Seneca Lake Fishing: The Yellow Gold of the Finger Lakes
Seneca Lake, often referred to as the Lake Trout Capital of the World, is also a hotspot for perch anglers, particularly those targeting the large yellow perch that call it home. Known for its exceptionally large perch, some of which can weigh two to three pounds, Seneca Lake provides anglers with a unique opportunity to reel in what are considered “jack” or “elephant” perch. These larger-than-usual fish are highly prized by anglers and are a major draw for those fishing the Finger Lakes.
Why Are the Perch in Seneca Lake So Large?
Brad Hammers, an Aquatic Biologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Fisheries, points to three primary factors that contribute to the larger yellow perch found in Seneca Lake:
- Size of the Lake: Seneca Lake is not only the largest of the Finger Lakes but also one of the deepest. At 38 miles long and three miles wide at its widest point, the lake’s size allows for a diverse range of habitats. With an average depth of 300 feet and a maximum depth of 681 feet, the lake supports a rich ecosystem for fish of all sizes.
- Excellent Food Source: The lake’s nutrient-rich waters provide an abundant food supply for yellow perch. These perch feed on a variety of organisms, including aquatic insects, crayfish, and fish, which contribute to their larger size. However, one of the most significant food sources for the yellow perch in Seneca Lake is the scud, also known as side swimmers. These bottom-dwelling crustaceans are plentiful in the lake’s weed beds and are a key factor in the large size of the perch population.
- Difficulty of Catching Yellow Perch: While the perch in Seneca Lake grow to impressive sizes, they can be difficult to catch, adding to the challenge and allure for anglers. The difficulty of fishing for these larger perch means that only those who put in the time and effort can land the big ones, making it all the more rewarding when they do.
The Role of Scuds in the Growth of Perch
One of the primary food sources for yellow perch in Seneca Lake is the scud, a small but vital crustacean. Scuds are often found in the lake’s weed beds, where they thrive on decaying plant and animal matter. These bottom-dwelling creatures, ranging from 5 to 20 millimeters in length, have a distinctive comma-shaped body and seven pairs of legs, making them easily identifiable.
Scuds are a favorite food for many fish species, and their abundance in Seneca Lake provides yellow perch with a rich, consistent source of nutrition. According to Hammers, the weed beds of the lake are “loaded with scuds,” and their presence plays a crucial role in supporting the healthy growth of the perch population. By feeding on these small crustaceans, yellow perch are able to grow larger and faster than in other lakes, making Seneca Lake a prime location for catching trophy-sized perch.
A Premier Location for Perch Anglers
Seneca Lake’s unique combination of size, food sources, and habitat conditions has made it a premier destination for perch fishing, especially for those seeking large yellow perch. While the lake’s depth and wealth of food make it an ideal home for these fish, the difficulty of catching them adds an element of excitement for anglers. Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or a novice eager to experience the thrill of catching a giant perch, Seneca Lake offers an unforgettable adventure.
Some Seneca Lake Fishing Tips
Seneca Lake offers excellent opportunities for yellow perch fishing, but it’s not always as straightforward as other lakes. These perch can be finicky and unpredictable, and catching them requires patience, persistence, and adaptability. Below are some tips to help you improve your chances of landing the coveted “elephant” perch on Seneca Lake.
1. Be Prepared for Unpredictability
Seneca Lake’s yellow perch are not as easy to catch as in some other waters. While they are generally known for being accessible to beginners, the perch here can be highly selective. You might drift over large schools of perch without getting a single bite, or you might be catching them one after the other, only to have the action suddenly stop. This unpredictability is part of what makes fishing for them challenging and exciting.
2. Experiment with Bait
One of the key challenges of perch fishing in Seneca Lake is that what works one day may not work the next. You could catch several perch using minnows, and then the bite completely shuts off. The next day, worms, spikes, or bucktail jigs could be the best option. It’s important to bring a variety of bait types to increase your chances of success. Be ready to adapt to changing conditions and switch baits when you sense the action is slowing down.
3. Pay Attention to Weather Changes
Seneca Lake’s yellow perch can be particularly sensitive to weather conditions. A change in the weather can turn the bite on or off. For example, an overcast sky might produce good fishing conditions, but as soon as the clouds clear and the sun shines down, the perch could stop biting. Calm waters can also negatively affect the bite, so keep an eye on the forecast and adjust your tactics accordingly.
4. Avoid Disturbing the School
Yellow perch in Seneca Lake are known for being skittish, which means they are easily spooked. When you locate a school of perch, it’s crucial not to disturb them. Even the sound of an outboard motor running nearby can cause the school to scatter. To minimize disturbance, many anglers will avoid using their electric trolling motors to power over the school. Instead, they position their boats upwind of the school and drift over them naturally.
In some cases, anglers go to the extreme of turning off all electronics once they’ve located a school of perch. This eliminates any noise that might alert the fish and increases the likelihood of successful fishing.
5. Patience is Key
Sometimes, patience is your best ally when fishing for yellow perch in Seneca Lake. As mentioned, the perch can be fickle, and you may need to spend time finding the right bait, technique, and conditions to get them to bite. If the fish aren’t biting in one area, don’t be afraid to move around and try different spots on the lake. Stay patient and don’t get discouraged if the bite slows down—keep experimenting until you find the right combination.
When and Where Do You Catch Seneca Lake Perch?
Seneca Lake is a premier spot for yellow perch fishing in New York, offering productive fishing opportunities from after Labor Day through late May. The key to a successful trip is understanding where to fish and when the perch are most active. Below are the best times, spots, and techniques to catch yellow perch in Seneca Lake.
Best Time to Fish for Perch
The prime fishing season for yellow perch begins after Labor Day and extends into late spring, typically until the end of May. During this time, the perch are more actively feeding and moving into shallow waters, making them easier to catch. The north end of the lake is usually the first location where perch fishing heats up as the cooler fall temperatures encourage the fish to feed.
Where to Fish for Perch on Seneca Lake
Yellow perch can be found throughout Seneca Lake, but there are specific hotspots where anglers tend to focus. These locations offer the best chances for finding feeding schools of perch.
- North End of the Lake: As mentioned, the perch bite begins in the northern portion of Seneca Lake after Labor Day. This is typically the first area where anglers concentrate their efforts.
- Glass Factory Bay and Kashong Point: These areas on the northwest portion of the lake are known to have active schools of perch, especially during the fall and early winter months.
- Sampson State Park to Reeder’s Creek: The stretch of the lake between Sampson State Park and Reeder’s Creek on the east side is another prime area for perch fishing.
- Dresden (West Shore): Located on the west shore across from Sampson State Park, Dresden is a favorite perch fishing spot.
- Lodi Point and Severne Point: On the east and west sides of the lake, fishing off Lodi Point and Severne Point is another productive option for perch anglers. Boats are often anchored in these areas, signaling the presence of perch.
- Shore Fishing: For those without boats, Sampson State Park marina and the fishing pier at Watkins Glen offer shore access to good perch fishing.
Locating Perch Schools
To successfully locate schools of perch, some anglers choose to fish near other boats that are already catching fish. This can be a good strategy if you see boats anchored or drifting in an area that seems productive. However, if you’re striking out on your own, it’s crucial to use electronics (such as sonar or fish finders) to locate schools of perch. Once you’ve located a school, you can begin your fishing strategy.
Drifting vs. Anchoring
Once you’ve found a school of perch, you have two primary options:
- Drift-Fishing: If the perch are feeding actively, some anglers prefer to drift fish through the school rather than anchor. Drifting allows you to cover a wider area, and if the school is large and active, this technique can yield good results.
- Anchoring: If the perch bite is concentrated in a particular spot, it may be worth anchoring to fish more effectively. However, when dropping anchor, it’s crucial to do so slowly and quietly. A sudden splash or noise can easily scare away the fish, ending the bite. If you anchor carefully and the perch are feeding, you can often catch several fish in the same spot.
Additional Tips for Perch Fishing
Look for Active Schools: Perch tend to school together, so when you find one, you’re likely to find many. Locating a feeding school can lead to quick success.
Be Adaptable: As the season progresses from fall to spring, perch may shift their feeding patterns. Stay flexible with your bait choices and fishing techniques.
By following these tips and focusing on the right areas at the right time, you’ll increase your chances of a successful perch fishing trip on Seneca Lake. Whether you’re drifting with a boat or fishing from shore, the lake offers some of the best perch fishing opportunities in the Finger Lakes region.
Bait and Tackle to Catch Yellow Perch
When fishing for yellow perch on Seneca Lake, choosing the right tackle and bait is crucial for success. Though the perch in Seneca Lake can grow to impressive sizes, their bite can be surprisingly light, making them challenging to catch. Below are the recommended tackle setups and bait options to help you land these elusive fish.
Tackle Setup
For perch fishing in Seneca Lake, ultra-light to light tackle is recommended, with four to six-pound test line. While yellow perch can be large, they are notorious for being bait thieves, often nibbling gently on your offering without getting hooked. A sensitive rod and light line are essential for detecting those subtle bites.
The most common rig used for perch fishing consists of:
- Two #6 hooks: These hooks are ideal for catching yellow perch.
- Three-eighths to half-ounce sinker: This weight is needed to keep your bait on the bottom where the perch feed.
To set up your rig, tie the sinker to the bottom of the line. The first hook should be positioned 12 to 18 inches above the sinker, depending on the depth of the weeds you’re fishing in. A second hook is placed 12 to 14 inches above the first one. Both hooks should be baited with fathead minnows, which are the primary bait for Seneca Lake yellow perch.
Fishing Techniques
Whether you’re anchored or drift-fishing, anglers often use one of two primary techniques when fishing for perch:
- Straight Drop: Drop your rig straight down below the boat to fish directly in the water column. This method works well in areas where you know perch are feeding close to the bottom.
- Toss and Bounce: For a more active approach, cast your line several feet from the boat and bounce it off the lake bottom with a slow retrieve. This technique mimics the movement of prey and can trigger perch to bite.
In areas with heavy weed growth or submerged snags, anglers often use a slip bobber to suspend the bait one to two feet above the bottom. The slip bobber rig is also effective when fishing from docks, piers, or breakwalls.
Alternative Bait and Lures
While fathead minnows are the go-to bait for yellow perch, there are days when they may not bite on minnows but will readily take other offerings. It’s a good idea to bring a variety of alternative baits and lures to increase your chances of success:
- Worms, spikes, and oak leaf grubs: These can be used in place of minnows on some days when the perch are less interested in live fish.
- Small bucktail jigs: These can also be effective in attracting perch, especially when tipped with a minnow or piece of nightcrawler.
- Small jigs, yellow perch lures, grubs, and spinners: These can be fished slowly just off the bottom to entice perch. Again, tipping these lures with a piece of bait can make them even more irresistible.
Bait Shops Closest to Awesome Seneca Lake Fishing
If you’re planning a fishing trip to Seneca Lake, it’s important to know where you can pick up live bait. Currently, there are only a few bait shops in the area, so it’s recommended to contact them ahead of time to ensure they have the bait you need. If you’re traveling a long distance, it might be more convenient to purchase your bait locally before heading to Seneca Lake.
Here are the closest bait shops around Seneca Lake:
- Roy’s Marina
Located just south of the City of Geneva off Route 14 at 4398 Clark Road. This marina provides various bait options and is a popular choice for anglers.
Phone: 315-789-3094 - Mar Jon Bait Shop
Situated at 335 Routes 5 and 20 in Waterloo on the north end of Seneca Lake, Mar Jon Bait Shop offers bait during the warmer months. Please note that they do not carry minnows during the winter season but may have spikes, worms, and grubs available.
Phone: 315-789-3445 - Brewer’s Sporting Goods
Located on Main Street in the Village of Ovid, Brewer’s Sporting Goods is halfway between Geneva and Watkins Glen, on the east side of the lake. They provide a variety of fishing gear and bait for anglers.
Phone: 607-869-5890
If these bait shops are not convenient for you, there are two additional options, although they are further from Seneca Lake:
- Bear’s Bait and Tackle (Southeast of Seneca Lake)
Located at 29 Hector Street in the Village of Trumansburg. This shop offers a selection of bait and tackle for your fishing needs.
Phone: 607-387-5576 - Bearwood Bait and Tackle (Northeast of Seneca Lake)
Situated at 695 Crow Hill Road in Skaneateles, this shop is a bit farther from Seneca Lake but may be helpful if you’re coming from the north or east.
Phone: 315-685-7243
Make sure to call ahead and check the availability of bait before you embark on your fishing trip to ensure a smooth and successful outing.
Boat Launch Sites on Seneca Lake
Original Article By Wayne Brewer
About The Author
Wayne Brewer was an avid outdoorsman. At one point he was the Director of Law Enforcement for the NYS DEC. He was the author of a fish and game cookbook Enjoying Nature’s Bounty and a freelance writer for several publications. Waybe Brewer passed away in 2019.
