Syracuse.com - Oct. 5-7: Salmon River derby set for this weekend; shoreline walleye bite on Oneida Lake picking up

[HuntingNY-News]

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Water level at Whitney Point Reservoir remains low, making it difficult for larger motor boats to launch. Try fishing from a kayak, canoe or jon boat.

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<p><strong>CNY FISHING FORECAST </strong><br />Just a reminder that the new fishing license year started Oct. 1. There’s also some new regulations that kicked in. For more, see the DEC’s 2012-13 Freshwater Fishing Guide.</p>

<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100355764367821392533.00048c1449e56444f07e7&z=7">Bait stores (list and map).</a> </p>

<p><strong>LAKE ONTARIO</strong> <br />As more salmon make their way into the rivers the lake fishing is beginning to wind down. There are still salmon being taken in the lake at the mouths of rivers, but getting out with the strong winds we've had lately has been difficult.<br /> <br /><strong>SALMON RIVER</strong> <br />The second Annual Salmon River Fishing Derby starts today and continues through Sunday. Meanwhile, salmon and coho are throughout the river. . Steelhead are also starting to come in. The lower fly section is closed until Oct. 31. The upper fly section is open.<br /> <br /><strong>OSWEGO RIVER</strong> <br />There are salmon throughout the river, along with a few brown trout. Remember the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are new Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the river below the Varick Dam.<br /> <br /><strong>ONEIDA LAKE</strong> <br />Walleye fishing from shore at night has perked up recently. Anglers are catching them on stickbaits, such as the Challenger Junior Minnow and Storm Junior ThunderStick. Lots of small perch being taken with fathead minnows, along weed lines, and few larger ones as well.<br /> <br /><strong>CAYUGA LAKE</strong> <br />Trout and salmon fishing continues to be slow on Cayuga. Fishing 80 to 110 feet down with flasher and flies was producing a few lake trout as was vertical jigging in 80 to 100 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good on the north end with a variety of plastic baits working.<br /> <br /><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong> <br />Trout and salmon fishing continues to be slow. A few lake trout are hitting Spin Doctors and flies fished 70 to 90 feet down. Yellow perch fishing has picked up recently, with fish being caught on the south end, and by the salt plant.</p>

<p><strong>OWASCO LAKE</strong> <br />Reports of “lots of perch and bass” being caught on crayfish and fathead minnows.</p>

<p><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong> <br />A few tiger musky are being taken by anglers casting large spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Bass fishing has been good in the north end. The current lake level has made launching tricky for some.<br /><strong><br />SKANEATELES LAKE</strong> <br />Bass fishing continues to be be good along the shore with tube jigs, drop-shot rigs and spinnerbaits – along with live crayfish. Yellow perch and rock bass are also biting on the south end with small minnows or jigs working.<br /> <br /><strong>SODUS BAY</strong> <br />Yellow perch are being caught in deep water on small minnows. Northern pike are hitting on spoons and large spinners. Bass fishing continues to be good with spinnerbaits and a variety of plastics working. As mentioned above, salmon are also being taken off the pier by anglers casting spoons. The low water is making launching boats difficult for some.</p>

<p><strong>ST. LAWRENCE RIVER</strong> <br />Water is low. Bass and pike still hitting pretty good, and perch bite has picked up a little recently. Muskie fishing season is just getting started. Could use some cooler temperatures.</p>

<p><strong>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />The reservoir level continues to be drawn down to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to do needed work. It’s hard for anglers to get larger boats in and out. Fishing from a kayak, canoe or a jon boat is the way to go. </p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog