Spider Rybaak has been fishing the waters of Central New York for half a century, and fishing heavily in Oneida Lake for the past 15 years; he is an angler, a teacher and a writer; and he has recently parlayed his trio of skills into his latest book, “Fishing Oneida Lake.” “The book opens up to readers all the fishing opportunities Oneida Lake offers, from bank fishing and surf fishing to trolling, jigging and drifting … every kind of lake fishing you could conceive of,” said Rybaak, a former Cazenovia resident who has lived in Canastota for the past 10 years. “This lake is an all-around great fishery.” “Fishing Oneida Lake” is the only book detailing Oneida Lake’s fishing opportunities, according to the publisher. Arranged by season, the book offers 67 specific locations for fishing success, along with fishing tips, maps and an appendix full of fishing guides, charter services, marinas and more. Oneida Lake measures almost 21 miles long and five miles wide, and has an average depth of 22 feet. It is the largest body of water completely within New York State and, according to Rybaak, it is also “the most productive warm water fishery in the state” to which anglers from across the U.S. come to fish. The lake boasts premier opportunities for walleye, bass and other gamefish, and is a regular location for national bass fishing tournaments. Rybaak said he wrote the book because Oneida Lake is such a productive fishery and so many people “just don’t know it.” “It has every kind of fishing habitat you would like, including fast water in some of the tributaries … you name it you’ve got it,” he said. “You can literally fish for different species of fish in different habitats all year.” Rybaak writes on angling and outdoors for the Oswego County Tourism Bureau and is the author of “Fishing the Great Lakes” and other books. He lectures frequently on fishing in CNY, is an active instructor at youth fishing clinics across New York state. He is the 2013 recipient of the “Pass it On” Award, sponsored jointly by the New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association and Bass Pro Shops, and awarded annually to an individual dedicated to “passing on our outdoor heritage to keep alive the ethics of conservation and the enjoyment of natural resources and outdoor sports.” In May, Rybaak has three youth fishing programs scheduled:
—Saturday, May 16, at Lake Neatahwantha in Fulton off Route 3.
—Saturday, May 23, at the Minna Anthony Nature Center, 44927 Cross Island Road, Wellesly Island, Fineview, N.Y. —Saturday, May 30, at the Onieda Lake hatchery, 3 Hatchery Rd, Constantia.
Rybaak said that while his educational fishing courses are aimed at beginners/children, anyone is welcome. He starts by giving information and instruction, provide all poles and baits and then let’s people fish. “Fishing Oneida Lake” is available at bookstores, through online book retailers and at tackle and specialty shops, or through the publisher at burfordbooks.com. Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].