Seneca River fishing?

[bulletbob]

Just wondering about the Seneca River, if anyone fishes it regularly.. Unlike most here, I am not much into trolling  especially with riggers, lead core, meat rigs etc.. Just not what I enjoy doing.. I do a little flat lining in spring, because i can fish with lighter tackle, and stop the boat when I hook  up...

These days, I prefer bait fishing, or  jigging for panfish, SMB, Walleyes, maybe a Pike or Pickerel on occassion etc....   I have read many times of the good fishing in the Seneca River, but  in the area around Montezuma, when I stop, I see guys mainly fishing for carp, cats etc.. I fished there years ago in some backwater sloughs filled with downed trees for Crappies.. We caught some, but most were sub legal.. I don't know the river at all, and a few starting points would be appreciated... Is the area  between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes productive, or does one need to fish closer to Cross Lake?.... Not looking for anyone's hot spots, just some general info as to where to launch,  lures that have worked in the past etc... any help is appreciated... bob

[johnnywalleye]

find the rocks; the eyes are normally there,getting them to bite is another thread;and so long 4 now;john

[rolmops]

It is probably the best place to catch carp in NYS in spring along the Montezuma shore.

[bulletbob]

yeah plenty of Carp close to home, not really what I am looking for...

 

[kayslay]

Many crappie to catch up there, look up the diffent locks till you find em!

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

[thejigger]

Fish where the river runs in and out of Cross lake for walleye, jigs tipped with worms and blades

[bulletbob]

 Is there a launch that will give me access to both Cross Lake and the river??.. The only launch I know of is the one  on 5&20 near Montezuma,,, That won't get me anywhere near Cross Lake, and from what I have read Cross lake would be a good one for the type of fishing I do....bob

 

[johnnywalleye]

there is cross lake marina and or cross lake boat club that has a launch on the river,65 dollar dues a yr to join,less than a mile from cross lake;and so long 4 now;john

[Tungaro]

What do you think of eating the fish out of the river around montezuma? The DEC just says everything downstream of baldwinsville should be avoided for consumption, but everyone around waterloo says they wouldnt eat crappie or walleye out of the river. We just moved to the area and im within walking distance of the river, so being able to take a few without becoming mad as a hatter would be nice. 

[johnnywalleye]

a meal a month wont make you glow

[rolmops]

On 2/14/2026 at 7:39 AM, johnnywalleye said:

a meal a month wont make you glow

But you will  probably set of the alarms at airport security because of the heavy metals.....

(just kidding)

Edited February 15 by rolmops