Onondaga Lake

Onondaga Lake fishing

Fishing at Onondaga Lake has Tiger Muskie on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 2011, most often in August and September.

Last stocked

September 1, 2014

Plants on record

5

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Average size

8.9 in

Elevation

362 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Liverpool
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
No

A DEC-listed hard surface launch is at Liverpool, operated by Municipal, with parking for about 25 vehicles. Anglers should clean gear: this water has documented invasive species (Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curly-leaf Pondweed, Zebra Mussel, Round Goby).

Sources: access , photos , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Onondaga Lake is stocked

No plants recorded in 2012.

Ninemile Creek (1 mi), Geddes Brook (1.3 mi), Onondaga Creek (2.2 mi), Harbor Brook (3.7 mi), and Hiawatha Lake (4.8 mi) were stocked more recently.

Fish at Onondaga Lake

Fishing Onondaga Lake is most likely to be for Tiger Muskie. All 5 plants on record are Tiger Muskie.

Tiger Muskie 5 plants
Plants
5 of 5
Last stocked
September 1, 2014
Average length
8.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Fishing Onondaga Lake

Onondaga Lake faces ongoing mercury pollution challenges today. However, a significant 15-year multi-stage program, concluded in late 2017, successfully brought the lake to meet criteria required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Onondaga Lake has a history of severe environmental issues, as fishing was banned in 1970 due to mercury contamination. Mercury pollution is still a problem for the lake today. Unsafe levels of pollution also led to the banning of ice harvesting in 1901 and swimming in 1940.

Fish stocked per year

  • 10,2502011
  • 12,5682013
  • 7,5602014

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
September 1, 2014 Tiger Muskie 7,560 8.6 in report
September 1, 2013 Tiger Muskie 5,568 10.2 in report
August 1, 2013 Tiger Muskie 7,000 8.6 in report
September 1, 2011 Tiger Muskie 1,250 9.3 in report
August 1, 2011 Tiger Muskie 9,000 7.8 in report

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