The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Otsego Lake
Otsego County, New York · 4,050 acres (6.3 sq mi)
41°F water, calm this afternoon.
About Otsego Lake
Otsego Lake spreads over 4,050 acres in Otsego County, New York. It sits on the Susquehanna River. Otsego Lake is the source of the Susquehanna River and was nicknamed 'Glimmerglass' by novelist James Fenimore Cooper.
It stretches about 7.8 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 18.4 miles. Its surface is about 1,190 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 167 ft, with an average depth near 82 ft. Cooperstown sits right on the water. The closest city is Utica, about 26 miles away.
- Size
- 4,050 acres (6.3 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 167 ft (average 82 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 18.4 miles
- End to end
- About 7.8 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,190 ft
- Type
- Natural lake
- River
- Susquehanna River
- County
- Otsego County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise
- 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 6 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 6 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 7 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Otsego Lake
Anglers come to Otsego Lake for lake trout, walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, trout, largemouth bass and bluegill and sunfish. With the surface at 41°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodLake trout
Cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
- SlowSmallmouth bass
Cold. Slow presentations on deep rock.
- GoodTrout
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:49 am · sunset 4:38 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Otsego Lake
- Cooperstownon the shore
- Springfieldabout 2.3 mi north
- Richfield Springsabout 5.4 mi northwest
- Worcesterabout 11 mi southeast
- Uticanearest city, about 26 mi northwest
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Questions about Otsego Lake
What fish are in Otsego Lake?
Otsego Lake holds lake trout, walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, trout, largemouth bass and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Otsego Lake?
About 167 ft at the deepest point, about 82 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Otsego Lake?
4,050 acres, with about 18.4 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Otsego Lake?
Cooperstown is on the shore; Springfield is about 2.3 miles north.
What is the water temperature at Otsego Lake today?
The surface was about 41°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Otsego Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.