The 10 Best Fishing Lakes in New York

Discover the top fishing lakes in New York, from the Finger Lakes to Lake Erie. Learn about the fish species, tackle, and equipment needed for each lake and find out which lakes offer the best fishing experiences.

1. Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, located on the international border between Canada and the United States. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five, and it’s the easternmost of all the Great Lakes. It is approximately 243 miles long and 53 miles wide.

Types of fish: Salmon, trout, walleye, perch, crappie, bass, pan fish, muskellunge
Types of fishing: Trolling, jigging, float fishing, drift fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Holiday Inn Express Oswego, Hampton Inn Oswego, Fairfield Inn East Syracuse
Nearest fishing store: Fisherman’s Pier tackle shop, 4 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat launches, beaches, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 3 miles away

2. Saratoga Lake

Saratoga Lake is a 4,200 acre body of water located in Saratoga County, New York. It is 7.5 miles long and up to 2 miles wide, with a max depth of 70 feet.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Brown bullhead, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed
Types of fishing: Boat, Shore, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: King’s Inn, Quality Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs
Nearest fishing store: Hiscock’s Sports Center, 10 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 2 miles away

3. Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua Lake is a 17,160 acre lake located in Chautauqua County, New York. It is 19 miles long and up to 4 miles wide, with a max depth of 85 feet.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, panfish, rainbow trout
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Mayville Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express Celoron, The Washburn
Nearest fishing store: Wright’s Sporting Goods, 8 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat launches, beaches, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 3 miles away

4. Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a natural freshwater lake located in the northeastern United States and part of Canada. It is the sixth largest lake in the United States, covering an area of over 500 square miles.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, salmon, lake trout, brown trout, northern pike, muskellunge, yellow perch, walleye, panfish
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Best Western Plus Essex Resort & Conference Center, Comfort Inn & Suites Ticonderoga, Essex Inn & Suites
Nearest fishing store: Lake Champlain Outfitters, 6 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 4 miles away

5. Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake is the longest finger lake in the state of New York, at 37.2 miles long and up to 3 miles wide. The maximum depth of the lake is 435 feet.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye, Yellow perch, Brown bullhead, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, lake trout, Atlantic salmon
Types of fishing: Boat, Shore, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Statler Inn, Best Western Plus Auburn Inn, Hampton Inn Ithaca
Nearest fishing store: The Great Outdoors, 8 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 4 miles away

6. St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River is a large international river located in northeastern North America that connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is 744 miles long and up to 5 miles wide.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye, Muskellunge, Yellow perch, Brown bullhead, Catfish, Salmon, Trout
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing, Shore Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: The Thousand Islands Inn, Captain Bartlett Inn, The Iroquois
Nearest fishing store: St. Lawrence Outfitters, 9 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 5 miles away

7. Oneida Lake

Oneida Lake is a 22,000 acre lake located in Madison and Oneida Counties, NY. It is 28 miles long and up to 5 miles wide, with a max depth of 43 feet.

Types of fish: Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Perch, Walleye, Crappie, Channel catfish
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Best Western Plus Carrier Circle, Lakeview Inn, The Logan Inn
Nearest fishing store: Fisherman’s Discount, 15 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 7 miles away

8. Onondaga Lake

Onondaga Lake is an 8,000 acre body of water located in Onondaga County, New York. It is 13 miles long and up to 1.2 miles wide, with a max depth of 65 feet.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye, Yellow perch, Brown bullhead, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Red Roof Inn Syracuse, Hampton Inn Liverpool, Comfort Inn & Suites Syracuse
Nearest fishing store: The Great Outdoors, 9 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat launches, beaches, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 4 miles away

9. Canandaigua Lake

Canandaigua Lake is a 14,500 acre lake located in Ontario and Yates Counties, New York. It is 20.8 miles long and up to 4 miles wide, with a max depth of 325 feet.

Types of fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye, Crappie, Panfish, Brown bullhead, Bluegill
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Best Western Plus Victor Inn & Suites, The Halsey House, Woodcliff Hotel & Spa
Nearest fishing store: Canandaigua Outlet Bait & Tackle, 4 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 6 miles away

10. Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake is a 40,000 acre lake located in Seneca, Ontario, Schuyler, and Yates Counties, New York. It is 38 miles long and up to 2.5 miles wide, with a max depth of 618 feet.

Types of fish: Trout, bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, panfish, carp, muskellunge
Types of fishing: Trolling, Casting, Float Fishing, Shore Fishing
Fishing equipment rental: Yes
Fishing guide service: Yes
Closest hotels to this lake: Holiday Inn Express Geneva, Fairfield Inn & Suites Geneva, Hampton Inn & Suites Penn Yan
Nearest fishing store: Seneca Bait & Tackle, 10 miles away
Basic fishing regulations: State limits, no snagging or foul-hooking of fish, respect private property
Amenities of the lake: Boat access, swimming areas, picnic areas, fishing piers
Nearest gas station: Mobil gas station, 6 miles away

Find Good Fishing Spots in New York and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

If you’re looking for great fishing spots in New York, explore this Google map to discover some of the best lakes and other locations. You can easily find directions, as well as details on the types of fish available and other information to help you plan your trip. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, this map will help you find the perfect spot to cast your line and catch some of the best fish New York has to offer.

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to New York

The weather in New York can vary greatly throughout the year, making it an ideal spot for sport fishing. During the summer months, the temperatures are usually warm and sunny, making it a great time to fish. In the winter, the temperatures can drop significantly, but the weather is generally still mild enough for fishing. Rainfall is common throughout the year, but it rarely gets too cold for a successful fishing trip.