Largemouth bass fishing begins on early warm March days in the shallow coves close to deep water. Live nightcrawlers are especially effective. Later, as the water temperature warms into the 60s, the shallow bays should be fished with artificial nightcrawlers and spinners. Cadillac Bay and the upper portions of the lake in the lily pads, especially the bays off State Route 147, should be productive.

During the summer, the shore should be worked during early morning and evening hours with topwater plugs and artificial nightcrawlers. During the day, long sloping points should be fished with spinners, bottom bouncing lures, or deep-diving plugs. Dropoffs, old road beds, and old creek channels are also good.

Striped bass can be caught using live shad or large shad style baits. The area around the dam up to the big island is the best area to catch them. There is a 26 inch length limit with a daily bag limit of 1.

White bass fishing can be very good in the spring. Good fishing locations include any main lake point and by the dam.

Seneca Lake has a good crappie population. The use of minnows and small jigs around brushy shorelines or fallen tree-tops should produce action during April, May, and June.

Bluegills can be taken over the entire lake by live bait fishermen using worms or by fly fishermen using small poppers and rubber spiders.

Good fishing for channel catfish and bullheads can also be experienced. The use of nightcrawlers, shrimp, chicken liver, or prepared catfish bait fished on the bottom at night is recommended. The designated trotline area in the upper end of the lake is worth trying.