Syracuse.com - Dec. 7-9: Steelhead bite slows on Salmon River with snow and cold weather

[HuntingNY-News]

Although it's been slow, shoreline fishing for walleyes on Oneida Lake will continue until the ice forms.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

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

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

The steelhead bite has slowed down with the snow and cold weather. Fish are still being caught throughout river but anglers have had to work harder for them. Good baits are egg sacs (blue mesh), egg imitating flies and plastics, trout beads (8mm) and streamers such as egg sucking leeches and stonefly patterns in sizes 4-6. If not catching fish keep covering water looking for active fish. As the water cools down the deeper pools (like the School House and Trestle) are good spots to try. The Upper Fly section closed for the season on Nov. 30. It will reopen on April 1.

OSWEGO RIVER

There are steelhead and brown trout being caught in the river. Drift boat anglers have been doing better with the slightly higher water. Good baits continue to be 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

Conditions have been cold and windy on the lake lately. Shoreline fishing for walleyes will continue until the ice forms. However, water is low and that has limited the available fishing areas. Few, if any perch anglers out lately. Nothing new to report from that area.

CAYUGA LAKE

Yellow perch are being taken in the north end on fathead minnows. Landlocked salmon are being caught on the lake from the surface down to about 80 feet on spoons and stickbaits (minnow- imitating plugs).

SENECA LAKE

Fishing off the pier has been very good during the day for brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Anglers fishing there latter in the afternoon and after dark are catching lake trout. Egg sacs and small minnows have been working for both. Yellow perch are also being caught from the pier and by Painted Rock on small minnows. If fishing around Painted Rock, look in the 30 to 40 foot range.

OWASCO LAKE

Yellow perch fishing has been good with fathead minnows working well.

OTISCO LAKE

No new fishing activity to report.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Shore fishing for rainbows has been slow. A few are being caught with worm marshmallow rigs, but overall it's been a slow fall. Yellow perch are biting on fathead minnows.

SODUS BAY

Yellow perch fishing continues to be good with perch moving a little shallower and are being taken in 20 to 30 feet of water. Jigs tipped with spikes or small minnows are working well.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Muskie anglers are out this time of year, hoping to hook a big one. Many are using Believer lures. Other anglers are trying their luck at yellow perch and northern pike. River level is really down, more than usual for this time of year.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

The reservoir has returned to normal levels after being drawn down for maintenance. The docks have been removed from Dorchester Park. Panfishing has been very good on the reservoir, with crappies and yellow perch being taken along the old river channel on small jigs or spoons tipped with spikes. Some bluegills are also being taken mixed in with the crappie. Walleye fishing continues to be slow.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog