A Changing History

A Changing History. Onondaga History. The 17th century abundance of salmon trout, whitefish, and eel attracted the Native Americans to the shores of "Gannetaha" where they would construct temporary fishing villages., Throughout the late 1800's, Onondaga Lake whitefish was a delicacy in New York city markets and restaurants., However, industrial pollution and sewage in the first half of the twentieth century turned the metropolitan lake into one of the country's most contaminated water bodies, with 1928 surveys showing only 10 species of fish. , In 1972, fishing was banned because of mercury contamination. Since that time, fishery monitoring, investments in waste water collection and treatment systems and public education have resulted in marked water quality improvements. , In 1986, the fishing ban was modified to allow catch and release. In 1999, the advisory on consumption of gamefish was revised. Fifty-four species of fish have been captured in the lake since 1990, with sport fishing for large and small-mouth bass drawing national acclaim.