Which lake?

[zelmo]

I am thinking of a trip to the Finger Lakes region this fall. Two lakes I am looking at are Oneida and Cayuga. Any reason to pick one or the other? Any others to consider?

[KandKKustomz]

oneida is not a finger lake, I guess you could consider it "in" the finger lakes region however...both are good If I had to pick one it would be Cayuga. Fall smallmouth fishing can be lights out on Oneida though...

[zelmo]

oneida is not a finger lake, I guess you could consider it "in" the finger lakes region however...both are good If I had to pick one it would be Cayuga. Fall smallmouth fishing can be lights out on Oneida though...

Got it. I guess I should have just said upstate NY. I had heard about the fall SM fishing on Oneida which is what peaked my interest initially. What is the best time on the calendar for that?

[KandKKustomz]

Got it. I guess I should have just said upstate NY. I had heard about the fall SM fishing on Oneida which is what peaked my interest initially. What is the best time on the calendar for that?

Late September to first 2 weeks of October generally.. obvioulsly depends on fall and how water temps are running.

[zelmo]

Thank you.

[KandKKustomz]

Thank you.

[zelmo]

Late September to first 2 weeks of October generally.. obvioulsly depends on fall and how water temps are running.

Is there a website that reports water temperatures?

[Murph44]

Weather and wind is considered if you do Oneida...

[zelmo]

Weather and wind is considered if you do Oneida...

I hear you. I have never taken my boat to Lake Erie because of that same issue. I was hoping Oneida wouldn't be as dicey. I guess I could plan the trip to be Oneida and if the weather doesn't cooperate punt and go to a smaller lake.

[KandKKustomz]

I hear you. I have never taken my boat to Lake Erie because of that same issue. I was hoping Oneida wouldn't be as dicey. I guess I could plan the trip to be Oneida and if the weather doesn't cooperate punt and go to a smaller lake.

could always hit Onondaga if blown off oneida or even north end of cayuga, Otisco.. etc.. Murph is right Oneida can be down right dangerous with the wrong wind... solid 4 to 5 footers are realistic. however you can always go up the river to avoid the wind if you launch from Oneida shores

[zelmo]

I guess wind out of the west is ok, but from the north or northeast would be brutal?

[KandKKustomz]

east is terrible... waves get rolling.. oneida is type of lake you have a small window to get off if weather turns and the Syracuse NY area is notorious for storms that pop up out of no where with bad winds.. can be great one min and brutal in like 15 min.

[zelmo]

I just looked at current conditions. Wind is from the east at 4 mph.

Is wind that low from the east ok, or is any terrible?

[zelmo]

Late September to first 2 weeks of October generally.. obvioulsly depends on fall and how water temps are running.

Well, today is 9/16. Will they have turned on by next week?

[hookset16]

Well, today is 9/16. Will they have turned on by next week?

hard to say. I'm up this weekend, expecting fish to be in transition. Have some nights in the 40's this week up there but Friday/Saturday/Sunday looks like a major warm front.

[KandKKustomz]

Well, today is 9/16. Will they have turned on by next week?

as mentioned this weekend is going to be pretty warm so honestly I think will still be in transition by next week. Its gonna take some real cool cool nights and low daytime temps to get that water temp down to about 60 where it needs to be to be "on". Seeing water temps around 67 to 68 now.

[KandKKustomz]

I just looked at current conditions. Wind is from the east at 4 mph.

Is wind that low from the east ok, or is any terrible?

4mph is fine but cant expect any wind forecast to be accurate... I had a tournament this weekend was watching the wind forecast and it changed daily and changed less then 6 hours prior. A steady 10 to 12 plus or more from the East just depends on how brave or stupid you are, for me "No bueno"....

[hookset16]

4mph is fine but cant expect any wind forecast to be accurate... I had a tournament this weekend was watching the wind forecast and it changed daily and changed less then 6 hours prior. A steady 10 to 12 plus or more from the East just depends on how brave or stupid you are, for me "No bueno"....

You know Oneida better than I, I'm usually willing to be on with anything less than 15mph, what's your go/no go point with direction and speed?

[zelmo]

Thanks for all of the information. I like to say that a good day on the water is one that I get home safely. I will definitely pay attention to the wind and weather.

Sounds like I should cool my jets and target mid October. That will also give me more time to try to figure out how to fish the lake.

[hookset16]

Thanks for all of the information. I like to say that a good day on the water is one that I get home safely. I will definitely pay attention to the wind and weather.

Sounds like I should cool my jets and target mid October. That will also give me more time to try to figure out how to fish the lake.

I'll see you up there, going oct 17-20th.