Syracuse.com - Dec. 21-23: Salmon/Oswego river fishing scenes have slowed, but fish are still being caught

[HuntingNY-News]

Don't forget: 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.

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. Fish are still being caught throughout river, but anglers have had to work harder for them. Good baits are egg sacs (blue and chartreuse mesh), egg-imitating flies and plastics, trout beads 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.

OSWEGO RIVER

Fishing has slowed, but there are steelhead and brown trout still being caught. Drift boat anglers have been doing better with the 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 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.

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 fathead minnows and oak leaf grubs, alternating back and forth. Lots of nice perch, some in the 15- to 17-inch range, are being taken. Anglers are also still 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 low water level has made launching larger boats tricky.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Shore fishing for rainbows continues to be slow. A few are being caught with worm-marshmallow rigs, but overall it continues to be slow. Yellow perch are still being caught on fathead minnows.

SODUS BAY

Yellow perch fishing continues to be good. They are being taken in 25 to 35 feet. Jigs tipped with spikes or small minnows are working.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

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.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog