What is the best walleye lake in the Northeast?

Oneida Lake in New York is our first pick; Raystown Lake and Lake Wallenpaupack are close behind.

When is the best time to fish for walleye?

Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.

Best walleye lakes in the Northeast: 9 lakes to fish

Walleye feed best in low light and cool water, and the lakes of the Northeast give them plenty of both. Here are 9 lakes where walleye are on record, with where to start on each.

The lakes

Lake	State	Also holds
Oneida Lake	New York	yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass
Raystown Lake	Pennsylvania	striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass
Lake Wallenpaupack	Pennsylvania	largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch
Deep Creek Lake	Maryland	largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch
Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake)	Pennsylvania	muskie, catfish, trout
Black Lake	New York	largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie, bl
Chautauqua Lake	New York	muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow pe
Winnisquam Lake	New Hampshire	trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish
Lake Carmi	Vermont	northern pike

1. Oneida Lake, New York

At 50,900 acres, Oneida Lake is a huge piece of water. Walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 55 ft.

Oneida Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania

At 8,300 acres of water, Raystown Lake is a good-sized lake. Walleye, striped bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are the draw. At about 200 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Raystown Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania

At some 5,760 acres, Lake Wallenpaupack is a good-sized lake. Expect walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. At about 60 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Wallenpaupack today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Deep Creek Lake covers 3,630 acres. The fish here are walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 75 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Deep Creek Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake), Pennsylvania

At 12,100 acres, Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) is a big lake. You will find it near Randolph. Expect walleye, muskie, catfish and trout. It goes down to about 130 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Allegheny Reservoir is impounded by Kinzua Dam, one of the largest dams east of the Mississippi River, and is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest.

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Black Lake, New York

At 7,860 acres of water, Black Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it near Ogdensburg. It holds walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike. At about 40 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Black Lake is the largest lake located entirely within St. Lawrence County, New York, and drains into the Oswegatchie River.

Black Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Chautauqua Lake, New York

Chautauqua Lake is a natural lake of 13,400 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Erie (about 31 miles). It holds walleye, muskie, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 44 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Chautauqua Lake drains south via the Chadakoin River toward the Allegheny River rather than toward the Great Lakes.

Chautauqua Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Winnisquam Lake, New Hampshire

Winnisquam Lake spreads over 4,210 acres of water. The lake is next to Laconia. Walleye, trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass are the draw. It goes down to about 155 ft. Lake Winnisquam is part of the Winnipesaukee River chain of lakes and offers both warmwater bass and coldwater trout fishing.

Winnisquam Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Carmi, Vermont

Lake Carmi covers some 1,380 acres. The lake is near Enosburg Falls. It holds walleye and northern pike. The deepest water is around 33 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Lake Carmi drains north into Quebec's Pike River and is a popular pike and walleye fishery.

Lake Carmi today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Walleye through the year in the Northeast

Use these as a starting point and let the water temperature decide: the lake pages show it every morning.

Spring: Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
Summer: Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
Fall: Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
Winter: Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.