ONEIDA LAKE DIEHARDS THREAD...

[62 & Done]

Just sayin' Hunts, that I don't think a few weeks more or less of ice will make a profound difference in the overall size or numbers of a specific fish species. Mother nature has a much more powerful way of regulating the eco system than we do.
 Look at Lake George for instance. Many times, there have been poor ice conditions, and it seems to have little or no effect on the perch populations. A look back at past threads and you will see the same conversation requarding that lake. The locals themselves have mentioned this.
  I'm not knocking the Sacandaga, just saying the fish there could use a few more groceries.

          Best to you Hunts

[hunts2long]

62, I see more baitfish these days than back in the 70, 80 or 90's. I believe a lot has to do with the lake being kept higher during the Summer months. Plus, I caught more fish in the 20 to 24 inch class than I do now. I know fishing pressure was less back then, but I have put a lot of walleyes in the boat and these days you don't see many over 20 inches.
Never fished LG, but I perched fished Coneses a lot back in the 70's, as did "everyone" in Western NY. Then there were 3 or 4 years of poor ice and for years the perch fishing really sucked. I think they needed to be cleaned out every year so as not to over-populate...h2l

[trapper2000]

i think oneida lake is one of the heathest eco systems in the state and truth thats because the state has done a good job......probablly one of the best walleye lakes in the country  might not be trophys but healthy  relieable and  good eaters ........

[62 & Done]

hunts2long that is really great to hear about the forage. As a local kid growing up that was about the only place I could get to to fish so I as well have experienced the ups and downs. I think somewhere around 2000 I pretty much threw in the towel but as of late I have heard more reports such as yours which is great. Maybe I'll give her a try this summer. I think I remember a bunch of good structure to get after.

Trapp you hit the nail on the head. There has been a tremendous amount of field work, and studying of the system for decades and it pays off. Those college kids at the field station deserve a lot of credit too.
 Also Trapp, they can't all be trophy's but if you go to the hatchery during the run, you will see some whoppers.

[trapper2000]

come to lake ontario with me  some night  well drag j-18's and you'll learn what a whopper is..............and the best part i don't eat walleyes  i give them away  ...........i  don't like  soft fish  don't  care that much for crappies either  perch blue gills and  a  nice  brown trout work for me

[62 & Done]

Took a ride to the hatchery this morning. One of the DEC folks were just hanging about answering all kinds of questions and offering any educational info he could. I tagged along for a bit as he was very interesting. I love seeing all those beautiful fish. Lots of them in the creek today, and lined up at the dam. They said they will have all the eggs they can handle by Friday. Now is the time to go.

[BiteMe]

A quick ride to the S. Shore launch to see the Eclipse. Docks still not in and water level was low.

[Fishin-Mission]

I don't know why the lake level would be low, one gate is open at the Caughdenoy Dam and water is flowing over the rest of the gates. Must be the moon is causing a high tide at the west end of Oneida Lake.

[filetandrelease]

 It takes time to fill the lake back up
 The hatchery made a call few days back and ask that question and were told the gauges were messed up 🤪
 It was addressed in the OLA report
 

[oneida1]

dock and hoist went in the water today get the boat from storage this weekend 1st nice day and im not working that will go in. Waster is down some but going off old water line on my dock stands not much

[reeleyz]

I put the dock and boat in this past weekend. There was just enough water to get the boat on the hoist on Sunday. Yesterday the water was up quite a bit more so no issues. Took home a handful of nice perch for a couple hours on the water. Those pesky walleyes were hitting minnows too.

https://www.canals.ny.gov/waterlevels/netdata/oneida-levels.pdf

[filetandrelease]

 Good going Bruce

[reeleyz]

Thanks Fred. Not exactly on fire but enough for a meal.

[xc600]

Now that the lake is full I see a lot of debris floating. Spotted a tree this morning about 30' long just east of Lewis Point. Be alert.

[filetandrelease]

 Thanks for the report xc600