Syracuse.com - Oct. 26-28: Abundance of gizzard shad affecting Oneida walleye bite; Whitney Point Reservoir place to go for crappies

[HuntingNY-News]

Steelhead and brown trout fishing is beginning to pick up in the lower Salmon River.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Just another reminder that the new fishing license year started Oct. 1. There are also some new regulations that have kicked in. For more, see the DEC’s 2012-13 Freshwater Fishing Guide.

Bait stores (list and map).

LAKE ONTARIO

The lake fishing is pretty much over for the year.

SALMON RIVER

There are good numbers of salmon spawning throughout the river. Good baits are egg-imitating flies and plastics, and streamers such as egg-sucking leeches. Steelhead and brown trout fishing is beginning to improve in the lower river, as these fish enter to feed on the abundant salmon eggs. Good baits are egg sacs and egg imitating flies and plastics. The lower fly fishing section is closed until next Wednesday. The upper fly section is open.

OSWEGO RIVER

There are still good numbers of salmon throughout the river, along with a few brown trout and steelhead. Remember that the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are new Mandatory Personal Flotation Device Zones on the river below Varick Dam.

ONEIDA LAKE

Anglers fishing from shore at night continue to pick up walleye, but the large number of gizzard shad in the lake this year has had a negative effect on number being caught. Anglers are catching them on stickbaits, such as the Challenger Junior Minnow and Storm Junior ThunderStick. Lots of small perch are still being taken with fathead minnows along weed lines, and a few larger ones as well.

CAYUGA LAKE

Little to report. No word on the tributary fishing for brown trout or Atlantic salmon.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch are being caught on the south end off the pier and by the salt plant. Smallmouth bass are also being caught off the pier.

OWASCO LAKE

Panfishing has been good around the lake with worms, fathead minnows and if you can find them, spikes working well. Vertical jigging with plastics in 75 to 110 feet of water had been producing lake trout on the north end but no word if that bite was still going on.

OTISCO LAKE

No new fishing information. The current lake level has made launching larger boats tricky for some anglers.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Bass fishing has picked up again along the shore with minnows, tube jigs and drop-shot rigs working. Anglers are also beginning to get a few rainbows from shore on marshmallow and worm rigs. Yellow perch fishing is also starting to pick up on the lake.

SODUS BAY

Yellow perch are being caught in deep water, 25 to 30 feet on small minnows. The low water is making launching boats difficult for some.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Nothing new to report. Many anglers have been targeting muskies lately.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

The crappie bite has picked up lately. Some have been reported in the 12-15 inch range. Use fathead minnows and jigs.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog