Onondaga Lake

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 4
Species: 25

Onondaga Lake is a large 2,944-acre lake located in Onondaga County near Syracuse, New York. Once one of the most polluted lakes in the country, Onondaga Lake has undergone significant environmental restoration in recent years, transforming it into a popular fishing destination. The lake spans 4.7 miles in length with a maximum depth of 60 feet and offers 12 miles of shoreline for anglers to explore. Abundant rooted aquatic vegetation can be found around the entire lake from shore out to about 10 feet of water, providing excellent fish habitat. With improved water quality and habitat restoration, Onondaga Lake now supports a diverse fish community and has become particularly well-known for its quality black bass and carp fishing opportunities.

New York licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Onondaga Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Quillback Carpsucker

Carpiodes cyprinus

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Shorthead Redhorse Sucker

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

Silver Redhorse

Moxostoma anisurum

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

White Perch

Morone americana

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Onondaga Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Onondaga Lake Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Onondaga Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

New York licenses and regulations

New York Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the weblink below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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New York Fishing License

"You need a fishing license if you are 16 years and older and fishing for: -Freshwater fish species by angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, and tip-ups. -Frog species by spearing, catching with the hands, or by use of a club or hook. -Freshwater baitfish for personal use."

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New York Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you to check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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New York Stream Access Laws

Public Fishing Rights (PFRs) are permanent easements purchased by NYSDEC from willing landowners, giving anglers the right to fish and walk along the bank (usually a 33' strip on one or both banks of the stream). This right is for the purpose of fishing only and no other purpose. Fishing privileges may be available on some other private lands with the permission of the landowner. Courtesy toward the landowner and respect for their property will ensure their continued use.

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Take Onondaga Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Onondaga Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Onondaga Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.