Syracuse.com - Dec. 14-16: Thanks to rain, both Salmon and Oswego river levels are up; Seneca Lake perch fishing scene producing some nice-sized fish

[HuntingNY-News]

As weather gets colder, the die-hard muskie fishermen on the St. Lawrence River get more determined. This is the time of year when they usually catch big ones.

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 river has been up this week. 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. The upper fly section is closed for the season on Nov. 30. It will open on April 1.

OSWEGO RIVER

River level is up. There’s still lots of steelhead and brown trout being caught – particularly by the drift boat guys. 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 below the Varick Dam.

ONEIDA LAKE

Shoreline fishing for walleyes continues to be slow, but will continue until the ice forms. Few perch anglers have been out lately. Nothing new to report on that front.

CAYUGA LAKE

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

SENECA LAKE

Anglers are cashing in on the perch action at the lake’s southern end off the pier. Successful anglers are using both fathead minnows and oak leaf grubs, alternating back and forth. Lots of nice- sized perch, some in the 15-17-inch range, being taken. Brown and landlocked salmon are still in Catharine Creek. Try egg sacks and worms. Anglers are also catching northern pike on the southeast corner of the lake at Clute Park, casting Little Cleos, Mepps and Rooster Tails.

OWASCO LAKE

Yellow perch fishing continues to be good, with fathead minnows working well.

OTISCO LAKE

No new fishing activity to report. The current lake level (it’s low) has made launching larger boats tricky for some anglers.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Shore fishing for rainbows continues to be 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. They are being taken in 25 to 35 feet of water. Jigs tipped with spikes or small minnows are working well.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Muskie anglers continue to be 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. The water level continues to be down more than usual for this time of year.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

The docks have been removed from Dorchester Park. Panfishing continues to be very good lately 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