Sullivan is found in Central New York's Madison County. It was named after General John Sullivan, who gained fame in the Revolutionary War. The quaint yet scenic area boasts freshwater waterways that contain an abundance and variety of game. Boasting year-round tourism, even in the autumn and winter, Sullivan makes for a great all-around nearby stop when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Apart from breathtaking scenery, Sullivan boasts great art, culture, history scenes, fun outdoor activities, and even a haunted history dating back to the 19th century. Anglers will find Sullivan surprising yet delightful for their next fishing adventure. It's easily accessed by land or air, with Luther Airport located in its area. Sullivan has plenty to offer whether you're spending time in the community or the great outdoors. It's a viable fishing destination because there, you'll find New York's largest lake and a productive creek that borders it.
Whether you drop your lines onshore or offshore in Sullivan’s waters, you can reel in a variety of species all year round while having the chance to bask in the beautiful scenery that surrounds you.
Being the largest lake within New York, Oneida Lake is the top and a most popular spot for anglers visiting. It is known for its great walleye, yellow perch fishing, and fantastic bass fishing. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass as well as chain pickerel, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, black crappie, freshwater drum, common carp, bowfin, burbot, longnose gar, lake sturgeon, gizzard shad, and round goby can be found in the lake’s clear waters. Through Sullivan, you can access the lake from Bridgeport off Route 31. You’ll be able to find a concrete ramp on the South Shore where you can launch a boat and park trailers and cars. If you want to stay on the shore, you can also fish from its numerous shoreline access sites and docks, where some offer ice fishing access.
Connected to the lake, west of Sullivan is Chittenango Creek. It flows through many marinas where you can launch your boat. If you want to go on foot, there are numerous public fishing access areas along the banks. The creek is one of the most popular streams to fish for trout as brown trout are annually stocked. Other species you’ll find are brook trout, white sucker, northern pike, walleye, and smallmouth bass. Chittenago Falls in the south only permits downstream fishing. You cannot fish directly above it, but you can still enjoy the views.
Canaseraga Creek and Pools Brook, which flow through Sullivan, are excellent fishing spots. You can target rainbow trout, skamania trout, brown trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, and walleye in the creek. The clear spring waters of the brook are home to stocked brown and brook trout as well as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, chain pickerel, bluegill, northern pike, and pumpkinseed. It runs the Chittenango Boat Landing Museum and Old Erie Canal State Park Canalway.
Visit the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, where you can learn more about Sullivan's history. The museum allows you to witness the old drydocks, enjoy a scenic tour of the Canalway, and even know about the tragic history of Erie Canal boatmen and workers. You can also hear about ghost stories, and superstitions passed down until today.
L. Fran Baum, the author of the Wizard of Oz, was born in the Sullivan village of Chittenango. You can visit the All Things Oz Museum at 219 Genesee Street, which features everything related to the classic children’s book and tells more about Baum’s life. The admission fee is $5, but children under ten and active-duty military families can get in for free.