Lake Ronkonkoma fishing

Fishing at Lake Ronkonkoma is on a natural lake, stocked with Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Yellow Perch, and 5 more. It is stocked about once a year since 2011, most often in June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and Yellow Perch.

Last stocked

June 1, 2025

Plants on record

15

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Average size

1.6 in

Elevation

54 ft

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Ronkonkoma
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes

DEC operates a concrete boat ramp and angler parking off Victory Drive on the lake's west side; Suffolk County Park (Shore Road) has an ADA-accessible 100-foot fishing pier. Electric motors only, gas motors prohibited.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , nearest_town , speciesFound , fishing_notes , watch_outs , angler_notes

How Lake Ronkonkoma is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of June. In 2025 it was June 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Canaan Lake (6 mi), West Lake (6.6 mi), Nissequogue River (7.7 mi), and Swan River (8.6 mi) were stocked more recently.

Fish at Lake Ronkonkoma

Fishing Lake Ronkonkoma is most likely to be for Walleye. All 15 plants on record are Walleye.

Walleye 15 plants
Plants
15 of 15
Last stocked
June 1, 2025
Average length
1.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fishing Lake Ronkonkoma

Lake Ronkonkoma is the largest and perhaps best known of Long Island's freshwater lakes. Formed by ancient glaciers, portions of its irregular basin are unusually deep for Long Island, reaching 65 feet. However, most of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Access is available from a concrete boat ramp off Victory Drive and a 100-foot accessible fishing pier off Shore Road.

Sources: dec.ny.gov

What to watch for

Anglers should be aware that seasonal parking fees may apply for parking in certain locations around the lake.

What anglers say

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the fishing pier is highly recommended as a shore fishing spot. This recommendation is due to its proximity to some of the best habitat in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Fish stocked per year

  • 5,0002011
  • 5,0002012
  • 5,0002013
  • 5,0002014
  • 5,0002015
  • 5,0002016
  • 5,0122017
  • 5,0142018
  • 5,0002019
  • 5,0002020
  • 8,5702021
  • 5,0002022
  • 5,0002023
  • 5,0002024
  • 5,0002025

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 1, 2025 Walleye 5,000 1.4 in report
June 1, 2024 Walleye 5,000 1.6 in report
June 1, 2023 Walleye 5,000 1.4 in report
June 1, 2022 Walleye 5,000 2 in report
June 1, 2021 Walleye 8,570 1.3 in report
June 1, 2020 Walleye 5,000 1.6 in report
June 1, 2019 Walleye 5,000 1.5 in report
June 1, 2018 Walleye 5,014 2 in report
June 1, 2017 Walleye 5,012 1.5 in report
June 1, 2016 Walleye 5,000 report
June 1, 2015 Walleye 5,000 1.7 in report
June 1, 2014 Walleye 5,000 1.3 in report
June 1, 2013 Walleye 5,000 1.5 in report
June 1, 2012 Walleye 5,000 1.4 in report
June 1, 2011 Walleye 5,000 1.7 in report

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.

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