Syracuse.com - March 7-10: Anglers still getting out, but ice fishing days drawing to a close

[HuntingNY-News]

Big Bay on Oneida Lake is on fire this week, with anglers catching lots of bluegills and sunfish.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

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

OSWEGO RIVER

Anglers fishing behind the downtown hotels continue to catch brown trout and a few steelhead using egg sacs and white, bucktail jigs (3/8 ounce). Make sure bring to bring a long-handled net, advised one angler.

ONEIDA LAKE

The walleye/perch bite has slowed at Chapman Park and Lewis Point. Meanwhile, Big Bay is fire. Anglers catching lots of bluegills and sunfish at midweek.

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers are getting on the ice at 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

Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are hitting on weighted salmon flies trolled on the surface. Anglers fishing on the inside of the pier are catching yellow perch and bluegills. The yellow perch are hitting on fathead minnows and the bluegill are hitting on waxworms or spikes. The bluegill bite has been better late in the day and has continued for a few hours after dark. Casting red/white spoons on the outside of the pier has been working for northern pike with fish up to 12 pounds being taken.

OWASCO LAKE

Only about 3-4 inches of ice at the southern end. It’s getting to be a little shaky at this point. Anglers are fishing for perch, sunnies and northern pike.

OTISCO LAKE

Most of the lake is still frozen. Reports of 6-8 inches of ice at northern end. Lots of bluegills and sunnies being caught, along with a few perch and crappie, plus the occasional tiger muskie on tip-ups and minnows or suckers. Just a reminder that tiger muskie have to be at least 36 inches to keep. A couple measuring more than 40 inches were caught this past weekend.

SKANEATELES LAKE

No fishable ice.

SANDY POND

Reports of 6-10 inches of ice. Perch fishing continues to be slow, but anglers are still getting some northern pike on minnows.

SODUS BAY

The bay is sporting 5-6 inches of ice. Fishing is “fair,” according to one bait shop owner. Lots of small perch being caught.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers continue to get out on Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles, Goose and Chippewa bays to fish northerns and perch. Ice is about 8-10 inches thick in most places.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

About 8 inches at ice at mid-week. The hot spot at this point is south of the island. Anglers are picking up some nice perch. Access is limited this time of year. A good place to park is Dorchester Park.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog