Another is the spot just southeast of buoy 109 that locals simply call “the hump.”Įxpect a lot of 19-inch walleye with the occasional giant pushing 10 pounds at Oneida Lake. Shackleton Shoal, a six-mile-long shallow area in the center of the lake, is also an incredible spot to target spring walleye. The creek is the location of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) state walleye hatchery, and also a major spawning ground for adult walleyes. One of the best areas to target in spring is the area offshore from the mouth of Scriba Creek. Drift-fishing with a black and purple bucktail jig tipped with a piece of nightcrawler is a favorite tactic among local walleye veterans. The best place to fish is usually right around the first major drop-off in 10 to 20 feet of water. Expect to see a second peak in fall, lasting right up until the lake freezes.įrom the start of the season onward, walleye in Oneida Lake will be in the process of gradually transitioning from the gravel bars and shallow flats where they spawned toward deeper summer haunts. Most years, there’s great walleye action on Oneida Lake from the season opener in early May right through June. It also doesn’t get nearly as rough as Erie, making it more friendly toward smaller craft. Oneida Lake is also a bit more approachable and easy to fish than Lake Erie, in large part due to its smaller size (if a 50,894-acre natural lake can be called “small”) and abundance of public access. Outside of the Great Lakes, no other place in New York cranks out more walleye. Located right smack in the middle of Central New York, Oneida Lake has long been known as one of the state’s great walleye factories. Lake Erie also is among the best lakes in New York for smallmouth bass fishing, and walleye anglers will sometimes find themselves tangling with an angry, red-eyed bass on their crankbait or worm rig. Solid year classes almost every year since 2015 have ensured that the walleye fishery in this lake-sustained entirely through natural reproduction-will continue to thrive. Walleye often live 10 years or more in Lake Erie, which is plenty of time for them to pass the 30-inch mark. If that starts to become an issue, adjust your presentation so your bait is 1.5 to 2 feet off the bottom. These small, bottom-dwelling fish have a habit of nibbling the worms right off your hook. It’s worth mentioning that Lake Erie has been overrun with invasive round gobies. You’ll know you’re in the right area when you see the wind farm onshore. If you’re launching from Buffalo, point your boat westward to find some of the best water. Lake Erie is loaded with prime walleye structure, including rocky shelves, points and humps. When the lake stratifies, try trolling in or right above the thermocline, and keep an eye on your depth finder to pinpoint areas where the thermocline meets the bottom structure. Sturdy deep-water gear, tackle and tactics are essential.īy mid-summer, anglers are often forced to focus on depths of 60 feet or more to find walleye in Lake Erie. In spring, catching 25-plus fish in a day is common, and you may well find yourself tangling with walleye in the 10- to 15-pound range. Slowly trolling with worm harnesses on bottom-bouncer rigs is the leading tactic this time of year. Peak walleye fishing usually occurs in June, by which time the bite will have shifted down to the 25- to 40-foot range. Hair jigs and jigging spoons are great this time of year. In spring, expect to find walleye in rocky areas between 15 and 30 feet of water, especially rocky points and drop-offs adjacent to spawning areas. Walleye are tremendously abundant in Lake Erie, but the size and depth of the lake has an effect on their behavior patterns.Įven in spring and fall, seasons when anglers traditionally have the best luck in shallow water, the real bite is usually much deeper. That being said, fishing here isn’t always easy. This lake grows walleyes like no place else in the Northeast. Lake Erie spans 9,940 square miles, and its shoreline real estate is shared among four U.S. There’s almost no competition for the crown when it comes to New York’s best walleye lake. The best fishing in most of these lakes and rivers is around dawn and dusk, and there’s often an excellent night bite for walleye as well.įor much more information to help you catch these popular and great-eating fish, check out our complete guide to walleye fishing techniques and tips. They’re hard to catch in midday except in deep or turbid water. Walleye also avoid harsh sunlight because of their sensitive eyes, but they have excellent vision in low light conditions. In general, it’s best to remember that walleye typically stay close to the bottom, and you’ll have the best chance of success if your bait does the same. Numerous tactics can be used to catch walleye in New York, many of which we’ll cover in specific locations mentioned below.
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