Summertime is Prime Time
to Go for Panfish in Cayuga County

By George Fiorille

 Whatever species of fish you are looking to catch, you can bet your best lure that fish can be found in Cayuga County waters.  From 20-pound plus salmon, to hand-sized bluegills, Cayuga County lakes and streams are teaming with different fish during certain times of the year.

 While it’s always nice to battle a hard fighting largemouth or smallmouth bass, some gamefish during inactive times may be hard to catch. If you just want to have action and don’t care about the size, try fishing for panfish in Cayuga County waters during the summer period for good numbers of fish. In Cayuga County waters you can find good numbers of panfish such as yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, pumpkinseeds, and rock bass.

The waters that hold good numbers of panfish are Lake Ontario, Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Cross Lake, Duck Lake, Otter Lake, and Lake Como. Panfish are not only easy to catch, but they can make for some good eating as well. Deep fried breaded panfish is one of the most popular ways of cooking fillets. Be sure to roll the fish in flour first, dust off and dunk in an egg/milk coating. Roll your fish next in the breadcrumbs. I like to use the Italian flavored breadcrumbs. For added flavor, try mixing in some grated Romano/Reggiano cheese. 

Panfish fillets can be used for other great recipes as well. Try using them in fish tacos, baked fish casseroles, or even cooking directions in things like a panfish/shrimp bread bowl with various cheeses.

The nice thing about catching panfish in the summer is that they can often be caught in shallower waters less than 20-feet deep. Try fishing for them around rock beds, cement walls, weed beds, sunken logs, and around boat docks. 

Two easy ways to catch panfish

 🐟 Try using live bait such as worms, small minnows, and crawfish.  Most panfish anglers score very well with small jigs such as ones made from deer hair or plastic.  Soft plastic jigs made by Charlie Brewer and Z-man work well. When you are in a large school of active fish, it’s often more efficient to use two or more bait hooks or jigs tied about a foot apart. Using this method can catch multiple fish at a time. 

 🐟 Match the size of your tackle to the fish you are catching. While a 7’6” heavy flipping outfit may catch bass in heavy cover, that rig is an over kill and a handicap for pan fish.  Many avid panfish anglers prefer to use an ultra-light outfit with a very light line such as a 4-pound test line.  Personally, I prefer to use a Lew’s spinning combo that is either 7’ or 7’6’ in medium/light action. For more sensitivity, try using a light braided line such as an 8-10-pound test with a 6-pound fluorocarbon leader.  Try using braids and fluorocarbon lines made by Seaguar. 

 A great aspect of fishing for panfish is the fact that they can be caught quite easily and they are a great fish to teach kids how to fish. Children have short attention spans unless they are getting steady action.  Catching one hand sized panfish after another will put a big smile on most children’s faces and it’s a good bet that he or she will fish for years. 

 Panfish may not be the largest fish that swim in Cayuga county waters, but they sure can provide a good day of fun fishing with lots of action. They are easy to catch, good to eat, and a great way to teach kids the art of angling.

Fish On!

For more information

Visit our On the Water page for more information on where to fish in Cayuga County or visit
Cayuga County Fishing page.

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