Fishing Pier is Latest Example of Community Involvement in Historic Restoration of Onondaga Lake
June 7, 2023 - Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon opened a new fishing pier at Onondaga Lake on May 24, 2023. The fishing pier provides anglers the ability to fish into deeper waters in search of the lake’s trophy fish such as large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and an array of other fish. The new fishing pier is adjacent to Onondaga County’s Loop-the-Lake Recreation Trail.
“Today marks another great step in the historic restoration of Onondaga Lake. This fishing pier is a great example of how meaningful community engagement can create real and tangible projects that benefit the Central New York community,” said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. “I want to thank Honeywell and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for their focus on soliciting public input during the remediation of Onondaga Lake and to the Fish & Wildlife Service and the great staff at County Parks for their hard work in making this project a reality.”
The fishing pier extends nearly 100 feet into deeper sections of Onondaga Lake, making fishing accessible to people without a boat.
“The new deep water fishing pier enhances the Onondaga Lake experience for all and we commend this partnership for creating an important access opportunity,” said Acting DEC Region 7 Director Dereth Glance. “Local angler participation propelled the idea for the deep water pier to promote more fishing opportunities. We thank Onondaga County for managing the new pier, which is one project among many that restores public access to the bountiful recreational opportunities provided by the lake.”
Early in the lake restoration planning process, Honeywell, in partnership with DEC, created a Habitat Working Group consisting of local habitat, conservation, and community organizations. Over several years, opinions and perspectives from these groups helped identify how the public wanted to use a restored Onondaga Lake. Expanding fishing access for people without the use of a boat came as a direct result of the community Habitat Working Group recommendations.
“Public input has always been the cornerstone of Honeywell’s engagement with the community. Habitat and lake enthusiasts provided thoughtful and valuable input for how to create expanded fishing access to anglers of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities,” said Shane Blauvelt, Honeywell’s Senior Remediation Manager. “The Central New York community has embraced a restored Onondaga Lake and thousands of people are coming back to the lake and its shoreline for fishing, boating, and Onondaga County’s Loop-the-Lake trail.”
The new deep water fishing pier can be accessed from I-690 in Geddes along the southwest lakeshore. A parking lot is adjacent to the pier.
The fishing pier is one of several projects completed providing greater public access to Onondaga Lake and its shores.
These projects are being done as part of an agreement among Honeywell, Onondaga County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and DEC to restore and protect wildlife habitat and water quality, and to enhance recreational opportunities.
As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has restored about 150 acres of wetlands and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. More than 290 wildlife species are now calling these areas home, and over 140 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake. Honeywell also is working with federal and state government officials on additional projects to restore and protect wildlife habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including creating 100 acres of new native grassland habitat and conserving about 1,600 acres within the watershed.
