Access to lake is somewhat restrictive. On the east side of the lake, the DEC maintains a small lot for about 20 cars and trucks. This is one of the best places to fish on the lake. A nearby dam offers good fishing at the 15- to 25-foot depths that are usually the ticket to success.

On the south end of the lake, there is another DEC lot designed for cartop boat launching. This spot is small, so parking can fill up quickly. Most fisherman prefer to fish the north end of the lake for ‘eyes, as opposed to the south end.

Fishing this lake requires the use of basic setups: a decent medium-action rod and 6- to 8-pound monofilament. You’re not going to pull any record-setters out of the lake, but the action can be consistent.

Jigs tipped with worms or leeches seem to have the best impact over the deeper water. Trolling is an option, but weeds can sometime be an issue. If you do plan on trolling, work the 10- to 15-foot depths with a mid-sized crankbait.

Cuba Lake is easy to get to off the Southern Tier Expressway (Route 86) at the Cuba exit. Signs will point you in the right direction to the lake. The lake itself is only about two miles up the road from the expressway.

RUSHFORD LAKE
Rushford Lake can be extremely productive. Other days, it might take some extreme patience and skill to hoist a few keepers eye-up into your livewell.

Experience says that the majority of ‘eyes are taken after dark. Trolling and working the shoreline and varying your speed can often produce some explosive results. The key to fishing Rushford Lake is to change your pattern and presentation if something isn’t exactly working.

Try running stick baits back off the shore in 10 to 12 feet of water. If you’re not getting any hits, drop out to 15 to 20 feet of water, change speed and change lures. Like everything in fishing, the key is patience and persistence.

More information can be provided by calling the DEC office in the town of Allegany at (716) 372-0645; or by contacting the village of Angelica, 21 Peacock Hill Road Angelica, NY 14709. Or you can call (585) 466-7431.

ONEIDA
If you’re from central New York, you pretty much know that when it comes to inland lakes, Oneida Lake is the mecca of walleyes fishing.

Oneida has been the hotspot for chasing marble-eyes when the May opener arrives. Measuring roughly 22 miles long by and five miles wide, and covering about 52,000 acres, Oneida waters give anglers probably the best opportunity in the Northeast to limit out on fish.

Oneida is estimated to have close to 400,000 adult walleyes. Jigging the bottom of the lake in 35 to 45 feet of water should consistently produce walleyes. Trolling stick baits in the early morning hours, or at dusk and dark, should also prove productive.

Most anglers will be working the channel markers, and most seasoned veterans of the lake have their favorite spots mapped out.

The key is to do some research on the lake ahead of time. Pick up a contour map and troll the lines where there are steep dropoffs. It doesn’t hurt to ask at local bait and tackle shops, or to watch the locals on the lake itself.