With Oneida Lake at its center, Central New York is certainly a top ice fishing destination. While Oneida is the most well-known lake in the area, there are dozens of other waters to satisfy almost anyone’s personal ice-fishing desires. There are plenty of opportunities from the Finger Lakes to the numerous small ponds on DEC’s State Forest and Wildlife Management Areas. The smaller lakes in Madison County are often the first waters in the area to have safe ice due to their elevation. Grab your gear and make it a day on the ice in Region 7!
Ice Fishing in Region 7 (Central New York)
Site Access During Winter: Some parking areas, roads, and trails may not be maintained through winter. For the most up to date access information, contact the Region 7 Fisheries Office.
Ice Safety: When deciding if ice is safe, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Before venturing out, review DEC’s Ice Safety Guidelines.
Fishing Regulations: Be sure to check the Statewide Fishing Regulations and the Special Fishing Regulations that may apply in the water or county you are fishing.
Places to Go (by County)
Broome || Cayuga || Chenango || Cortland || Madison || Onondaga || Oswego || Tioga || Tompkins
Broome County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic Lake | Sanford | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker | Located in Oquaga Creek State Park off County Route 20, access from beach parking | |
| Greenwood Lake | Nanticoke | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed | Located in Greenwood County Park off County Route 9 | No |
| Nanticoke Lake | Lisle | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed | Parking at Nanticoke Lake Multiple Use Area off Squedunk Road, roughly ¼ mile walk to lake | No |
| Whitney Point Reservoir | Triangle | Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Channel Catfish | Parking available at Dorchester Park off State Route 26 or Upper Lisle Boat Launch on the north end | |
| Nathaniel Cole Park Pond | Colesville | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Rock Bass | Located in Nathaniel Cole County Park off County Rd 52 |
Cayuga County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuga Lake | Aurelius, Springport, Ledyard, Genoa | Lake Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Brown Bullhead | Most ice fishing takes place on north end. Limited ice fishing at south end. Parking at the DEC Mud Lock Boat Launch at the north end. | |
| Owasco Lake | Moravia, Scipio, Fleming, Owasco, Niles | Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, White Sucker, Longnose Sucker, Golden Shiner, Rainbow Smelt, Alewife | Ice fishing mainly at north and south ends. Roadside parking near Emerson Park at the north end. | |
| Skaneateles Lake | Niles, Scott, Sempronius, Skaneateles and Spafford | Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Cisco, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead | Ice fishing mainly at north and south ends. Note that the DEC Boat Launch parking lot on Route 41A is not open during the winter | |
| Little Sodus Bay | Sterling | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Bowfin, Longnose Gar, Brown Bullhead, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout | Parking available at Fair Haven Beach State Park, or in the village lots on King Street and Cottage Street off Route 104A |
Chenango County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balsam Pond | Pharsalia, McDonough | Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch on Balsam Tyler Road off County Route 7 | |
| Chenango Lake | New Berlin | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Tiger Muskellunge, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Roadside parking pull-off on the south end of lake off West Shore Road | |
| Hunts Pond | New Berlin | Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Located in Hunts Pond State Forest off Route 8 | No |
| Jackson Pond | Pharsalia | Sunfish | Located in Pharsalia Wildlife Management Area | No |
| Long Pond | Smithville | Chain Pickerel, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Yellow Perch | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch off Route 41 | |
| Round Pond | Smithville | Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill | Located in Long Pond State Forest, park along road on Round Pond Road | |
| Guilford Lake | Guilford | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Fishing Access Site near the lake outlet along County Route 35 | |
| Mill Brook Reservoir | New Berlin | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at Mill Brook Recreation Area off County Route 29, 2 miles west of New Berlin |
Cortland County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casterline Pond | Homer | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill | Parking available at the DEC Fishing Access Site off Route 11 | |
| Little York Lake | Preble, Homer | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking at Dwyer Memorial County Park off Route 281 | |
| Tri-County Pond | Harford, Caroline | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead | Semi-remote pond located at the intersection of Cortland, Tioga, and Tompkins County lines. Parking area off Lacey Road at Robinson Hollow State Forest. | No |
| Skaneateles Lake | Scott | Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Brown Bullhead | Ice fishing mainly at north and south ends. Note that the DEC Boat Launch parking lot on Route 41A is not open during the winter. | |
| Papish Pond | Cincinnatus | Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Roadside parking off Beach Road, six miles southwest of the Village of Cincinnatus | No |
| Tully Lake | Preble | Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Redbreast Sunfish, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch, 2.5 miles south of Tully |
Madison County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cazenovia Lake | Cazenovia | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Walleye, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | McNitt State Park or at DOT parking area on Route 20 | |
| Eaton Brook Reservoir | Nelson | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available off Eatonbrook Road at the DEC Boat Launch and at the causeway | |
| Lebanon Reservoir | Lebanon | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch on Reservoir Road | |
| Leland Ponds | Eaton | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Tiger Muskellunge, Brown Trout, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch on Upper Leland, off Route 26 | |
| Oneida Lake | Lenox, Sullivan | Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bowfin, Burbot, Longnose Gar | Parking available at Chapman and Oneida Shores Parks, Lewis Point Cooperative Site, and South Shore and Godfrey Point DEC Boat Launch Sites | |
| Lake Moraine (Madison Reservoir) | Madison | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Tiger Muskellunge, Walleye, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch on East Lake Road causeway | |
| Tuscarora Lake (Erieville Reservoir) | Nelson | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Informal roadside parking at the north end, and south end off from Tuscarora Road | |
| Stoney Pond | Nelson | Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill | Located in State Forest land near Eaton Brook Reservoir |
Onondaga County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamesville Reservoir | Lafayette | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Tiger Muskellunge, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Brown Bullhead | Onondaga County Park off Route 91 | |
| Oneida Lake | Cicero | Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Freshwater Drum, Common Carp, Bowfin, Burbot, Longnose Gar | Parking available at Chapman and Oneida Shores Parks, Lewis Point Cooperative Site, and South Shore and Godfrey Point DEC Boat Launch Sites | |
| Otisco Lake | Spafford, Otisco | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Tiger Muskellunge, Brown Trout, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Channel Catfish, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead | Most ice fishing takes place on north end of the lake. Roadside parking. | |
| Skaneateles Lake | Spafford, Skaneateles | Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Cisco, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Brown Bullhead | Ice fishing mainly at north and south ends. Note that the DEC Boat Launch parking lot on Route 41A is not open during the winter. | |
| Tully Lake | Preble | Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Redbreast Sunfish, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch off Friendly Shores Road |
Oswego County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Pond | Williamstown | Sunfish | Located in Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area on Britton Road | No |
| Lake Neatahwanta | Fulton | Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Bowfin | Parking available at city owned boat launch site, west out of Fulton on County Road 3 | |
| St. Mary's Pond | Parish | Sunfish | Located in Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area off St Mary’s Road | No |
| Whitney Pond | Albion, Parish | Sunfish | Located in Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area off Happy Valley Road | No |
| North and South Sandy Ponds | Sandy Creek | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Bowfin, Longnose Gar, Brown Bullhead, Rainbow Trout | Parking available at the North Sandy Pond DEC Boat Launch on Doreen Dr. off Route 3 | |
| Oneida Lake | West Monroe, Constantia | Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Freshwater Drum, Common Carp, Bowfin, Burbot, Longnose Gar | Parking available at Chapman and Oneida Shores Parks, Lewis Point Cooperative Site, and South Shore and Godfrey Point DEC Boat Launch Sites | |
| Redfield Reservoir | Orwell, Redfield | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the DEC Boat Launch in Redfield on Route 17 |
Tioga County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Lake | Newark Valley | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed | Semi-remote pond owned by Newark Valley Central Schools Park off Barber Road, open dawn to dusk | |
| Oakley Corners Pond | Owego | Largemouth Bass, Tiger Muskellunge, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead | On Hullsville Road in Oakley Corners State Forest | No |
| Tri-County Pond | Harford, Caroline | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead | Semi remote pond located at the intersection of Cortland, Tioga, and Tompkins County lines on Lacey Road in Robinson Hollow State Forest. | No |
Tompkins County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuga Lake | Ithaca, Ulysses, Lansing | Lake Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Brown Bullhead, Longnose Gar | Most ice fishing takes place on north end, with limited ice fishing on south end. Parking available at the DEC Mud Lock Boat Launch at the north end | |
| Dryden Lake | Dryden | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead | Parking available at the Town Park off West Lake Road | |
| Jennings Pond | Danby | Chain Pickerel | Parking at Jennings Pond Park off Danby Road | No |
| Tri-County Pond | Harford, Caroline | Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead | Semi-remote pond located at the intersection of Cortland, Tioga, and Tompkins County lines on Lacey Road in Robinson Hollow State Forest | No |