Lake onieda

[FLATHEAD]

I am headed to Onieda for four days in August? Never been there before any one have some info they would like to share?

 

[bogggar1]

Re: Lake onieda

I would love to help u but I've never been either... Best of luck & let us know how u did!!! If rndn is on soon he might be able to give a few pointers...

 

[rndn]

Re: Lake onieda

Walleye are in and around the rt 81 bridge at the far west end of the lake. Cast a flutter spoon or worm harness around the bridge pilons.

Walleye and bass are found in good numbers around a sandbar off Damon point on the south shore. use spoons and rapalas in the weedy location for both species.

A group of reefs and sunken islands right in the middle of the lake attract good numbers of bass. Troll over the tops for with spoons for best results.
Troll with stickbaits between buoys 117 and 119 for Walleyes.

A sunken island called messenger shoal near the east end of the lake for pike and bass. Troll crankbaits or spoons for good action.

One very important note: Oneida means white water in native american because of the nasty waves that can whip up quickly with a decent wind. It's also a very large lake(51,092 acres of surface area) so it could take a while to get to safe harbor if it gets nasty, so pay attention to the weather.

Good luck and when you go please let me know how you made out fishing.

 

[tdawg36]

Re: Lake onieda

This is my "home lake"....... Earlier this year I was limiting every day, driftin for walleye with bottom bouncer / crawler harness combo's in 38 to 44 ft of water.......last few weeks have been tough though ( major perch hatch ). Had to go to downrigger trolling stick baits in at around 30 to 35 in 41 to 45 of water to have any good action. Got a fat 22" & a nice 25" yesterday plus 8 jumbo perch all in about 3hrs at midday. Hope you have good luck & be very concious of the weather, This lake can kick up some big swells QUICK!!!!!

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Lake onieda

Thanks all good info, But what about the smallies. I am after the small mouth bass. Not much of a walleye or perch guy here. I am staying not far from Sylvan beach.

 

[tdawg36]

Re: Lake onieda

Well the bassmasters our out there today & tomorrow catching em' all up.....good thing it's catch & release for them.....lol......early morning & late afternoon smallies around any structure out to 10' to 15' of water......few big largemouth & pike too.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Lake Oneida

Re: Lake Oneida

I just got back last night. Was there from Sunday till Wednesday. Beautiful place that lake is. Sunday night I managed a few small LM bass on a top water just before dark. Once the seagulls homed in on me that was it, they chased it every cast. One actually took off with it and was up pretty high till I jerked it away from him. Monday dawned windy. We ventured out of the bay and into the main body of water. It only took a short time for the rollers to turn into whitecaps and start to crash over the bow, making it impossible to get on plane without beating yourself to death. WE turned back and headed in. Ive been on the St Lawrence in a storm and that was mild compared to how rough the lake got. The boating forecast claimed 4 foot chop and I believe it was at least that down in the southeast corner where we stayed. Saw on the news a couple rescues took place that day, seemed to be a common thing. Tuesday was much better but a good cold front moved in. I fished some drop offs and deeper water with soft plastics to no success same with the crank baits. I finally hit on a pattern with a spinnerbait slow rolling it over weed beds in 10 feet of water. Managed 4 Smallmouth but nothing over 16 inches. That was about all the fishing I did. The rest of the time my wife and I ventured out and enjoyed the area.

 

[rndn]

Re: Lake onieda

Sounds like all in all you had a great time. Oneida can get very very rough in short order I might add.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Lake onieda

Sounds like all in all you had a great time. Oneida can get very very rough in short order I might add.

MDN, can I pick your brain about lake Owasco? Are you very familiar with it. I am wondering if the lakes features are similar to Oneida. Such as very clear with deep dense weedbeds, and a very shallow shoreline making it very difficult to get in tight. Those were some of things that frustrated me on Oneida. I could not find chunk rock, or steep banks without weeds. I am wondering if Owasco can provide some structure that is weed free and rocky/gravely in less that 25 feet of water?

Thanks Bill

 

[rndn]

Re: Lake onieda

I haven't fished Owasco personally, but I do have some information on it from a source.The north end of Owasco averages about 25 feet deep with a rock and gravel bottom switching to a sandy bottom as you get more shallow. The south end is mostly clay and muck bottom so don't bother. I was told there is good bass fishing north and south of Burtis point on the eastern shoreline trolling with stick baits. Trout can be has along the dropoff along the middle portion of the western shore. Owasco Lake also has a good quantity of walleye that were stocked originally but now show signs of natural reporduction. Walleye can be had by working the sandy and gravel flats along the northern end. One important item is that the north end has a state park that in years past has been closed to swimming due to high coliform counts, but I'm told that was from deer, raccoon, and goose feces. I'm told it is much cleaner than it has been in the past but I don't know this first hand so maybe someone else here knows updated information. My source also informs me that Owasco Lake is a serious weekend getaway for a lot of boaters so plan to fish during the week or early mornings or later in the evenings on weekends. Feel free to PM me if you would like additional information and I'll try to be of assistance.
Randy