Best Lake Ontario Walleye Fishing Spots
In recent years, anglers pursuing trophy walleye in the eastern basin of Lake Ontario have learned invaluable lessons on the best techniques and equipment to use. As walleye fishing continues to grow in popularity, one common question remains: Where are the best spots to catch walleye on Lake Ontario, NY? The answer lies in the Golden Crescent, a stretch of the lake known for its productive fishing grounds and trophy-size walleye. To help you plan your next fishing adventure, here is a comprehensive guide to some of the most successful locations on the lake.
The Importance of Maps and GPS for Walleye Fishing
Navigating the waters of Lake Ontario can be tricky, especially when trying to locate the prime walleye fishing zones. The lake is home to numerous shoals, reefs, and deep pockets, which makes it essential to maintain a constant awareness of your location. One of the best tools to ensure a successful fishing trip is a good map, which will help you pinpoint the areas that hold the best walleye populations.
However, maps alone are not enough. Using a GPS device, such as those offered by Lowrance, can significantly improve your fishing experience. With a GPS, you can precisely track your position on the water, allowing you to effectively target productive spots without getting lost. This is particularly useful when you’re using equipment like planer boards, in-line planers, or downriggers to target walleye at different depths. GPS technology lets you stay on course, making it easier to focus on the fishing itself while ensuring you’re always in the right place at the right time.
Seasonal Patterns and Location Choices
Walleye in Lake Ontario are often found in specific locations depending on the season. During the warmer months, walleye tend to move deeper in search of cooler water and food sources, while in the spring and fall, they may come closer to shore to spawn or feed. Understanding these seasonal movements and how they correlate with different areas of the lake will give you a significant advantage.
For example, in the spring, walleye are often found in the shallow bays and tributaries, where they spawn in the warmer waters. As the weather warms up, they migrate to deeper regions, where cooler temperatures and abundant prey are more favorable. This makes it crucial to adjust your fishing strategies accordingly, ensuring that you are fishing in the areas where walleye are most likely to be.
Equipment and Techniques for Walleye Fishing
While having the right location is key to catching trophy walleye, using the right equipment is equally important. Fishing with the proper tackle, rigs, and lures can make the difference between a successful day on the water and a frustrating one. When targeting walleye, anglers typically use a variety of techniques, including trolling with planer boards, drifting with jigs, and casting with soft plastics or crankbaits.
Trolling is a particularly effective method for walleye fishing, especially when fishing with planer boards or downriggers to get your bait to the right depth. During the summer months, when walleye are often deeper in the water column, using downriggers to present your lures at the appropriate depth can be the key to success. For anglers who prefer to fish closer to the bottom, jigs and soft plastics are ideal, as they can mimic the baitfish walleye are feeding on.
Crankbaits are another great option when trolling or casting, as they allow you to cover large areas of water quickly. Depending on the depth of the water and the walleye’s location, you may need to adjust the size, color, and action of your crankbaits to match the local forage.
Why Local Knowledge and Experience Matter
While general fishing knowledge can take you far, tapping into local expertise is essential when fishing in a complex environment like Lake Ontario. Anglers who are familiar with the lake’s conditions and seasonal changes can offer insights that significantly improve your chances of success. Many local charter services and fishing guides provide valuable information on where and when to fish, as well as what techniques and lures are most effective at any given time.
Additionally, local fishing communities and forums can be great resources for up-to-date information on fishing hotspots and current water conditions. By connecting with fellow anglers, you can gain knowledge of recently productive areas, tips on navigating difficult sections of the lake, and recommendations for the best bait and tackle for walleye in Lake Ontario.
Anglers have Great Success on the Oswego River
For anglers pursuing trophy walleye on Lake Ontario, finding the right fishing locations is essential. In the Golden Crescent, a stretch of the eastern basin of the lake, there are several prime spots where walleye thrive. Some of the best fishing experiences come from exploring the following areas, known for their high walleye populations and productive fishing conditions.
Oswego River: Prime Night Fishing
The Oswego River, located in Oswego, NY, offers excellent walleye fishing opportunities, particularly at night. This river, running from the Salmon River to Sandy Pond and further north to Stony Creek, is typically known as a brown trout fishery, but it also produces significant numbers of walleye. Hot spots include areas around Colwell Pond, North and South Sandy Creeks, and Drowned Island. These spots are renowned for producing high numbers of walleye, especially during the night when the fish are most active.
Stony Point is a Great Fishing Spot
Stony Point is another hotspot, particularly for those looking for larger walleye in the 8-13 pound class. The inner wall of Stony Point, which plunges to depths of 50-160 feet, often holds substantial amounts of baitfish. These bait schools attract larger walleye looking for an easy meal. For anglers looking to access this area, the state launch at Stony Creek provides a convenient access point. With its steep drop-offs and abundant baitfish, this location can offer fantastic walleye fishing.
Henderson Harbor, NY
Heading north to Henderson Harbor, you’ll find some excellent fishing action around Association Island, Six Town Point, Lime Barrel Shoal, and Gull, Bass, and Horse Islands. This area is known for its rapidly changing shoals, so paying attention to your maps is essential. The belly in the middle of Henderson Bay, which ranges from 30-35 feet deep, is particularly productive, and using deep-diving baits here can yield great results. The Henderson Harbor town launch, Wescott’s Beach State Park, and the town launch in Sackets Harbor are great access points for this area.
Henderson Harbor is also known for being a stop on the Cabela’s Master Walleye Circuit, with MWC Director Kristine Hautman noting the incredible number of 8-14 pound walleye that frequent the waters here. This area is highly regarded among local anglers and tournament fishermen alike.
Black River Bay
One of the most well-known fishing areas on Lake Ontario is Black River Bay. This location is so productive that even if you randomly choose a spot to fish, you’re likely to find walleye. The bay features both deep 30-60 foot areas in the middle and shallow shoreline waters of 8-20 feet, giving anglers multiple fishing options. A key factor to keep in mind when fishing Black River Bay is water temperature, which can vary significantly across different parts of the bay. For instance, the water on the Sackets Harbor side can be as low as 45°F, while the Pillar Point side may warm up to 58°F due to the flow of water. This temperature variation can influence where the walleye are located, so it’s important to experiment with different depths until you find the fish.
Pillar Point
As you round the head of Pillar Point heading north, there are several reliable fishing spots to target. Local anglers consistently find success around Everleigh Point, Bull Rock Point, Sherwin’s Bay, and Reed’s Bay. These areas offer both deep-water and shallow-water fishing opportunities, making them versatile for all fishing styles. For access, the best launch points are the town boat launch next to B&J Bait Shop in Dexter and the town launch in Sackets Harbor. These locations provide easy access to some of the best walleye fishing in the region.
Trophy Walleye Love Chaumont Bay
As you head north into Chaumont Bay, you’ll enter the largest freshwater bay in the United States, flanked by Point Peninsula to the left and Pillar Point to the right. Along the east shoreline of the bay, Guffin’s Bay stands out as a prime spot for trophy walleye. Anglers have had significant success near key areas such as Adams Cove, Guffin Creek, Crab Island, and Cherry Island, which are known for producing large walleye. A great access point for these fishing spots is Guffin Bay Resort, which offers convenient facilities for anglers.
Deep Water is an Anglers Paradise
When fishing in Chaumont Bay, anglers often find the most success in deeper waters. Several productive spots within the bay include Chaumont River, Johnson Shoal, Herrick Shoal, and Three Mile Point. It’s essential to rely on detailed maps for navigation, as the bay can have rapid depth changes and numerous underwater features. One particularly productive area is Three Mile Bay, where the Carrying Place and Isthmus create natural channels that attract walleye. As the bay stretches toward Long Point State Park, the deeper belly of the bay is known for producing big fish, making it a hotspot for those seeking trophy-sized walleye.
Shangri-la
A consistent area for walleye in the spring months, especially in May and June, is the deep-water belly located between Pillar Point and Point Peninsula, directly in front of Shangri-la. This area is known for its excellent trophy walleye fishing, as the fish are often drawn to the cooler, deeper waters. Another notable spot is Middle Shoal, located southwest of Chaumont. Anglers will also want to keep an eye on the green buoy off Point Peninsula. While fishing here can be hit-or-miss, it can be incredibly rewarding when the fish are active in the area. Spending some time to scout this location can yield impressive results for those targeting large walleye.
Fox and Grenadier Island Fishing
Fishing for trophy walleye in Lake Ontario’s eastern basin, also known as the Golden Crescent, offers some of the best opportunities for anglers seeking big fish. However, it’s important to understand that this is a quality fishery, not one that rewards quantity. While the area is home to numerous walleye hotspots, the focus is on landing those prized trophy fish, which can be a bit more elusive.
Trophy walleye are often nomadic, meaning they don’t stay in one place for long and tend to move frequently as the season progresses. This behavior can make fishing for them frustrating at times, as the bite can go from incredibly active to slow for several days. Anglers who are determined to land a big fish must be patient and prepared for these fluctuations. The fish are there, but persistence and adaptability are key to success.
Quality Over Quantity
When looking for hot spots to fish trophy walleye in the eastern basin (Golden Crescent) there are many to choose from. Over the season most anglers find out it is not a numbers fishery – it is a trophy fishery! Trophy walleye can be a frustrating fish to pursue since they are nomads and move frequently as the season progresses. Sometimes it can be unbelievably good for a few days than very slow for a few days.
Trying to Catch Walleye in Central New York is an Adventure
The thrill of trophy walleye fishing in the Golden Crescent is an adventure in itself. With so many different areas to explore, every fishing day brings the potential for discovery. Many anglers, especially those new to the area, seek guidance from experienced locals and are eager to learn about the best fishing spots, techniques, and bait to use. This region has a rich variety of hotspots, and part of the fun is experimenting with different locations to see where the fish are biting.
For newcomers to the area or anyone seeking a fresh experience, trying different fishing spots can lead to exciting new opportunities and memorable catches. It’s not just about the numbers, but about the pursuit and the enjoyment of the journey. And, of course, remember that fishing is a great activity to share with others – so take a kid fishing and pass on the passion for the outdoors.
Good luck on your adventure, and keep casting!
Original Article By Captain Bob Dick
About The Author
Captain Bob Dick owns and operates Moby Dick Charters out of Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario. Captain Bob specializes in sport fishing for trophy walleye, browns, lake trout, king salmon, northern pike and smallmouth bass. He has lived and fished the eastern end of Lake Ontario and tributaries his entire life and is a member of the NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association.
