Cayuga Lake is the longest of Finger Lakes, being just over 38 miles long, with a maximum depth of 435 feet. In a few spots the lake is almost 2 miles wide. Cayuga Lake is home to the following species of fish lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, chain pickerel, rock bass, crappie, sunfish, bullheads, bowfin, white suckers, channel catfish, lake sturgeon, carp, alewives and smelt.

  Atlantic salmon are known for spectacular leaps and sudden burst of speed, hence the scientific name Salmo salar which means to leap in Latin. The Atlantic salmon in NY waters are a variety of Landlocked salmon. They are raised at the Adirondack Fish Hatchery in Saranac Lake and stocked in over 50 waters throughout New York State. Atlantic salmon differ from king and coho salmon, because they survive the spawning process and spawn several times. Since very little natural reproduction occurs, annual stocking is required to maintain a desirable population size.

  In the spring, Atlantic salmon are found in the shallower waters. Once water temperatures reaches the upper 50's, they will move offshore into deeper water. Here they will feed heavily on smelt and alewives. Fisherman looking to target Atlantic salmon will use downriggers, lead-core line, and dipsey divers to get the lures to the desired depths. The current state record for Atlantic Salmon is 24 pounds and 15 ounces and was caught by Mike Dandino on April 5, 1997 from Lake Ontario.

  Rainbow trout or steelhead as they are referred to in the Great Lakes are not a native species to NY waters. They were introduced to NY waters from the Pacific Coast sometime around 1870. Rainbow trout like the brown trout are able to tolerate warmer water than native trout and quickly became popular through out the state.

  Rainbow trout spawn in the spring but will often start to migrate up the streams in late fall and early winter. This creates a fantastic fishing opportunity for NY anglers. A 10 pound steelhead hooked on a noodle rod with 2,4 or 6 pound test can really give an angler a test of his fishing skills. Strong hard runs and acrobatic leaps are what keeps this fish at the top of the anglers list. In the Streams and rivers steelhead may be enticed to hit a variety of baits. Egg sacs or plastic imitation eggs are among the most common used. Sponge in various colors can also be very productive. Artificial flies and streamers will also entice fish to strike.

  The brown trout is not a native species to NY waters. The brown trout were introduced to NY waters from Europe. The brown trout is able to survive and flourish in warmer waters that other trout species will not tolerate. This is one reason for its growing popularity among the anglers of NY.

  The brown trout in the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario experience a phenomenal growth rate. They are able to utilize the colder water and venture in to warmer water that rainbow and lake trout do not feed in.

  The lake trout is a member of the char family of fish. Lake trout are a native species of trout in NY waters. They can be found in the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Adirondacks Lakes. These fish prefer deep colder water and can live upwards to 30 or 40 years in age. These fish can attain weights of up to 50 pounds.

  Fishing for lake trout is a challenge. Most fisherman will target lake trout using down riggers fishing spoons in 70 to 150 feet of water. Another method that isn't so common anymore is known as pulling copper. This is a method where a fisherman in a small boat will use copper wire to drag a spoon or lure over the deepest water in the lake. It sounds odd but many a large laker has met his demise this way.

  Jigging for lakers is becoming a very popular method in the Finger Lakes Region. Fisherman are using jigging spoons and bass jigs to entice lakers. Some are using a fish attractant on the baits others may be tipping the jigs with live bait or chunks of cutbait. The new fish finders are able to track you jig down to the bottom in 100 feet or more and you can even see the fish chase or attack your jig. Fisherman are quick to adapt and incorporate new methods and technology that make our sport more fun and productive.

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