Onteora Lake is a small narrow waterbody that has great access and good fishing opportunities. The shoreline is undeveloped and has a fairly steep drop-off. Onteora lake is really popular with folks that like to kayak and have a small boat for fishing.
Physical Features:
Elevation: 423 feet
Area: 16.5 acres
Shoreline Length: 1.3 miles
Max Depth: 20 feet
County and Town: Ulster County, Town of Kingston
Access:
Universal fishing access location. Hand launch located off of Rt. 28, 4 miles North of Kingston. Parking for 10 cars. Electric motors only.
For more information on this launch including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Ulster County page.
Accessible Features
From the Onteora Lake Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:
- Fishing/viewing area;
- Picnic area; and
- Portable toilet (seasonal)
Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.
Fish Species:
Largemouth bass, bluegills, panfish.
Fishing:
Onteora Lake can provide some really good action for anglers targeting bass. The bass like to hang around the shoreline structure, especially the trees that have fallen into the lake. Try fishing a weedless jig or a weedless soft-plastic bait to pull the largemouth out of the cover. In the morning and evening hours, try top water plugs to get an aggresive fish to bite.
Bluegills are the most common panfish and provide great action for anglers using ultra-light gear. Small jigs and live bait are the best bet for catching bluegills. Ice fishing at Onteora Lake also provides anglers with opportunities to catch many panfish.