This article covers the top 5 fishing lakes in Missouri. Discover the best spots for…
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.