Fishing in the Finger Lakes & Central
Explore fishing in the Finger Lakes & Central of New York. Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake, Oneida Lake, Buck Horn Lake, Canand
Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes & Central of New York offers excellent fishing.
1. Cayuga Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Cayuga Lake, New YorkCayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes & Central of New York offers excellent fishing.
- ⚠ This water: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon | All year, Minimum Length-15" except 18" for Atlantic Salmon, Daily Limit-5 in combination, Catch shall include no more than 3 Brown Trout, 3 Rainbow Trout, or 3 Atlantic Salmon
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Long Point State Park Boat Launch →
2. Seneca Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Seneca Lake, New YorkSeneca Lake in the Finger Lakes & Central of New York offers excellent fishing.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
3. Oneida Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Oneida Lake, New YorkOneida Lake in the Finger Lakes & Central of New York offers excellent fishing.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
4. Buck Horn Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Buck Horn Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: William S. Payne Memorial Park Boat Launch →
5. Canandaigua Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Canandaigua Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Onanda Park Boat Launch →
6. Cayuta Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Cayuta Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- ⚠ This water: Walleye, May 1 through March 15, Minimum Length-18", Daily Limit-3 | Seneca County
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
7. Cazenovia Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Cazenovia Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Lakeside Park Boat Launch →
8. Cross Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Cross Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- ⚠ This water: * Northern Pike, May 1 through March 15, Minimum Length-22", Daily Limit-5 * Walleye, May 1 through March 15, Minimum Length-18", Daily Limit-3
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
9. Finger Lakes (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Finger Lakes, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Smith Memorial Park Boat Launch →
10. Green Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Green Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- ⚠ This water: * Ice fishing permitted * Lake Trout, All year, Minimum Length-21", Daily Limit-3
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
11. Keuka Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Keuka Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Waneta Lake Boat Launch →
12. Labrador pond (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Labrador pond, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Labrador Pond Access →
13. Lake Neatahwanta (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Lake Neatahwanta, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
14. Lamoka Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Lamoka Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
15. Mud Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Mud Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
16. Nanticoke Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Nanticoke Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Dorchester Park Boat Launch →
17. Onondaga Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Onondaga Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Onondaga Lake Park Boat Launch →
18. Otisco Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Otisco Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- ⚠ This water: Tiger Muskellunge | May 1-Mar 15, Minimum Length-36", Daily Limit-1
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Skaneateles Lake Boat Launch →
19. Owasco Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Owasco Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- ⚠ This water: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon | All year, Minimum Length-15", Daily Limit-5 in combination, Catch shall include no more than 3 Brown Trout, 3 Rainbow Trout, or 3 Atlantic Salmon
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Boat Launch: Skaneateles Lake Boat Launch →
20. Skaneateles Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
Skaneateles Lake, New YorkPopular fishing lake in the Finger Lakes & Central region of New York.
- ⚠ This water: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon | All year, Minimum Length-15", Daily Limit-5 in combination, Catch shall include no more than 3 of any species
- Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
Fishing Tips for the Finger Lakes & Central
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in New York; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Finger Lakes & Central waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in New York
- Adirondacks & St. Lawrence
- Catskills & Hudson Valley
- Lake Ontario & Thousand Islands
- Long Island & NYC
- Western NY & Lake Erie
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