How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Cortland, United States ? Today is a poor day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Cortland, New York sits in the heart of the Finger Lakes region and offers outstanding freshwater fishing on rivers, reservoirs, and nearby natural lakes. Anglers can target trout, bass, walleye, pike, and panfish in diverse fisheries like the Tioughnioga River, Cayuga Lake, and a network of small public lakes and ponds. With strong year-round opportunity, Cortland is a strategic base for multi-species freshwater fishing in upstate New York. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:48%
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First Quarter Moon
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Distance to earth:385,767 kmProximity:46.8 %
Moon Phases for Cortland
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poor Day
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major Time:05:48 am - 07:48 am
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minor Time:11:59 am - 01:59 pm
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major Time:06:21 pm - 08:21 pm
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minor Time:11:38 pm - 01:38 am
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
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Fishing Overview Cortland
Fishing around Cortland, NY centers on a mix of classic Finger Lakes water, cool trout streams, and warmwater ponds, giving anglers options in every season. Cayuga Lake’s north–south corridor, the Tioughnioga River, and nearby small lakes such as Little York Lake and Tully Lake form the core of the local fishery within a 30–40 minute drive.
Seasonal patterns are predictable if you pay attention to water temperature. In early spring, focus on trout and salmon in tributaries and nearshore zones. The Tioughnioga River and its branches hold stocked and wild trout; fish slow inside bends, pool heads, and deeper runs with small inline spinners, 1/16–1/8 oz jigs tipped with soft plastics, or size 12–16 nymphs under an indicator. On Cayuga, prespawn lake trout, browns, and landlocked salmon slide shallow, where stickbaits, small spoons, and hair jigs worked along rocky shorelines and creek mouths are consistent producers.
By late spring into summer, warmwater opportunities around Cortland really turn on. Smallmouth bass shine on Cayuga Lake’s rocky points and drop-offs; work 3–4" tube jigs, Ned rigs, and drop-shot rigs along 10–25 feet of water, especially on wind-blown structure. In local lakes like Little York and Tully, largemouth bass set up in weeds and around docks; pitch weightless soft stickbaits, Texas-rigged creature baits, and topwaters early and late in the day. Panfish such as bluegill, pumpkinseed, and perch stack along weed edges—tiny jigs tipped with grubs or worms under a float are reliable for quick action.
Through the heat of midsummer, fishing around Cortland shifts deeper and into low-light windows. On Cayuga, lake trout move to classic offshore structure: steep breaks, points, and humps in 70–120 feet. Vertical jigging 1–2 oz jigging spoons or heavy soft plastics on braid with a fluorocarbon leader is efficient, especially when paired with sonar to stay on marked schools. Nighttime is prime for walleye on regional lakes; slowly troll crankbaits or pull worm harnesses along 12–20-foot flats and breaklines after dark. In ponds and smaller lakes, downsize presentations, fish shade, and focus on the first deep weed edge.
Fall brings some of the most consistent action. Cooling water pushes bass shallower on points and flats, where reaction baits shine—medium-diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and small swimbaits cover water quickly. On Cayuga and its tributaries, salmonids respond to dropping temperatures and increased flow. Swing streamers for browns and landlocked salmon in larger pools, or drift egg patterns and small nymphs when fish are keyed on natural eggs. Pike and pickerel become aggressive in weedy bays and slow coves; throw mid-size spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and spoons along remaining green weeds.
In winter, when ice conditions allow on smaller lakes and ponds near Cortland, panfish, perch, and occasional walleye are main targets. Key on weedlines and basin transitions; 3–4 mm tungsten jigs tipped with spikes or small plastics, and deadsticks with live minnows, are standard setups. Move frequently until you mark or catch fish, then work a tight cluster of holes to follow roaming schools.
Tactical tips for Cortland-area fishing center on covering water and matching forage. Bring a versatile rod spread: a medium-light spinning setup for trout and panfish, a medium for bass and walleye, and a heavier rod for trolling or pike. Natural colors—goby, smelt, perch, and crayfish patterns—consistently match local bait. Because local fisheries range from clear, deep water to stained rivers, carry both fluorocarbon leaders for finesse work and slightly heavier mono or braid for power techniques. Pay attention to wind on Cayuga: wind-blown shores and points often outproduce calm areas, especially for smallmouth and salmonids. Finally, focus on transitions—rock-to-sand, weedline edges, depth breaks, and current seams—as these are the most reliable fish-holding spots around Cortland throughout the year.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Cortland area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Cortland. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Otter Creek - 0.89534549354km , West Branch Tioughnioga River - 1.80972399052km , East Branch Tioughnioga River - 1.80972399052km , Blue Creek - 2.73762719833km , Factory Brook - 4.55841248698km , Mosquito Creek - 7.10905044758km , Smith Brook - 7.24531581024km , Webster Brook - 8.56003162318km , Albright Creek - 9.45076869046km , Maybury Brook - 9.71603598484km , Lower Little York Lake - 10.1840964293km , Lake Como Outlet - 11.41018031604km , Upper Little York Lake - 11.51925679949km , Haights Creek - 11.82401254772km , Trout Brook - 11.84083713149km , Goodale Lake - 12.18695603367km , Green Lake - 12.84877508211km , Lake Como - 13.11699041836km , Cheningo Creek - 13.23092652455km , Callan Creek - 13.82569830325km , Pritchard Brook - 13.91349391625km , Weeks Brook - 14.68647971205km , Kenney Brook - 15.75725026149km , Egypt Creek - 16.31563329369km , Mill Brook - 16.5153095124km , Labrador Creek - 16.61224088515km , Willow Glen Creek - 16.93288744154km , Dryden Lake - 17.21741451408km , Virgil Creek - 18.16194913572km , Song Lake - 18.82747416476km , Morgan Hill Creek - 19.05121252654km , Grout Brook - 19.65543117378km , Tully Lake - 19.81454713212km , Solon Pond - 21.14107139975km , Hunts Creek - 21.39692630113km , Shackham Brook - 21.49562451595km , Tracy Lake - 21.90830751404km , Randall Gulf - 21.9654133763km , Pine Hollow Creek - 22.26591703611km , High Lake - 22.3071236484km
Harbours and
Marinas
Beaches
Bays
Wharfs
Points,Reefs,etc
Latest Catches
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