Oneida Lake
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Oneida Lake Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Oneida Lake . Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureHumpsFound several nice smallies on the top of humps at Shackleton Shoals - the biggest over 5lbs. The fish were not incredibly active, so a lift and drop alternated with a slow retrieve was most effective at enticing bites. Depths of 6-11' were most effective, especially where rocks were present.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueFinesse JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureRock PileStarted out the day on shallow flats in 4-6ft of water with swimbaits looking for prespawners feeding up like we had found them the past few weeks. Found a few fish that way, but had our best success in about 9ft of water around rock. slowly working jigs and a ned rig. Not a ton of bass (8 total) but the right ones. Finished the day with a 20.1lb bag for the best 5 with everything over 3.2lbs.. After the sun came up we saw at least 15 fish on beds, but that is not my deal so we moved on.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructurePoints
My first time fishing on Oneida, found smallmouth on rocky points in 5-10 ft.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureBouldersSlow rolling the small swimbait with an occasional twitch was triggering some bites. As the water continues to warm the reaction bite improves but they still seem to prefer it slow and ticking or hopping bottom. Still wouldn't consider it full on pre-spawn feed but as the water warmed in the day more and more fish move up. The time is almost here to get out there for some memorable slugfests. I think first weekend in May is going to be awesome.
Species
Chain PickerelTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureSubmerged VegetationUsing a slow steady retrieve over earlier growing vegetation, pickerel were chasing almost every retrieve. Slight hesitations and quick pops and pauses could typically induce bites.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureRock PileWe found numerous smallies in rocky shallows near points (3-8') on the west end by hopping swimbaits along the bottom. Fish were also caught on a slow steady retrieve, and using a slow lift/drop cadence. Holding close to the bottom was difficult, but necessary as the wind grew over the course of the day, so the 3/4 oz was favorable to the 1/2 oz today.
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLaydownsBurning a squarebill up shallow and over any wood/brush you can find has been producing good numbers and size. They seem to be hitting it on the pause when I either kill the retrieve or when I pause after it deflects. Sometimes they pin it right to the wood so be prepared for that.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueStructure JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLaydowns
On this particular day they were up super super shallow tucked into undercut banks in the wood. I would fish the swim jig with a sweeping motion as if I was dragging a football jig excessively fast. Sometimes they would short strike the swimjig or just flash and show themselves which is when I’d follow up with the jig. In the same area, if I had clouds and wind, a squarebill and a spinnerbait would be the deal.
