New York Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in New York.
Cayuga Lake
Chautauqua Lake
Lake George
Great Sacandaga Lake
Oneida Lake
Seneca Lake
More New York lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Cayuga LakeTompkins, Cayuga & Seneca Counties · 42,956 acres
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
8 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 ↗
- Taughannock Falls State ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89, 8 miles north of Ithaca. Concrete ramp, pumpout, 16 rigsDirections ↗
- Myers PointPublicTown of Lansing park off Route 34B. Boat and shore accessDirections ↗
- Long Point State ParkPublicNYS Parks, off Route 90 southwest of Aurora. Hard-surface ramp, 35 carsDirections ↗
- Frontenac ParkPublicVillage of Union Springs, off Route 90Directions ↗
- Mud LockPublicOff Route 90 on River Road north of Cayuga village. Concrete ramp, 16 rigs; accessible launch at River Road parking areaDirections ↗
- Cayuga Lake State ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89 east of Seneca Falls. Concrete ramp, pumpout, 50 rigsDirections ↗
- Dean's Cove State Marine ParkPublicNYS Parks, Route 89. Two concrete ramps, 48 rigsDirections ↗
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.
Chautauqua LakeChautauqua County · 13,000 acres
Chautauqua Lake
Chautauqua Lake is in far western New York between Mayville and Jamestown. It is one of the state's best muskellunge lakes and also has good walleye, bass and crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Muskellunge
The lake record musky topped 51 pounds.
Walleye
Troll crankbaits or drift minnows 10 to 20 feet deep near Bemus Point in spring.
Largemouth Bass
Throw topwater frogs and spinnerbaits along weed lines in summer.
Crappie
Cast small jigs with minnows in the shallows during the spring spawn.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Prendergast Point Boat LaunchFreeNYSDEC launch off Route 394 via Prendergast Blvd, west shoreDirections ↗
- Long Point State Park LaunchFeeNY State Parks launch off Route 430 near Bemus Point; park fee in seasonDirections ↗
- Bemus Point State Boat LaunchFreeNYSDEC launch in Bemus Point; rebuilt in late 2025 with new ramp, docks and kayak launchDirections ↗
- McCrea Point ParkPublicCity of Jamestown launch at the south end of the lakeDirections ↗
- Lakewood LaunchPublicVillage of Lakewood public launch on the south basinDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee New York DEC or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Statewide limits for species in this lake, confirmed from the official state regulations. The state lists no special rule for this lake. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye Season May 1-Mar 15 | 15 in | 5 / day |
| Largemouth Bass Black bass; open Jun 15-Nov 30; catch and release, artificial lures only Dec 1-Jun 14 | 12 in | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Black bass; open Jun 15-Nov 30; catch and release, artificial lures only Dec 1-Jun 14 | 12 in | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge Season Jun 1-Nov 30 | 40 in | 1 / day |
| Crappie Black and white; all year | 10 in | 25 / day |
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Chautauqua Reel OutdoorsNearby2500 Route 394, Ashville, NY(716) 763-2947Directions ↗
- Hogan's HutNearby3503 Old Bridge Rd, Stow, NY(716) 789-3831Directions ↗
- Chautauqua MarinaNearby104 W Lake Rd, Mayville, NY(716) 753-3913Directions ↗
Local tips
- The north basin is deeper. The south basin is shallower and weedier.
- Fall is a good time for big walleye. Troll crankbaits around rocky points.
- Known spots include the Mayville bar, Bemus Bay, Point Chautauqua and Ashville Bay.
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.
Great Sacandaga LakeFulton & Saratoga Counties · 24,707 acres
Great Sacandaga Lake
A large reservoir in the southern Adirondacks formed by Conklingville Dam on the Sacandaga River, near Northville and Broadalbin. It is known for big northern pike, including the old 46 lb state record, plus walleye and strong smallmouth fishing.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Natural, plentiful population. Fish main-lake points and drop-offs at low light.
Northern Pike
Very large pike live here. Big spoons and swimbaits along weed edges and creek mouths; good through the ice.
Smallmouth Bass
Among the best fishing on the lake in recent years. Rocky points and shoals with tubes and drop shots.
Yellow Perch
Popular through the ice. Small jigs and minnows on flats.
Rainbow Trout
Stocked each year in the deeper parts of the lake. Troll spoons in summer.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Northville Boat LaunchPublicNYSDEC. Off Route 30. Hard ramp, parking for 60 cars and trailersDirections ↗
- Broadalbin Boat LaunchPublicNYSDEC. Off County Route 110, about 3 miles northeast of Broadalbin. Hard ramp, parking for 60Directions ↗
- Town of Day Boat LaunchPublicNYSDEC. North Shore Rd, Saratoga County. Hard ramp, parking for 40Directions ↗
- Northampton Beach CampgroundFeeNYSDEC campground and day use area south of Northville. Launch, shore fishingDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| All species (tributaries) Tributaries except the Sacandaga River, from mouth upstream to the first road bridge | See New York rules book ↗ | Closed Mar 16-Apr 30 |
| All species Ice fishing permitted on the lake | Statewide | Statewide |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Great Sacandaga Lake ↗Local tips
- The lake is drawn down a lot over fall and winter, so ramps and shallow flats change through the year.
- Tributaries (except the Sacandaga River) are closed to fishing from March 16 to April 30, from the mouth up to the first road bridge.
- Ice fishing is allowed and popular for pike, walleye and perch. Check ice carefully since levels are being lowered.
Lake GeorgeWarren, Essex & Washington Counties · 28,451 acres
Lake George
A long, clear lake in the southeastern Adirondacks, running about 32 miles from the Village of Lake George north to Ticonderoga. It has a strong wild lake trout population and ranks among New York's top bass lakes.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Lake Trout
Naturally reproducing. Fish below the thermocline (about 26 ft) in summer with downriggers or jigs. Minimum 23 inches, 2 per day.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky shoals, points and island edges. Tubes and drop shots.
Largemouth Bass
Weedy bays and docks, especially in the shallower bays.
Landlocked Salmon
Stocked annually. Troll near the surface in spring and fall. Minimum 18 inches, 2 per day.
Yellow Perch
Small shoreline bays, a favorite of ice anglers along with black crappie.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Million Dollar BeachFeeDEC launch, Village of Lake George. Two lanes; fee Memorial Day to Columbus Day; 6am to 8pmDirections ↗
- Mossy PointPublicDEC hard surface ramp on Black Point Road, 2 mi north of Ticonderoga; pumpoutDirections ↗
- Rogers Rock CampgroundPublicDEC hard surface ramp on Route 9N north of Hague; open year round; day-use fee in peak seasonDirections ↗
- Hague Town BeachFeeTown of Hague ramp; fee or permit requiredDirections ↗
- Northwest Bay BrookCarry-inDEC hand launch only, Route 9N north of Bolton LandingDirections ↗
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 Open year round | 23 in | 2 / day |
| Atlantic Salmon Open year round | 18 in | 2 / day |
| Smelt May 16 to Mar 31; possession prohibited Apr 1 to May 15; no dip netting | See New York rules book ↗ | 25 / 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.
- Fish307.comNearby814 Goggins Road, Lake George(518) 798-9203Directions ↗
Local tips
- Boats must be registered with the Lake George Park Commission, and trailered boats need an inspection before launching.
- Lake trout hold below the thermocline, around 26 feet, through summer.
- Smelt possession is prohibited April 1 through May 15, and dip netting is not allowed.