Keuka Lake
Keuka Lake is the 3rd largest Finger Lake, right behind Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in size. It’s always been a favorite amongst bass fishermen in the region – both from NY and Pennsylvania. It’s what I’d call a “friendlier lake” than the aforementioned ones. The high hills that surround this lake help keep the winds a bit more moderate. It is rare to encounter dangerous waves on this lake – I’ve seen worse on Canandaigua, Owasco, Skaneateles, Cayuga and Seneca than I have here. That being said, I haven’t spent as much time on this lake as I have on many of the others, but the points, bluffs and winding nature of the lake basin really do keep the wave action down. You’ll get more wakes from boat traffic here on a hot weekend day than you will from the wind!
The crash of this lake’s alewife population has been the biggest change here on Keuka Lake. Fish are behaving differently with smallmouth bass apparently keying in more on crayfish and perch. Lake trout fishing has been spottier – though still good, with fish often feeding up high in the water column on perch fry. I’m sure we’ll notice more changes.
DEC has come up with a basic management strategy on this lake. Ciscoes have been experimentally re-introduced to the lake. Landlocked salmon and brown trout stocking has been terminated and lastly, rainbows are now being stocked as yearlings instead of fingerlings.
The lake trout fishing here is still good and downright excellent at times during the late fall and early winter. They are starting to eat more freshwater shrimp and perch fry. The condition of the lakers here is fair, not poor like so many of Skaneateles Lake’s fish tend to be.
Rainbow over Keuka Lake in the fall!
Keuka Lake walleye caught in December of 2023 - a 22" fish
This is a solid lake for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing from the early season opener in May through the fall. Both fish reach trophy sizes on this lake, but we have noticed a decrease in the overall size and condition of the smallmouth bass in this lake since the walleye population has become more established. The lake also offers a variety of other fishing options including lake trout jigging, some HUGE pickerel and giant yellow perch.
DEC had some walleyes turn up during some gill-netting conducted here around 2017. Like Skaneateles Lake, this lake has also had an illegal introduction of walleyes. According to one of my clients, these walleyes have been in here for over a decade, given that he caught a good sized one maybe 10 years ago here. Their population stayed undetectable for the most part until recently. Having another predator in a lake like this is not good. I caught my first Keuka walleye here late in December of 2023.
Keuka is a very interesting lake in many respects. Some of the deepest water is found further north (relatively speaking) than on other Finger Lakes. The lake has an inlet and an outlet on its north end(s.) The Penn Yan arm has “Keuka Outlet,” which drains into Seneca Lake at Dresden (there is an impassable falls on the outlet, thus fish cannot move from Seneca into Keuka Lake.) The Branchport arm has an inlet on it! The lake trout are abundant and all wild. They taste great! The lake trout spawn later here than on other Finger Lakes and they tend to hit very well throughout the fall. Very interesting structure here too.
Uncommon Keuka Lake Northern Pike
In 2020 and 2021, I spent more time targeting bass on this lake. It’s a deceptively large lake and there are plenty of areas that harbor nice bass. Many of these areas don’t “jump off the map”. It takes time to learn them. The pickerel population is very large and we had a 28″er in 2011.
Other species found on Keuka Lake include crappies, northern pike, rockbass and bluegills/sunfish. Pike numbers are fair here; they would still be considered bonus fish on this lake. In 2006 I managed to catch a 35″ beauty on this lake and we had some good pike in 2010 – including a 36″er. They are around, but not something I’d necessarily target here. A 23lb northern was taken through the ice here during March of 2009! We had a northern around 28″ or 29″ in 2024, but it was thin and showing signs of stress.
Like Skaneateles Lake, logistical issues have made it tougher to access this lake’s great fishing. The owners of the Hammondsport Hotel did some great improvements to the launch but have decided to stop allowing the public non-guests to launch there anymore. I’m not pleased with this move, but it’s their property and they have a right to do as they see fit. Thus, some of the best angling areas for lakers from the fall through early spring (as well as good pickerel/pike areas and perch areas) are now only accessible via a 12 mile or better boat ride. Not worth it for me.
I did a fair amount of fishing and guiding on Keuka Lake over the past three years. I had some terrific lake trout action on the fly during the late-winter/early-spring of 2023 and 2024. I also guided some lake trout jigging trips and a little bit of smallmouth bass here those years.
Keuka Lake Pickerel - 28"
Fly-fishing late winter/early spring lake trout on Keuka Lake
Species Index
White Perch are common in Otisco Lake and uncommon in Cayuga Lake. They can be a lot of fun to catch and are good to eat.
Freshwater Drum are the most underrated gamefish in freshwater. They check all of the boxes any gamefish would.
Black Crappie are the most common crappie species in the Finger Lakes. A few white crappie can be found in Otisco Lake. They are most often targeted in the spring and through the ice.
Is it a pike or is it a pickerel? It's both! Hybrid pike/pickerel show up on occasion in Seneca, Cayuga and Keuka Lakes. They are a gorgeous fish.
Longnose Gar are one of my favorite fish to chase on a fly-rod. The have been around for millions of years!
Chain pickerel are common in Cayuga, Canandaigua, Honeoye, and Keuka Lakes. They are also found in Seneca, Canadice, Hemlock and Skaneateles Lake.
Tiger Muskies are the sterile hybrid of a pure-strain musky and a northern pike. Occasionally they are called "norlunge" as well.
I think fishermen take carp for granted. They are so abundant in the area (and throughout the country) that many people don't value them.
Channel Catfish are found in pockets throughout the region. To the best of my knowledge, none of the Fingerlakes have large populations of them.
Walleyes are common in Conesus and and uncommon in Owasco Lake. Other Finger Lakes having populations of them include Honeoye and Otisco Lakes.