Fishing Cayuga Lake

AKA: Lake Cayuga

Most Popular Fish
Cayuga Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Cayuga Lake, NY

Popular Fish Species Cayuga Lake, NY

Cayuga Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

One of the Finger Lakes in New York, Cayuga Lake offers very good largemouth bass fishing, which recently has been impressing locals. As one of the top bass tournament lakes in the state, it is known for some big bass roam these waters. Thanks to excellent fisheries management by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, bass and food source species all flourish here. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Cayuga Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass also reside here in good numbers and good size.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Cayuga Lake continues to have a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake as well. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line. They make for an excellent fish fry, are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake, and they are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing.

Lake Trout Fishing

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Cayuga Lake can be exciting, to say the least. These large trout can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 200 feet or more during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental help to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons can deliver some great catches.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, landlocked salmon (Atlantic salmon), chain pickerel, northern pike and lake sturgeon at Cayuga Lake in New York.

Cayuga Lake Fishing Video

A nice mix of cold-water and warm-water fish species offer diverse fishing at Cayuga Lake, in the central part of New York State. One of the famed, Finger Lakes, this a 43,000-acre lake with over 100 miles of shoreline.

Cayuga Lake, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, is a renowned fishing destination known for its abundant fish species and stunning natural beauty. Spanning over 38 miles, Cayuga Lake offers diverse angling opportunities and a memorable fishing experience. The lake is home to several popular fish species, including lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, and panfish.

Lake trout are the prized catch in Cayuga Lake, with the potential to grow to impressive sizes. Anglers often target lake trout by trolling with downriggers, using spoons or flasher-fly combinations. Brown trout and rainbow trout are also prevalent in the lake, providing additional excitement for trout fishing enthusiasts. These species can be caught using techniques such as trolling with stickbaits or spoons, casting with spinners or crankbaits, or fly fishing with streamers.

Cayuga Lake offers excellent opportunities for bass fishing as well. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass can be found around rocky structures, weed beds, and drop-offs. Anglers use various techniques like casting with jigs, crankbaits, or soft plastics to entice these popular game fish. Northern pike, known for their aggressive strikes, also inhabit the lake and offer an exciting angling experience. Anglers target pike using techniques such as trolling with large spoons or casting with swimbaits.

Panfish species, including bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and crappie, can be found in Cayuga Lake, providing enjoyable fishing for anglers of all ages. These species are commonly targeted using simple techniques such as bobber fishing with worms, small jigs, or live bait.

In summary, Cayuga Lake offers a diverse and exciting fishing experience, with its variety of fish species and stunning scenery. Whether targeting trout, bass, pike, or panfish, anglers can enjoy the angling challenges and rewards that Cayuga Lake has to offer. Boating enthusiasts and campers can also revel in the recreational opportunities and natural splendor of this picturesque Finger Lakes destination.

There almost a dozen boat launch options located around the lake, providing easy access from all directions. For fishing enthusiasts seeking cold-water species, there are trout, salmon, sturgeon and pike which tend to be more prominent in the deeper, southern half of the lake. Anglers pursuing warm-water fish would do well to concentrate on the shallower, northern section of the lake while fishing for bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. While there is a cross-over of all the species, perch are the most prevalent species to be found in most of the lake. Ice fishing in the northern end of the lake, when there is safe ice, can be good for primarily perch and pike. Shoreline fishing is available at numerous places all around the lake, for anglers preferring to fish from the bank. Local fishing guides and charters are available, offering a wide variety of fishing trip options. While the lake is ideally suited for larger boats - pleasure boats, pontoons and fishing boats, smaller craft like car-top boats, canoes and kayaks can provide access to good fishing water, especially in the northern end. From one end to the other, visitors will find marinas, stores, restaurants, lodging, campgrounds and most amenities required for a fishing trip or family vacation.

Primary fish species residing in Cayuga Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Cayuga Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating is a popular activity on Cayuga Lake, with marinas and boat launches available for easy access to the water. Anglers can explore different areas of the lake, find productive fishing spots, and enjoy the serene beauty of the surroundings. The lake's calm waters make it suitable for various water activities such as water skiing, tubing, or leisurely cruising.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Finger Lakes Boating Center
Rentals: Pontoon boats
607 272-9227

FLX Marine
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
315 889-5532

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cayuga Lake State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Garden Street Extension, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Deans Cove Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off State Route 89, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lond Point State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Lake Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Mud Lock Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off River Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Myers Point Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Marina Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

Beacon Bay Marina
6255 Water St
Cayuga, NY 13034
315 252-2849

Hideaway Harbor
483 Backus Rd
Cayuga, NY 13034
607 765-4005

Union Springs Marina
Hibiscus Harbor
Union Springs, NY 13160
315 889-5086

Wolffy's Grill and Marina
2943 Lower Lake Rd
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
315 257-0077

Fishing Guides On Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake Fishing Charters - trout, salmon

If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.

Fishing License

Click here for a New York Fishing License.

Camping facilities are available near Cayuga Lake, allowing anglers to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the Finger Lakes experience. Campers can enjoy the tranquility of the area, indulge in freshly caught fish, and appreciate the natural beauty of the region.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Cayuga Lake State Park Campground - 315 568-5163

Twin Oaks Campground - 315 420-2269

Sned-Acres Family Campground - 607 869-9787

Finger Lakes Region State Park Campground - 607 387-7041