The Oneida Lake Know Your Lake Summer Lecture Series

Maximizing a World Class Bass Fishery, Craig Nels, BASS Northern Tour Angler

Craig Nels will discuss the special characteristics of the Oneida Lake fishery and how the lake is a multidimensional fishery with many fish species. It is a body of water where many different fishing styles will often produce fish, but there are certain seasonal patterns and techniques that often prevail. He will present some of these different techniques, including lures, cover, and structure options for largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as some new and exciting lures and techniques that will help land more fish.

Natural History of the Eastern Shoreline of Oneida Lake, Dr. Eugene Domack, Hamilton College

The eastern shoreline of Oneida Lake is the result of over 11,000 years of landscape development and was created during the retreat of the last great ice sheet that covered North America. Eugene Domack will review the various landscapes across the eastern end of the lake from glacial margin moraines, beach ridges, sand dunes, river channels, to modern features of the shoreline and offshore. Modern processes of shore erosion and offshore deposition will also be discussed in the context of human induced changes in the sediment dynamics of the lake basin and contributing watersheds.

Weeds Watch Out! Workshop, Jaimy George, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County

Are you concerned about the spread of invasive aquatic plants in Oneida Lake? Jaimy George will discuss various projects throughout Central New York to control infestations of water chestnut and other invasive plants.

Innovative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems For Oneida Lake Shorefront Properties, Geoffrey Snyder, Madison County Department of Environmental Health/On-Site Training Network

Geoff Snyder will provide an update on proposed changes in the sanitary code for onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) expected to be enacted within a year by New York State. He will also present information on various innovative technologies. Representative installation costs and annual maintenance costs will be provided, as well as pictures showing these technologies installed in the field.

Cormorant Control on Oneida Lake, Elizabeth Squiers, Wildlife Services Department at the USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

The double-crested cormorant is a large, fish-eating water bird that has been federally protected since 1972 by amendments to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Cormorants are colonial birds that nest in high densities in areas with abundant fish. They were first observed in significant numbers on Oneida Lake in 1984, and by 2001 they consumed an estimated 2.8 million fish, including walleye and yellow perch. Elizabeth Squires will discuss the control techniques currently being implemented on Oneida Lake by the USDA APHIS.

Invasive Species in Oneida Lake: A History of Biotic Crises and Introductions, Dr. Edward Mills, Cornell University Biological Field Station and David White, New York Sea Grant

Since the settlement of North America by Europeans nearly 250 years ago, human activities have facilitated biological invasions, resulting in negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems such as Oneida Lake. A notable activity that influenced Oneida Lake's ecology was the construction of the Erie-Barge Canal. The potential for inoculation of Oneida Lake with organisms from distant continents became more pronounced with the completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959. These waterways provided a pathway for the invasion of hundreds and perhaps thousands of organisms into New York's waters. Learn more about how Oneida Lake has been changed and enjoy a hands-on interactive discussion regarding new opportunities and initiatives.

Local History of the Oneida Lake Region, Jack Henke, teacher and historian

Jack Henke's lecture will provide an overview of Oneida Lake history, with an emphasis on the lake area's development amidst state and national trends. The lecture is richly illustrated with color slides.