Syracuse.com - Feb. 13-17: Ice fishing bonanza continues for Central New York anglers

HuntingNY-News · February 13, 2013

Hot spots on Oneida Lake include Chapman Park, Lewis Point and Big Bay.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

SALMON RIVER

Water level is up. Lots of steelhead continue to be caught in upper river, particularly above the School House Pool and beyond. Use egg sacs, trout beads, flies and pink worms.

OSWEGO RIVER

The water level is up. Anglers are catching lots of browns and few steelhead using white bucktail jigs (3/8 oz.). Make sure bring to bring a long-handled net, advised one angler. The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones below the Varick Dam.

ONEIDA LAKE

Most of the lake was frozen. Upper north shore, though, is a little slushy. Hot spots include Chapman Park, Lewis Point and Big Bay. Anglers continue to catch lots of perch and panfish, along with some walleye.

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers continue to get out on the northern end, catching lots of perch and pickerel. Some are fishing down by the power plant in Lansing on the eastern side, catching trout from shore using large shiners as bait.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch 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.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers are getting out on the southern end. Still about 4-5 inches of ice at mid-week. They’re catching lots of perch, panfish, northern pike and the occasional brown trout.

OTISCO LAKE

Entire lake is frozen. Reports of 5 inches of ice at northern end. Reports of lots of perch and panfish being caught, along with a few nice tiger muskies. One angler pulled a 42-incher through the ice last weekend.

SKANEATELES LAKE

A few yellow perch and a few rainbow trout are being caught through the ice at the southern end, according to one bait shop owner.

SODUS BAY

The bay is sporting 5-6 inches of ice, along with about 3-4 inches of slush at mid-week. Fishing is “fair,” according to one bait shop owner. Lots of small perch being caught.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers continue to get out on Lake of the Isles, Eel, Goose and Chippewa bays to catch northerns and perch. Ice is about 8 inches thick in most places.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

About 8 inches at ice at mid-week. Anglers fishing at the northern end are picking up some walleyes, along with a few crappie. Access is limited this time of year. A good place to park is Dorchester Park.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog