Crankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
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A big, shallow Central New York lake with strong walleye and perch fishing.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Oneida Lake for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. The best months overall are Apr to Oct. In October, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye are in season, and Ned Rig, Suspending Jerkbait and Paddle-Tail Swimbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Eyez Guyz Fishing Supplies in Constantia, 6 mi away. Salmon River is 28 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Apr to Oct
In October
Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Walleye
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Oneida Lake Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · After dark.
Shop This LureNed Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye
Shop This LureTube Jig 3 to 4 in
LureSoft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Yellow Perch
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Walleye, Yellow Perch
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Yellow Perch
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Smallmouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Yellow Perch
Spin / Cast 6 ft ultralight spinning rod or ice rod, 4 lb line, perch spreader or small jig.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Oneida Lake
Rigs
Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner
Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.
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Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness
Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Oneida Lake
Bait & Tackle
Eyez Guyz Fishing Supplies
Constantia, New York· 6 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Constantia, NY.
Bait & Tackle
Mike's Oneida Lake Bait and Tackle
Cicero, New York· 12 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Cicero, NY.
Bait & Tackle
Mickey's Live Bait and Tackle
North Syracuse, New York· 12 mi
Bait and tackle shop in North Syracuse, NY.
Bait & Tackle
Riverside Bait & Tackle
Baldwinsville, New York· 19 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Baldwinsville, NY.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · New York · 28 mi
Salmon River
The Lake Ontario tributary at Pulaski, famous for fall king salmon and winter steelhead.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Lakes & Reservoirs · New York · 36 mi
Lake Ontario (Oswego)
Charter and harbor fishing for kings, lake trout, and brown trout on the eastern lake.
Chinook Salmon · Lake Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · New York · 76 mi
St. Lawrence River
The Thousand Islands region with world-class smallmouth and trophy muskies.
Smallmouth Bass · Muskellunge · Northern Pike