake Chautauqua Lake Keuka Lake Canandaigua Lake Skaneateles Lake Ashokan Reservoir Black Lake All New York lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.