If Oneida Lake, NY was a little deeper it would be considered one of the Finger Lakes, but at only 22.5 feet in depth, it doesn’t qualify. Instead, Oneida Lake has been called the “Thumb” of the Finger Lake. Oneida Lake is actually an ancient vestige of an inland sea called Lake Iroquois which disappeared around 12,000 years ago. Ten to twelve miles to the south are the foothills on the back side of the Appalachian Mountains. To the east and north are the Adirondack Mountains and the Tug Hill Plateau. Although surrounded by hills and mountains, the land around Oneida Lake is somewhat flat. Named for the Oneida Indians that still live near the lake, Oneida Lake is about 21 miles long and 5 miles wide making it the largest lake in New York.
Now that you’re thoroughly familiar with the history of Oneida Lake, let’s talk about the activities available. First, the summer season is the busiest. Because the lake is shallow, the water is much warmer than the surrounding lakes making water sports and activities high on the list of “must dos”. The 300’ sandy beach is usually crowded with visitors and guests frolicking in the lake or floating around on inflatable rafts, rings, etc without a care, knowing they are under the watchful eyes of the life guards. If lake swimming isn’t something you want to do, then enjoy Oneida Lake’s many area attractions and places to play, from golf, to parks, and of course, Sylvan Beach Amusement Park which is over a 100 years old. Turning Stone Casino, Vernon Downs, Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo and the Boxing Hall of Fame are only minutes away.
However, the biggest draw for Oneida Lake is the fishing. Consistently ranked in the top 50 hot spots for bass, Oneida Lake is part of the Bassmaster Pro circuit. These professional fishermen are experts at their trade and pull in hundreds of pounds of large and smallmouth bass during a tournament. Bring a rod and reel or rent one when you get here, and while you’re at it, hire a fishing guide. Knowledge of the shoreline and underwater terrain is critical when fishing a new place. Some species of fish are biting throughout the year such as walleye, northern pike, perch and bullhead. What’s more, because the lake is shallow it freezes solid in the winter allowing for some good ice fishing. If the wife and kids come along and they don’t enjoy fishing, there are plenty of places to shop at the local retail establishments as well as the big box stores.
The Oneida Lake shoreline is home to some of the finest restaurants in central New York and many of these eateries offer breathtaking sunset views of the lake. Looking for something more casual? With over 24 restaurants lake side, there is something for everyone. The majority of the eateries are locally owned and operated.
Like Forrest Gump says, “that’s all I got to say about that”. Come see us, you’re sure to have a good time—guaranteed!