The bass and walleye fishing on Oneida Lake, one of Upstate New York's premier angling destinations, was "off this summer," according to creel reports collected by the Cornell Biological Field Station at Shackleton Point.
Angler catch rates for both fish were down about "40 percent" compared to years past, said Randy Jackson, senior research associate and associate director at the field station.
In addition, the fall walleye bite on the lake has likewise been "hit or miss," according to several veteran anglers interviewed.
The population explosion of round gobies on the lake, an invasive bait fish is one big factor. An additional reason is a banner reproductive year for gizzard shad, another bait fish on the lake. It's not a matter of shortage of fish in the lake. They just have an ample food supply.
Angler catch rates for both fish were down about "40 percent" compared to years past, said Randy Jackson, senior research associate and associate director at the field station.
In addition, the fall walleye bite on the lake has likewise been "hit or miss," according to several veteran anglers interviewed.
The population explosion of round gobies on the lake, an invasive bait fish is one big factor. An additional reason is a banner reproductive year for gizzard shad, another bait fish on the lake. It's not a matter of shortage of fish in the lake. They just have an ample food supply.
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