NEW YORK LAKES

Lamoka Lake is an approximately 588 acre lake located in northwestern Schuyler County about two miles west of Tyrone. Lamoka Lake is often mentioned collectively with Waneta Lake which is just to the north and connected by a 0.7 mile channel that flows through the Waneta-Lamoka Wildlife Management Area. A bridge that crosses the middle of this channel has recently been upgraded and allows most low profile boats to travel between lakes without pulling the boat out of the water. Except for the northern most portion of the lake, the shoreline is composed of year round and seasonal homes and cottages.

Fishing in Lamoka Lake is very similar to Waneta Lake providing anglers with excellent opportunities to catch quality sized largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and occasional smallmouth bass. Ample forage results in excellent growth and condition of these fishes. Largemouth bass can be found all around the lake in shallow water areas, especially in Fleet Cove. During most summers, poor oxygen levels limit fish and fishing to the upper 20 feet of the lake. Recent surveys revealed numerous largemouth bass in the 4 pound range. Concentrate on structure and vegetation when fishing for largemouth bass. Spinner baits, jerk baits, crayfish, plastic worms, grubs, and tube baits work well for catching bass. Smallmouth bass make up a relatively small portion of bass in Lamoka Lake. They can be found most anywhere, but are typically more abundant near gravel areas which can be found on the northeast corner of the lake. Chain pickerel are typically associated with the abundant weed beds and weed lines. Pickerel up to 5 pounds are common. Try casting spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, and rubber worms in and near weed beds. Large shiners suspended under bobbers also work well. Additionally, an occasional muskellunge straying from Waneta Lake may also surprise anglers fishing Lamoka Lake.

Bluegills, yellow perch, and black crappie are plentiful and dominate the panfish catch. Black crappies provide excellent fishing opportunities in the shallow bays and within the channel in the spring. When fishing for panfish in other times of the year, concentrate on weed lines, openings in vegetation beds, and anywhere you can find submerged structure. Additionally, bullheads are very abundant throughout the lake and can be caught most anytime, although spring time is one of the better times to catch numerous bullheads.

In addition to the open water fishery, excellent ice fishing opportunities exist within Lamoka Lake with anglers targeting pickerel and panfish species. Try ice fishing with tip-ups baited with small minnows or jigging with spoons (like Swedish pimples) tipped with spikes, mousies or a minnow head. A popular area is around Red Bank Island found in the northern part of the lake.

Are there places to stay in the Lamoka Lake area?