In the midst of winter, the ice-covered lakes of the Northeast seem quiet. It may, however, be a bit noisy below the ice. Winter into early spring is the spawning season for burbot, when males produce sounds to attract mates. [Read more…] about Burbot: New York’s Misunderstood Cod Cousin
Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake Boat Launch Construction Starts
Work has begun at the new boat launch on the Barge Canal at Cove Road, in the town of Verona, Oneida County. [Read more…] about Oneida Lake Boat Launch Construction Starts
2022 Oneida Lake Open Water Creel Survey Summary
Every five years researchers from Cornell University conduct full open water and ice fishing season creel surveys on Oneida Lake – the largest inland lake entirely within New York’s borders and one of the top fisheries in the state.
From May-October angling boat counts and roving angler interviews were conducted to estimate total effort and catch for the 2022 open water season. [Read more…] about 2022 Oneida Lake Open Water Creel Survey Summary
New Accessible Oneida Lake Boat Launch Construction Underway
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the start of construction of a new boat launch on the Barge Canal at Cove Road in the town of Verona, Oneida County, to enhance fishing and boating recreational opportunities.
The boat launch will connect to Oneida Lake and its world-class fishing. [Read more…] about New Accessible Oneida Lake Boat Launch Construction Underway
New York, New France: French Ambitions at Oneida Lake in 1634
When a Dutchman, Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert, traveled from Albany (then Fort Orange) to the main village of the Oneidas in the dead of winter 1634, he was on a mission to thwart the French, who had found their way to Oneida Lake.
In the struggle for influence in Iroquoia, there was no time to lose. The Dutch had a firm hold on the Hudson Valley at this point and a profitable relationship with the Mohawk, but New Netherland’s trade was threatened by New France, which controlled the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic. [Read more…] about New York, New France: French Ambitions at Oneida Lake in 1634
A Canal Gunpowder Blast: The Day Verona Beach’s Waterfront Was Razed
The Oneida County resorts of Sylvan and Verona Beach are located on the sandy eastern shore of Oneida Lake. This twenty-two mile lake, and its geographic orientation, affords this setting spectacular sunsets. These factors made the eastern shore a desirable vacation destination in the nineteenth century, and a thriving resort community developed along Wood Creek.
Originally, Wood Creek had been improved in the late eighteenth century by the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company as part of that private entity’s effort to link the Mohawk River to Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about A Canal Gunpowder Blast: The Day Verona Beach’s Waterfront Was Razed
DEC Plans Daily Limit Increase for Walleye on Oneida Lake
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released proposed regulations to increase the daily possession limit of walleye in Oneida Lake from three fish per day to five. [Read more…] about DEC Plans Daily Limit Increase for Walleye on Oneida Lake
General Peter Gansevoort’s Map
A sculpture of Brigadier General Peter Gansevoort stands in a city park named in his honor at Rome, Oneida County, NY. This bronze, dedicated November 8, 1906, was created by Emilio F. Piatti. It presents the General in dress uniform grasping his sword and holding what is perhaps one of the most impactful tools (or weapons) ever devised – an accurate map. [Read more…] about General Peter Gansevoort’s Map
6 Foot Lake Sturgeon Found In Oneida Lake
DEC staff and partners around the state are out sampling to continue measuring recovery of Lake Sturgeon. Scientists at Cornell University’s Biological Field Station at Shackleton Point recently captured an impressive 159 pound, 6 footer from Oneida Lake – the largest sturgeon documented from the lake to date. [Read more…] about 6 Foot Lake Sturgeon Found In Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake’s Historic Cleveland Dock Project Complete
Rehabilitation of the historic Cleveland Dock Fishing Access Site on Oneida Lake is complete and the site is now open to the public.
Located at 69 State Route 49 in the village of Cleveland, Oswego County, the dock provides access for fishing and draws visitors for open water fishing, ice fishing, and boat docking. The site also provides emergency services access and helps connect boaters to the New York State Canal system. [Read more…] about Oneida Lake’s Historic Cleveland Dock Project Complete