Syracuse.com - Shoreline Hotspot: Under the Route 481 bridge on the Oneida River (ninth in a series)

[HuntingNY-News]

"It's actually near part of the Old Erie Canal -- a shortcut on the Oneida River, " said Jim Daher, of Mickey's Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse.

John Berry/The Post-StandardHector Vergara fishes with his grandson Anthony Vergara, 8, at the NYS DEC fishing access site to the Oneida River, located along Bonstead Road in the town of Clay. They both live in Liverpool.

It's one of those local fishing spots that's hottest in the spring and fall. However, anglers continue to frequent the shoreline under the Route 481 bridge spanning the Oneida River throughout the summer.

"It's actually near part of the Old Erie Canal -- a shortcut on the Oneida River, " said Jim Daher, of Mickey's Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse.

"The locals call it 'Big Ben.' When the shortcut was made, Horseshoe Island was created, " he added.

The site under the overpass includes a parking lot, a state Department of Environmental Conservation-maintained boat launch and a dock.

"It's a real hot spot in the spring for panfish using bobbers, along with minnows or jigs tipped with spikes. Also top-water lures, " Daher said. "Anglers catch crappie, perch, bluegill and sunfish."

Others, he said, bottom fish for catfish.

During the summer, he added, there's a lot weeds.

"Your best bet now is to cast out a bobber with a minnow on it for bass, or to use a top-water lure, " he said.

Local bass fishermen frequently use the launch for weekly bass fishing tournaments.

"A good place to fish for bass is off the dock, when the boats aren't being launched, " Daher said.

Bass angler Mike Cusano, of Clay, who occasionally launches his boat there, said he's seen shore anglers pull in carp, catfish and a variety of panfish.

"Along with both largemouth and smallmouth bass, " he added.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog