Syracuse.com - Nov. 16-18: Steelhead action continues to pick up on Salmon/Oswego rivers

[HuntingNY-News]

Anglers report that on Cayuga Lake, with the lake's low water, there is still no salmon or brown trout activity to report in the tributaries.

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.

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

Both the lower and upper fly fishing sections are open. Steelhead fishing has been very good throughout the river. With the colder nights we have been experiencing the fish have been lethargic in the morning and become more aggressive as temperatures rise later in the day. Some nice brown trout are also being caught as well. Good baits are egg imitating flies and plastics, and streamers such as egg sucking leeches and stonefly patterns in sizes 4-6.

OSWEGO RIVER

There are good numbers of steelhead in the river right now along with a few brown trout. The salmon run is 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 improved in 30 feet of water with worms and fathead minnows working. The walleye appear to have moved into deeper water, but action continues to be fairly slow. Large numbers of young gizzard shad in the lake have kept the walleye well fed and may account for the mediocre fishing. Casting black and silver or blue and silver stickbaits usually works well for walleye. Try fishing in Big Bay, off Cleveland and near buoys 113 and 115.

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 to report.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Lake trout are moving near the points now and are biting well. Smallmouth bass action has been good using jig and worm combinations. Shore fishing for rainbows has been quite slow, which is also true for landlocked salmon. The low flows in the tributaries may not be encouraging the fish to move nearshore as usually happens this time of year.

SODUS BAY

Yellow perch are being caught in 20 feet off points on jigs tipped with spikes.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Nothing new to report. Muskie anglers are out there giving it their best. No reports of noteworthy catches yet.

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