Syracuse.com - Jan. 18-20: Central New York ice fishing scene remains sketchy

HuntingNY-News · January 17, 2013

A word of caution: If you do decide to venture out, remember ice thickness can vary greatly, even on the same water. Use extreme caution and good judgment.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

The steelhead bite continues to be slow for most anglers. Slush ice has been less of a problem this week with the warmer temperatures. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh), trout beads, pink worms and stonefly patterns.

OSWEGO RIVER

Fishing has been more difficult with the higher water, but some steelhead and brown trout are still being caught. The higher water makes access difficult in some areas for shore anglers, but drift boat anglers typically do better with the higher water. Good baits continue to be egg sacs, beads, and egg imitating flies. Remember the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam.

ONEIDA LAKE

Most of the fishable ice melted this past week. Cold temperatues could bring the ice back by next week. No promises for this weekend.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch and black crappie are being caught from the pier on fathead minnows, wax worms and spikes. After catching a few fish on one type of bait, if action slows down, switch types. This has been working to keep the bite active. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are hitting on stickbaits fished around the salt plant. Lake trout are also hitting around the salt plant on egg sacs and small minnows. Fishing there after dark is also working for the lake trout.

CAYUGA LAKE, OWASCO LAKE, CAZENOVIA LAKE, OTISCO LAKE, SODUS BAY, SKANEATELES LAKE, WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

No fishable ice at mid-week. No promises for this weekend.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

There’s fishable ice (3-5 inches) on Lake of the Isles, Chippewa Bay and Goose Bay. Anglers are fishing for northern pike and perch.

A word of caution: If you do decide to venture out, remember ice thickness can vary greatly, even on the same water. Use extreme caution and good judgment. Some safety measures to follow are: use a spud and check ice thickness as you venture out, fish with a buddy and bring a rope and ice-picks.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog