HONEOYE LAKE
The shallowest of the Finger Lakes, Honeoye is saucer shaped with extensive weedbeds and little bottom structure. Walleyes, perch, bluegills and pickerel thrive in the warm water environment, and recent management efforts have been aimed at improving the walleye fishery -- the minimum length is 15 inches, and the daily limit is three fish.

Often called the sixth Great Lake, Champlain is popular with ice-fishermen because it contains both coldwater and warmwater species.

Best chances for walleyes and perch are along the weedlines at 15- to 20-foot depths toward the middle of the lake. Honeoye is also noted for its hand-sized bluegills and other panfish, usually taken with dots and small jigs tipped with mousies or perch eyes.

Honeoye is about five miles long and lies in western Ontario County. A launch site provides access off East Lake Road four miles south of the hamlet of Honeoye Park. Route 36 runs along the west shore.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE
Chautauqua Lake is a famous ice-fishing destination in western New York, and that popularity places it on every hotspot list. Walleyes attract most ice-fishermen to the northern basin, due to its deeper water and more diverse habitat.

Anglers usually set up over a rock or gravel bottom at depths ranging from 20 to 50 feet. The area off Prendergast Point is a good example.

Other recommended areas include Long Point, Chautauqua Institution and Mission Meadows.

Chautauqua also offers excellent perch and crappie fishing at Bemus Bay, Dewittville Bay and Irwins Bay in the northern basin, and at Ashville Bay in the southern basin.

Chautauqua Lake lies between Jamestown and Mayville in southwestern New York. Route 17 crosses the lake, which is eight miles from I-90, Exit 60, at Westfield.

Two access sites are available at Bemus Point, including Long Point State Park on Route 430, one mile west of the village, and at Lake Chautauqua State Park on Route 430 between Bemus Point and Maple Springs.

Prendergast Point is a popular west-shore access site off Route 394 behind the fish hatchery. The Mayville Village Park also provides access for winter anglers.