Syracuse.com - Jan. 31-Feb: Mid-week thaw slows ice fishing action

[HuntingNY-News]

CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER The bite continues to be good for steelhead, particularly in the upper river above Pineville. The river level at mid-week was low, but melting run-off should increase the water flow. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh), trout beads, pink worms, waxworms and stonefly...

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

The bite continues to be good for steelhead, particularly in the upper river above Pineville. The river level at mid-week was low, but melting run-off should increase the water flow. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh), trout beads, pink worms, waxworms and stonefly patterns.

OSWEGO RIVER

Ice broke free at mid-week behind the motels downtown, allowing anglers to finally wet their lines. The water level was low and clear early in the week, but the flow should increase with the melting snow. Anglers are using a variety of lures/baits including white bucktails, white jigs and egg sacs, along with plastic baits such as Sassy Shads (3 to 4 inches).

ONEIDA LAKE

Many anglers were out over the weekend. Lots of walleye caught, particularly on the east end. By mid-week, the fishing had slowed considerably because of the warm weather. Anglers have their fingers crossed that lower temperatures later this week will freeze things back up for the weekend.

SENECA LAKE

A lot of perch continue to be caught off the public pier in Watkins Glen. Anglers are using perch minnows, wax worms. They’re also getting a few rainbows using eggs and pike minnows off the rock wall, near the pier.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Ice was fishable this weekend at both the northern and southern ends. By mid-week, anglers were taking a break, with only a few trying the southern end. A few days of cold weather could thicken the ice back up by the weekend.

CAYUGA LAKE

Ice was fishable last weekend and earlier in the week. The mid-week warm weather has slowed, but hasn’t deterred anglers. Lots of perch being caught on fathead minnows.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers were fishing earlier in the week at the southern end. No reports on ice thickness.

CAZENOVIA LAKE

Anglers were out over the weekend and lots of crappie and bluegills were caught, particularly on the north end. The mid-week thaw has slowed things down. Colder temperatures at the end of this week should revive things.

OTISCO LAKE

Anglers were out in hordes this past weekend and continuing to get out this week, despite the warm weather. Some anglers landed tiger muskies – including one that measured 41 inches, according to one source.

SODUS BAY

Anglers were out this past weekend and up through Tuesday. The warm weather has caused many to pause.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Despite warm weather at mid-week, anglers were getting out. Lake the Isles and Eel Bay still had 7-8 inches of ice. Lots of perch being caught, mainly on grubs and fathead minnows.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Lots of anglers out over the weekend. No reports on status of ice at mid-week.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog