Cross Lake fishing

Fishing at Cross Lake has Tiger Muskie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Crappie, and 13 more on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2011, most often in June and September. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Last stocked

August 1, 2023

Plants on record

21

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

6.7 in

Elevation

375 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Jordan
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

DEC lists a free hand-launch on Bonta Bridge Road (Seneca River, about 3 miles upstream of the lake, 10-car lot) plus three fee-based private launches, Cross Lake Park Campground & Marina, Cross Lake Inn & Marina, and Quimby's Marina, near Jordan and Meridian.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , speciesFound , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs

How Cross Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of July. In 2023 it was June 1, 2023, earlier than usual.

Skaneateles Creek (3.6 mi), North Brook (7.6 mi), and Duck Lake (10.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Duck Lake is also stocked with Tiger Muskie.

Fish at Cross Lake

Fishing Cross Lake is most likely to be for Tiger Muskie. Tiger Muskie accounts for 15 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Walleye.

Tiger Muskie 15 plants
Plants
15 of 21
Last stocked
August 1, 2023
Average length
9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Walleye 6 plants
Plants
6 of 21
Last stocked
June 1, 2023
Average length
1.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fishing Cross Lake

Cross Lake, located on the border of Cayuga and Onondaga counties, is basically a widening of the Seneca River. Since Cross Lake is part of the New York State Canal System, there are a variety of fish that pass through it. Fish species present in the lake include walleye, tiger muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, and black crappie. Other species such as white perch, yellow perch, and channel catfish can also be found. The lake has a maximum depth of 65 feet.

Sources: dec.ny.gov , en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Anglers should be aware of abundant rooted aquatic vegetation in the northern part of the lake. There are also scattered areas of vegetation in the remainder of the lake.

Fish stocked per year

  • 7,7502011
  • 10,9002012
  • 54,4002013
  • 10,9002014
  • 54,4002015
  • 10,9002016
  • 50,9752017
  • 10,9002018
  • 59,4002019
  • 14,9002020
  • 43,5002021
  • 10,9002022
  • 54,4002023

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 21 plants Showing 21 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
August 1, 2023 Tiger Muskie 10,900 9.1 in report
June 1, 2023 Walleye 43,500 1.2 in report
August 1, 2022 Tiger Muskie 10,900 8.5 in report
June 1, 2021 Walleye 43,500 1.4 in report
September 1, 2020 Tiger Muskie 9,900 10.4 in report
July 1, 2020 Tiger Muskie 5,000 6.7 in report
September 1, 2019 Tiger Muskie 10,900 8.4 in report
August 1, 2019 Tiger Muskie 5,000 8 in report
June 1, 2019 Walleye 43,500 1.2 in report
September 1, 2018 Tiger Muskie 10,900 9.5 in report
September 1, 2017 Tiger Muskie 7,475 9.5 in report
June 1, 2017 Walleye 43,500 1.2 in report
September 1, 2016 Tiger Muskie 10,900 report
September 1, 2015 Tiger Muskie 10,900 9.3 in report
June 1, 2015 Walleye 43,500 1.4 in report
September 1, 2014 Tiger Muskie 10,900 8.5 in report
September 1, 2013 Tiger Muskie 10,900 9.5 in report
June 1, 2013 Walleye 43,500 1.3 in report
September 1, 2012 Tiger Muskie 10,900 9.6 in report
September 1, 2011 Tiger Muskie 6,500 10.4 in report
September 1, 2011 Tiger Muskie 1,250 9.3 in report
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Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes