Onondaga, NY Fishing: A Destination Filled with History and Tradition

Found in Onondaga County in the state of New York, Onondaga is a town that is situated southwest of the city of Syracuse, acting as its border. The town contains no villages but is home to many hamlets, which are administrative divisions of New York. The hamlets that make up the region include Cedarvale, Nedrow, Onondaga Hill, Howlett Hill, Navarino, Sentinel Heights, South Onondaga, Southwood, Split Rock, and Taunton. The region has been inhabited by Native Americans for centuries, serving as the capital of the Iroquois Confederacy and the primary settlement of the Onondaga people, which is where its name came from, as early as 1600. 

Onondaga has undergone many boundary changes since it was incorporated on April 2, 1798. Present day, the size of the town is 65 square miles. The town is where one will find the Onondaga Reservation as well, which is the territory of the Onondaga Nation and is recognized as a politically independent entity by the United States Federal Government. Following the American Revolution in the 1770s, most of the native people left the state and resettled in Upper Canada, specifically in Brantford, Ontario. Rich in historic interest, Onondaga is filled with old Indian trails and original overland thoroughfares of westward travel as well as ancestral homes, making the area hold out its role as narrator of the wealth of tradition, legend, and fact.

Onondaga Fishing

Though Onondaga may not offer anglers diverse fishing opportunities, there are still plenty of places nearby that will satisfy those looking for an undisturbed and tranquil trip. Most angling done in and around the vicinity of the area is landlocked, perfect for anglers targeting freshwater species either from the shore or by watercraft.

The most popular fishing spot, though not technically found within the town, is Onondaga Lake. It is located just to the town’s north in the city of Syracuse. The dimictic lake, which has a mixture of water temperatures at certain times of the year, makes it able to host a diverse array of fish species including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, common carp, northern pike, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, channel catfish, walleye, pumpkinseed, and panfish. Species such as American eel, Atlantic Salmon, and whitefish found in the lake have declined though fish like brown trout and lake sturgeon continue to thrive. Anglers can either opt to fish from the lake’s banks or launch their water vessels, with a marina located by Liverpool. Those fishing in the lake commonly do spinning or baitcasting to hook their targets. Baits popularly used in the lake are corn, dough balls, or worms. Surrounding lake parks also offer various places for other activities such as museums and picnic areas. Because the lake has been a consistent overwintering spot for bald eagles, it proves that fishing there has been good. The quality of sport fishing for its bass species has also gained national acclaim. To find largemouth bass, find shallow areas with vegetation while its smaller counterpart is best found in deeper waters or where gizzard shad schools form in the middle of the summer. Common carp in the lake are easily found because they are numerous and tend to grow large.

Considered as a small sanctuary, Webster Pond can be found to the east of the town. The pond is primarily used for fishing as the Angler's Association of Onondaga and volunteers operate it and the public can donate to preserve the area and feed the wildlife. Anglers looking to fish at the pond can target a variety of fish there including largemouth bass, brown trout, white sucker, rainbow trout, brook trout, blue catfish and spotted bass. Its waters are open for angling all year round, operating in the hours from 9 AM to 9 PM. Additionally, the pond offers fishing programs for both children and adults. The area also hosts outdoor events and concerns during the summer and fall. 

Anglers wanting a place that is a good trout fishing spot should head to Carpenter’s Brook which is to the town’s northwest. Fish from the Seneca River migrate to the small stream that remains cool throughout the year. It is also a site where there is a fish hatchery where brown trout is stocked annually. The main trout species that are abundant in its waters are brook and rainbow trout. Other targets found in the stream include largemouth bass, bluegill, creek chub, green sunfish, and pumpkinseed. Throughout the brook, anglers can find several access points where they are allowed to fish from. The spot is also wheelchair accessible. 

Near Onondaga Lake also to the north of the town is Geddes Brook. Its waters are clear and cool, making it a good place to fish for wild trout and is also stocked with the fish annually. The quality of the water has been greatly maintained due to wetlands buffering it being restored. The nearby town of Camillus hosts an annual fishing derby at the brook for kids. Apart from trout, other species found in the brook include largemouth bass, bluegill, white sucker, yellow perch, black bullhead, and rock bass. 

Warm water species can be targeted at Ninemile Creek which is also close to Onondaga Lake and located north of the town. The medium-sized stream gets warm during the summer and cool-water species like trout, which are also stocked in the stream, migrate to the cooler areas like the middle section. Brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, tiger musky, smallmouth bass, rock bass, white sucker, common carp and norlunge are among the fish found in its waters. Baitcasting and fly fishing are popularly done in the stream. 

For anglers who just want to practice and hone their angling skills or even just fish for the fun of it can travel up north and fish at Skaneateles Creek. The brush and tree-lined cold water stream is a no-kill artificial lures only area. Anglers cannot keep, kill and use live bait when angling in the stream. It has several access spots and is annually stocked with rainbow trout and has a good population of brown trout. Smallmouth bass, rock bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, creek chub and skamania trout can also be targeted there.

Top 10 Fish Species in Onondaga, NY

The top 10 fish species found in Onondaga, New York are brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, common carp, northern pike, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, and channel catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Before venturing out to fish, look up local fishing regulations as well as check for weather and water updates and conditions to ensure compliance and safety. Because local and nearby waters are able to maintain cool temperatures, trout fishing in Onondaga can be a year-round endeavor. The best months to fish for trout are between April to October, with the rest of the year being catch and release season, allowing anglers to fish for them using artificial lures. Similar regulations apply when fishing for bass, with its season open from June to November. Carp can be caught from May to September with no daily catch limit. Anglers are not allowed to use crossbows when targeting the fish but they are able to use chum. Fish like northern pike, walleye and tiger musky have an open season from May to March with respective daily limits. Yellow perch, sunfish, pumpkinseed and catfish can be caught all year round. 

Delve Into Onondaga's History

The pleasant and relaxing feel Onondaga offers also provides opportunities for visitors to learn about its deep past as well as travel to nearby cities that are popular tourist destinations as well.

1. Book A Fishing Charter

The county of Onondaga is an affluent trout fishing area, so booking a fishing charter should be easy. Charters will provide assistance in locating the best spots and what methods are best used when anglers decide to plan their next fishing trip in the area. 

2. Learn About the History

The Town of Onondaga Historical Society operates a museum that hosts historical exhibits related to the town. They also have collections of burials records, newspaper articles, a photo collection, census records, County Poorhouse records, and more.

3. Appreciate Historic Buildings

Onondaga is the home to The Gen. Orrin Hutchinson House, or General George Hutchinson House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It showcases Dutch and other influences and used to operate as a restaurant. At Onondaga Hill, people can find the first courthouse built for the county in 1805. The building used to be used as a school until 1846.