Sk aneateles Lake Skaneateles - Mandana - Glen Haven
Skaneateles Lake serves as the water supply for Syracuse and, as such, is very clear, pristine and protected. The steep cliff-like sides and little shallow water make it colder than the other Finger Lakes, so it takes longer for the fish to grow here. Alewives and Sawbellies are illegal on this water and fishing requires smaller lures than found in most Finger Lakes tackle boxes. The low level of forage for the resident fish translates to a relatively hungry fishery ready to hit most any lure. Lake Trout average just under 2 lbs. and since they don’t have forage fish to pursue, they’re found in shallow water of 30 feet or less, close to bottom. TIP: Big Lake Trout are usually taken off Harold Brook north of Mandana in early May. Still fish with live large minnows with a sinker and English hook. Due to the colder temperature, the thermocline sets up closer to the surface compared to the other lakes. After it does, by mid-June, Seth Green rigs or down riggers trolling small silver spoons up and down the center of the lake in 15-30 feet works all summer long. Lake Trout, during fall spawning season, move closer to shore along cliffs southeast of Ten-Mile and Wickwire Points. Work the points with jigs up against the cliffs. Winter Lake Trout are successfully fished off the Skaneateles Village Pier. Landlocked Salmon average 1.5 pounds and 15 inches. In spring, the hot spot is shallow trolling out from 5-Mile-Point and north of the state boat launch. Late summer into winter, they are in southern third of the lake taking live minnows. Rainbow Trout are taken more often than Lake Trout. In early April, fish the top ten feet of water off points on the southeast side with jigs. Or troll the surface at the south end and 5 Mile Point.
For a mixed creel of fish, cast jigs in 20-30 feet of water over rubble points. During July and August, Rainbows are disbursed but can be taken trolling. Rainbow fishing resurges in late September. Try streamer fishing, trolling just under the surface with small rapalas and jigs in the south end. Off the southeast side, work the points after frost. Smallmouth Bass are located along just about every shoreline area against rock ledges. The closer to shore the cast, the better the chances for a Smallmouth and even Rainbows, Browns and Landlocks. The size limit for Smallmouth is 10 inches. There’s a narrow band of shallow water ringing the lake. A couple of good spots are south of Mandana on the west side and 5-Mile-Point on the east side.
Elevation ........................863 feet Area .........................8960 acres Shoreline ....................32.8 miles Mean depth ...................145 feet Maximum depth .............315 feet Thermocline ......................35 feet
Skaneateles 20
Yellow Perch average a good-sized 10 inches. Beginning the first week in March at each end of the lake, try jigging or still fish with minnows on perch rigs. Summer means drifting minnows in either end. For Northern Pike, there’s a good spot off Mile Point just north of the state launch.
Smaller Silver Spoons Such as Sutton 5 or Silver Plated Small Stinger -----------------
Lake Trout Large Minnows, English Hooks, Seth Green Rigs, Rapalas, Swedish Pimples -----------------
41A
Landlocked Salmon Sutton Spoons, Alpena Diamonds, Rapalas, Live Minnows -----------------
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Mandana
HOT SPOT: Especially good Smallmouth fishing occurs along the cliffs at 10-MilePoint and Wickwire Point. Cast jigs toward shore and slowly work down to the base of cliffs. Late July, drifting large minnows in 20-30 feet of water off Wickwire Point in the south end is good for Smallmouth and might also net a few one pound Yellow Perch in the process.
Skaneateles Lake Tackle Box
Rainbow Trout Streamers, Rapalas, Mayfly or Scud Imitations, Little Cleos, Sutton Spoons, Night Crawler, Dipsey Spinner, Marshmallows, Worms -----------------
41A
Smallmouth Bass Jigs with Bucktails or Mr. Twisters, Crank Baits
Glen Haven
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Yellow Perch Minnows on Perch Rigs
Public Launches Skaneateles - West shore off Rt. 41A south of the village
Mandana on Rt. 41A - limited parking accepts small boats.
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Northern Pike Large Spoons, Suckers, Shiners -----------------
Other species in Skaneateles are Rock Bass, Pumpkin Seeds and Bluegills in the shallow portions. Fish for Rock Bass from any rocky point using small jigs, leeches or crayfish. Brown Bullhead are very good in late April and concentrated near the mouth of Grout Brook.
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