Syracuse.com - Feb. 25- March 3: Ice is melting, but many anglers still getting out

[HuntingNY-News]

Anglers are still getting out on places like Oneida Lake and Otisco Lake.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

The river level has dropped a little, but the water is discolored. The bite continues to be good for steelhead, particularly in the upper river above Pineville. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh) and trout beads

OSWEGO RIVER

The river has dropped a bit. Brown trout bite continues to be good, particularly better behind the motels downtown. Anglers are also 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).

SANDY POND

With warm weather and rain this week, ice was 4-5 inches but questionable in spots.

ONEIDA LAKE

The lake’s ice fishing hotspots continue to be off Chapman Park (way out, almost a mile) with anglers catching jumbo perch in 40 foot of water using 3/8- to ½-ounce jigging spoons, tipped with buckeye minnows. Others are catching perch and walleye off Lewis Point and Jewell. The safest ice continues to be at the eastern end of the lake. Big Bay, though, is generating some sunfish and bluegill. Ice is slick, stay on the beaten path.

SENECA LAKE

A lot of perch continue to be caught off the public pier in Watkins Glen. Anglers are using perch minnows, wax worms, maggots and large shiners. They’re also getting a few landlock salmon from boats and from shore. Anglers on the shore are casting spoons, and those in boards are using streamers. Pike are also being caught on Red Devil spoons and large shiners.

SKANEATELES LAKE

No fishable ice.

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers are still going, but ice is getting thin – 3 inches at best.

CAZENOVIA LAKE

Fish only at the north end only. Lots of perch, sunfish and a few crappie being caught.

OWASCO LAKE

Ice at southern end is questionable, only about 3 inches at best at mid-week.

OTISCO LAKE

Still fishable at the northern end by the dam and other parts of the lake. Lake is still frozen over. Perch and tiger muskies continue to be caught.

SODUS BAY

One bait store owner said there’s still fishable ice, 6-10 inches. Lots of perch being caught of varying sizes, along with a few northerns and walleyes.

SANDY POND

Ice fishing has been good lately. Ice is 6-8 inches. Lots of pike and perch being caught, along with some crappie.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers catching lots of nice-sized perch the past few days. Hot spots include Lake of the Isles and Eel Bay.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Rain has produced “sloppy conditions” on the reservoir. Still about 8-9 inches of ice, though. Fishing has slowed, but anglers are still catching crappie and perch at the northern end.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog