A new boat launch has been completed on the Barge Canal at Cove Road in the town of Verona, Oneida County. The launch, which is expected to enhance fishing and boating opportunities, including for people with disabilities, connects to Oneida Lake’s world-class fishing.
The launch was designed and constructed with several Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant features. It includes a two-lane, concrete launch ramp with floating docks, canoe/kayak launch, a fishing pier, a parking area with 24 car and 49 car and trailer parking spaces, including some accessible parking, and port-a-pottys.
Oneida Lake is one of New York’s most heavily fished inland waters. It’s the largest lake lying wholly within New York State, with a surface area of 50,894 acres. The lake’s waters support walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish, among other fish and wildlife species. Lake sturgeon can be found in the lake and its tributaries; however, lake sturgeon are on New York’s threatened species list and cannot be fished or possessed.
The project was funded with $1.6 million from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and NY Works. Under the State’s Adventure NY initiative, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is making investments to expand access to healthy, active outdoor recreation, connect more New Yorkers and visitors to nature and the outdoors, protect natural resources, and boost local economies.
In the FY 2024 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul maintained EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program’s history. The EPF is an important resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects.
Anglers are reminded that statewide fishing regulations apply in Oneida Lake and it is an angler’s responsibility to know when the seasons are open in their area, size, daily and possession limits, and legal methods of taking fish. For current state fishing regulations, consult the 2023 Fishing Regulations Guide or go to the freshwater fishing regulations webpage.
To enhance fishing-related tourism and help new and experienced anglers enjoy the great fishing offered throughout New York, DEC launched the ‘Tackle Box’ feature. The Tackle Box feature is available on DEC’s HuntFishNY smartphone app, (available for iOS and Android) and can provide information on Oneida Lake and nearly all other waterbodies, as well as fishing regulations, State-operated fishing access sites, stocking information, and other useful features like photos to help identify fish likely found in a certain river, lake, or stream. More information on the HuntFishNY Mobile app can be found on DEC’s website.
DEC is also reminding boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats and trailers and disinfect their fishing gear before recreating in New York’s waters to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS). All water recreationists should follow these steps to make sure their equipment isn’t harboring AIS:
- Clean mud, plants, and animals off boating and fishing equipment (trailer bunks, axles, rollers, lights, transducers, license plates, motor props, tackle, waders, etc.) and discard the material in a trash can or at a disposal station;
- Drain all water-holding compartments, including ballast tanks, live wells, and bilge areas, before leaving an access site; and
- Dry everything thoroughly before using boats or equipment in another waterbody. Drying times can vary but a minimum of five to seven days in dry, warm conditions is recommended.
- When there’s no time to dry between uses, disinfect things with hot water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or visit a decontamination site.
All New York residents and visitors have a role to play in protecting state waters from invasive species. Visit DEC’s website for more tips on how to clean, drain, and dry watercraft, fishing gear, and other equipment and for more information about New York’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program.
Photo of Cove Road boat launch courtesy DEC.
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