Best Fishing Spots on Cayuga Lake

Best Fishing Spots on Cayuga Lake: Where to Cast for a Great Catch

Stretching nearly 38 miles from Seneca Falls to Ithaca, Cayuga Lake is the longest of the Finger Lakes—and one of the best for fishing. With its mix of deep coldwater channels, rocky drop-offs, weedy shallows, and productive tributaries, Cayuga Lake offers fishing opportunities year-round for both shore anglers and boaters.

But where exactly should you fish?

Here’s a look at some of the top fishing spots on Cayuga Lake, broken down by region and access type. Whether you’re chasing lake trout, bass, salmon, or perch, these locations are proven favorites among locals and visiting anglers alike.

1. Taughannock Falls State Park (West Shore, Trumansburg)

One of the most popular fishing access points on Cayuga Lake, Taughannock Falls State Park offers a public boat launch, a fishing pier, and accessible shoreline. The area is known for its steep underwater drop-offs, making it ideal for lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and brown trout, especially in spring and fall.

Best For: Lake trout, salmon, brown trout

Fishing Type: Shore, pier, boat

Season Tip: Try casting from shore in April or trolling deep in late summer

2. Cayuga Lake State Park (Northwest Shore, Seneca Falls)

Located at the northern end of the lake, Cayuga Lake State Park offers both shoreline and boat access, along with picnic areas and campsites. The water here is shallower, with nearby weed beds and inlets that attract largemouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Best For: Bass, perch, northern pike

Fishing Type: Shore, boat, kayak

Local Tip: Cast early morning near the vegetation lines in summer

3. Myers Park (East Shore, Lansing)

This park just north of Ithaca offers a well-maintained boat launch, a fishing pier, and easy shoreline access. The area is productive for smallmouth bass, perch, and occasionally trout in early spring or fall.

Best For: Smallmouth bass, perch

Fishing Type: Shore, pier, boat

Bonus: Popular with families and ideal for casual evening fishing

4. Sheldrake Point (Mid-lake, West Shore)

Sheldrake Point features steep underwater structure, making it one of the best mid-lake locations for trolling deep for lake trout and salmon. It’s mostly accessed by boat, and is a favorite among serious anglers looking for deepwater action.

Best For: Lake trout, Atlantic salmon

Fishing Type: Boat-only

Angler Tip: Use downriggers or lead core lines to target fish near the thermocline

5. Dean’s Cove Boat Launch (West Shore, near Romulus)

This DEC-maintained site is popular for launching boats and fishing offshore for trout, salmon, and bass. The cove itself has rocky structure and access to deep water within a short distance.

Best For: Lake trout, smallmouth bass

Fishing Type: Boat, limited shore

Tip: Troll north or south from the cove drop-offs

6. Long Point State Park (East Shore, Aurora)

Located near the center of the lake, Long Point offers a fishing pier, shoreline access, and a small boat launch. The area has a mix of rocky bottom and moderate depth, supporting smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and even lake trout offshore.

Best For: Smallmouth, perch

Fishing Type: Shore, boat

Scenic Bonus: Quiet, less crowded than other state parks

7. Southern End (Ithaca Inlets and Stewart Park)

Although swimming is restricted at Stewart Park, the southern end of the lake—where Cayuga Inlet and Fall Creek enter—can be a hotspot for springtime fishing, especially for Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and carp. This area is popular in April and May when trout and salmon stage near the mouths of tributaries.

Best For: Brown trout, salmon, carp

Fishing Type: Shore, kayak

Time It Right: Fish early spring or after rain when flows increase

8. Mud Lock (Northern Tip of the Lake)

Located near the outlet of the lake, Mud Lock and the surrounding canalized areas are excellent for ice fishing in winter, as well as shoreline fishing for bullhead, perch, and pike in spring.

Best For: Bullhead, perch, northern pike

Fishing Type: Shore, ice fishing

Unique Feature: One of the few reliable ice fishing spots on Cayuga

9. Frontenac Park (Union Springs)

On the lake’s northwestern end, this quiet park features shoreline access, a boat launch, and nearby weedy shallows that attract largemouth bass and panfish. It’s a great family-friendly fishing spot with scenic views and lower pressure than bigger parks.

Best For: Largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish

Fishing Type: Shore, small boat, canoe

Best Season: Summer evenings

Tips for Choosing Your Spot

◉ Trolling for Trout & Salmon? Head mid-lake or near deep drop-offs like Sheldrake Point or Dean’s Cove

◉ Shore Fishing for Bass or Perch? Visit Myers Park, Cayuga Lake State Park, or Long Point

◉ Want a Quiet Spot? Frontenac Park and Mud Lock are less crowded alternatives

◉ Winter Ice Fishing? Stick to the northern shallows near Mud Lock or Union Springs

Final Thoughts

From wide-open boat launches to hidden shoreline gems, Cayuga Lake is full of productive fishing spots that cater to every style of angler. Its combination of deep-water structure, accessible shorelines, and year-round opportunities makes it one of the premier fishing destinations in New York State.

Whether you're casting from a pier in Lansing or trolling 100 feet deep off Sheldrake Point, Cayuga Lake offers something rare — a lake that fishes well in every season, for nearly every kind of angler.