Fishing
Since Oneida Lake is full of cold freshwater, many challenging game fish reside in it. Fishermen will find that most of the fish in Oneida Lake can put up quite the fight. Some of the species of fish in this lake include northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, tiger musky, channel catfish, bluegil, perch, and many species of small fish. The walleye is a favorite target among many serious fishermen that come to Oneida Lake. In Oneida, the walleye can be caught between mid-Spring and late-Fall. During the Spring, the walleye travels to the shallow sand beds near the shore to spawn and this is a window of opportunity for walleye fishermen. Tributaries like Fish Creek, Oneida Creek, Canaseraga Creek, Chittenango Creek, and Scriba Creek. are good targets in the spring and hold bass and pike year round.  Anglers should use a boat or cast from the shore with a brightly colored jig or crankbait. Walleye are easy to find during this time period, but still put up quite the fight. It is recommended to use a line with at least a 10 pound test when fishing for walleye. During other seasons, walleye can be found in the deeper waters of Oneida Lake. The best method for this situation is trolling at 4 to 6 miles per hour.  Another targeted species at Oneida Lake is the smallmouth bass or bronze back as it's often called.  Key areas to find smallmouth include Lewis Point, Shackelton Point, Bernhards Bay, Messenger Bay, Eaton Bay, and around Frenchman and Dunham Islands.  Smallmouths are feisty fighters and attack a variety of baits including live bait, spinners, crankbaits and rubber worms.  As it is at most freshwater fishing locations, the largemouth bass is a favorite of many fishermen. This species can be found during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. During the cold seasons, largemouth bass can be frequently found in depths of 10 to 30 feet. Anglers should use a medium weight rod with light tackles. Spinners, jigs, and crankbaits work best. For experienced fishermen up to a challenge, a fly rod can also be used. During the warmer months, largemouth bass leave the deep waters and reside in the shallow waters closer to shore. Key areas to locate largemouth bass include South Bay, North Bay, Lakeport Bay, Lower South Bay, Big Bay, Toad Harbor, and Three Mile Bay.  While the bass are in these locations, anglers should cast a light tackle set-up towards sand beds near aquatic plants. Large game and hard fighters such as northern pike can also be caught at Oneida Lake using trolling methods.

Facilities 
As a large lake, Oneida Lake has all of the facilities that are offered at most large recreational bodies of water. These facilities include marinas, fueling stations, piers, paved boat landings, tackle shops, and sleeping accommodations. These ensure that trips are easy to plan and enjoyable.

The Lake

Oneida Lake is one of the largest lakes in the entire northeastern United States. It has a total area of 80 square miles. Its length is 21 miles and is 5 miles wide. Oneida Lake is 55 feet at its deepest point and has an average depth of 22 feet. These large measurements create the environment that supports the vast populations of large game fish that can be found in Oneida Lake. There is also plenty of space for each fishermen to enjoy his or her own privacy while on the water. Every fisherman should make an effort to visit Oneida Lake. It is an experience that is interesting as well as invigorating.

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