Syracuse.com - CNY Shoreline hot spots: The state pull-off/boat launch on the Seneca River off Route 5&20 (fourth in a series)

[HuntingNY-News]

.People fishing from shore catch bullhead, carp, catfish, gar, sheepshead — and occasionally some bass and northern pike

Stephen Cannerelli/The Post-StandardDick Worski ,of Savannah, fishes for bullheads along the Seneca River at the Route 5 and 20 bridge near the Montezuma National Wildlife Reserve. His girlfriend, Pat Tallcot, of Auburn, enjoys taking her dogs Muffin and Sparky on fishing trips.

It’s one of those spots where you always seem to see someone fishing.

It’s the state pull-off just over the bridge spanning the Seneca River on Route 5 and 20, right on the Cayuga and Seneca county border. Actually, the pull-off is on the southwestern side of the road in Seneca County.

There’s a parking lot, along with a boat launch. There’s no charge. There’s also no bathroom facilities.

Dick Worski, of Savannah, often fishes at the site. He said he’s caught a lot of nice bullheads from shore in the 10- to 14-inch range.

“It’s a good place to relax,” he said. “It’s also a good launch. It’s big enough to get a party boat in there.”

Brad Smith, of Montezuma, a fishing sales associate at the Bass Pro Shops store in the Fingerlakes Mall just up the road, said he and his uncle often launch their boat at the site.

“People fishing from shore catch bullhead, carp, catfish, gar, sheepshead — and occasionally some bass and northern pike,” Smith said. “I once caught a 22-inch brown trout. My uncle says they’re in there, but I wouldn’t cross my fingers over catching a brown.”

Smith said springtime is the best time to fish there from shore.

“That’s when fish are most active and aggressive,” he said. “By mid-summer, things slow down. The warm temperature makes the fish lethargic.”

If you go down this time of year, Smith recommends bringing plenty of bug spray.

“From late spring to winter, the mosquitoes are nasty,” he said, and laughed.

He said the spot has no shortage of fish.

“You can stand on shore and look out into the river and you’ll see fish jumping all day,” he said. “The problem is getting them to hit.”

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog