Lake Ontario Fishing in Cayuga County

By George Fiorille

Fishing in Cayuga County offers something for everyone. The county’s extensive freshwater coastline includes three Finger Lakes either partially or in whole and several smaller lakes and ponds, creating a diverse range of waters to explore. Cayuga Lake was responsible for the state record smallmouth bass and largemouth bass 2 years in a row. 

Possibly the best jewel of a lake in Cayuga County is the shoreline and a well-protected bay of Lake Ontario.  Anglers can target cold-water species such as lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon, as well as warm-water favorites like bass, perch, northern pike, and panfish in Ontario. With opportunities to fish from the shore, a boat, kayak, or even through the ice, fishing here truly spans all four seasons.

Lake Ontario, is a premier destination for freshwater fishing, known for its deep waters and thriving populations of lake, brown and rainbow trout, and salmon. Along the shoreline and in the shallows, warm-water species like bass, perch, and northern pike provide exciting action throughout the season. Whether you’re trolling from a boat or casting from a public access point, Lake Ontario in Cayuga County delivers both impressive catches and unforgettable views. It’s one of the few places in North America where you can catch chinook salmon in the 30-40-lb range, 15-pound walleye and smallmouth bass over 7-pounds. 

Note: You can pick this guide up at the Bass Pro in Auburn NY or at Screwy Louie’s In Fair Haven NY.

 For anglers drawn to big-water adventure, Lake Ontario and Little Sodus Bay provide an entirely different fishing experience along Cayuga County’s northern shoreline.  Little Sodus Bay, near Fair Haven, is well known for its protected waters and excellent bass, perch, and pike fishing, while nearby Lake Ontario offers world-class opportunities to pursue salmon and trout mentioned above. . This area is especially popular during spring and summer, when anglers can enjoy both sheltered bay fishing and open-lake excursions in a single trip.

Try trolling Lake Ontario shallow shorelines in spring for trophy brown with planer boards loaded with stick baits. In fall, try trolling spoons, and loaded flies for large chinook salmon staging in front of streams and rivers in anticipation of the fall spawn. 

Lake Ontario’s open waters can get very rough on windy days. Anglers can fish in the protected bay mentioned at Fair Haven. Avid anglers also know on days that are too windy to fish on the Great Lake, they can venture to the north end of one of the nearby Cayuga County’s Finger Lakes. 

Fishing in Cayuga County is about slowing down, exploring new waters, and enjoying time outdoors in a place that welcomes anglers season after season.

Visit our On the Water page for more information places to fish, boat launches and more!

Fish On!

Read George’s other blogs on fishing in Cayuga County