Syracuse.com - Nov. 9-11: Steelhead scene developing on Salmon and Oswego rivers

[HuntingNY-News]

Don't forget. All persons aboard a pleasure vessel (boat, canoe, kayak) less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device from now until May 1.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

All persons aboard a pleasure vessel (boat, canoe, kayak) less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device from now until May 1.

SALMON RIVER

Both the lower and upper fly fishing sections are open. There are still some coho salmon spawning in the mid-to-upper river in the riffle areas, but their days are numbered. Steelhead fishing has picked up in the lower river as these fish enter to feed on the abundant salmon eggs. Good baits are egg-imitating flies and plastics, and streamers such as egg-sucking leeches. Other lures working right now include blue egg sacs, stonefly patterns in sizes 6-8, and 10mm Ontari-roe beads.

OSWEGO RIVER

The main sportfish in the river right now are steelhead and brown trout, with driftboat anglers having success. The salmon run is just about over. Good baits have been egg sacs, beads and egg-imitating flies. The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam.

ONEIDA LAKE

Yellow perch fishing has been good in 12 to 15 feet, with worms and fathead minnows working. A few walleye are being taken by shore anglers casting stickbaits (minnow-imitating plugs like Rapalas or Storm Thundersticks) at night. Overall though, the fall walleye fishing continues to be slow, and anglers have really had to work to get a few fish. Generally during the fall, walleye move into the shallows just before and after dark to feed on gizzard shad. Casting stickbaits in black and silver or blue and silver usually works for these fish. Try fishing in Big Bay, off Cleveland and near buoys 119 and 121.

CAYUGA LAKE

With the low water, there is still no salmon or brown trout activity to report in the tributaries.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch are being caught on the south end off the pier, near the salt plant and in the vicinity of Severne Point. Northern pike fishing has been good on the south end. Try large minnows fished under a bobber. There were very few reports from trout anglers, but jigging for lake trout should be good near points.

OWASCO LAKE

Panfishing continues to be good around the lake. Use worms and fathead minnows. Vertical jigging with plastics in 75 to 110 feet on the north end is still producing lake trout.

OTISCO LAKE

No new information. The current lake level continues to make launching larger boats tricky for some anglers.

SKANEATELES LAKE

A few yellow perch, bass and an occasional rainbow are being caught, but overall the fishing has been slow. Try the north end for smallmouth. Use hard and soft jerkbaits, tubes and hair jigs.

SODUS BAY

Yellow perch are being caught in 20 feet off points on jigs tipped with spikes. The low water is making launching boats difficult for some.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER The water is still low. Muskie anglers are out, but there have been no reports of noteworthy catches.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

The reservoir has returned to normal levels after being drawn for maintenance. Launching boats is no longer a problem. Because of the interruption there hasn’t been much in the way of fishing reports. However, due to the time of the year, walleye fishing should be good using stickbaits such as Rapalas, and also by jigging.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog