‘Reel’ excitement...
New York’s Finger Lakes region may be best known for its breathtaking views and world-class wines, but fishing is also a primary attraction. With nine major lakes from which to choose, anglers of all abilities are sure to land a big one – if even it does “get away.”
Canadice Lake
Starting to the west is Canadice Lake. The smallest of the Finger Lakes, Canadice is only three-tenths of a mile wide, three miles long and has a maximum depth of about 95 feet. Despite its size, Canadice has one of the better mixes of fish, including: lake, brown and rainbow trout; landlocked salmon; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; chain pickerel, yellow perch; bluegill; and bullhead.
Honeoye Lake
Honeoye Lake is the shallowest in the Finger Lakes system, with a maximum dept of 30 feet. Honeoye is a warm water fishery, and its primary species are: walleye; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; chain pickerel; bluegill; pumpkinseed; yellow perch; and black crappie. The Department of Environmental Conservation annually stocks Honeoye with about eight million walleye.
Canandaigua Lake
The fourth largest of the Finger Lakes, Canandaigua Lake is just over 15 miles long and at one point, almost 1.5 miles wide, with a maximum depth of 276 feet. It offers fantastic fishing for brown, lake and rainbow trout; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; and yellow perch.
Keuka Lake
The third largest of the Finger Lakes is Keuka Lake. Known for its unique “Y” shape, Keuka is the only Finger Lake that flows into another – draining into Seneca Lake at the north end of its east branch. Within its 20-mile length, a good population of landlocked salmon and lake, rainbow and brown trout can be found. In Keuka’s clear waters, largemouth and smallmouth bass are abundant, as well as northern pike, perch, crappie, bullhead and bluegill.
Seneca Lake
The largest and deepest of the Finger Lakes, at a maximum depth of about 600 feet, Seneca Lake is found in the middle of the Finger Lakes region. Its 35 miles offer: brown, lake and rainbow trout; landlocked salmon; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; yellow perch; northern pike; chain pickerel; crappie; sunfish; bullhead; bowfin; white suckers; channel catfish; lake sturgeon; carp; alewives; and smelt.
The DEC annually stocks Seneca Lake with lake and brown trout and landlocked salmon, but the rainbow trout population is sustained entirely by natural reproduction in Catherine Creek and its tributaries. The catch and release of rainbow trout in Seneca Lake is greatly encouraged.
Cayuga Lake
Cayuga Lake measures in at 40 miles, making it the longest of Finger Lakes. A fisherman’s dream, Cayuga is home to: lake, brown and rainbow trout; landlocked salmon; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; yellow perch; northern pike; chain pickerel; crappie; sunfish; bullheads; bowfin; white suckers; channel catfish; lake sturgeon; carp; alewives; and smelt.
Owasco Lake
Located in the center of Cayuga County, and just minutes from Auburn, Owasco Lake features: lake, brown and rainbow trout; landlocked salmon; northern pike; walleye; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; chain pickerel; yellow perch; bluegill; and bullhead.
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake stretches for 14 miles through Cayuga and Onondaga counties.
It is home to: lake, brown and rainbow trout; landlocked salmon; largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass; yellow perch; northern pike; walleye; chain pickerel; crappie; sunfish; and bullhead.
Otisco Lake
The Easternmost of the Finger Lakes is Otisco Lake. Considered a minor Finger Lake, Otisco is just six miles long. Nine Mile Creek is the main outlet for Otisco, which offers: brown trout; walleye; tiger muskie; northern pike; smallmouth, largemouth and rock bass; yellow perch; bluegill; and brown bullhead.