Syracuse.com - March 20-24: Ice fishing season almost over; time to start getting ready for trout opener

[HuntingNY-News]

Seasons for walleyes, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskie closed March 15. They reopen the first Saturday in May.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

* Reminder: Seasons for walleyes, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskie closed March 15. The season reopens the first Saturday in May.

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

Lots of fish continue to be caught throughout the river. The steelhead are spawning and brown trout are coming in from the lake to eat their eggs. Anglers continue to have luck using egg sacs, trout beads, flies and pink worms. Bright-colored flies or bait works best.

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

Ice fishing scene appears to be finished, though a few anglers are still gettting out on questionable ice. Others are fishing from shore in open water along the Seneca River.

CAYUGA LAKE

Some anglers are fishing down by the power plant in Lansing on the eastern side, catching trout from shore using large shiners as bait. A few are getting out in boats to fish for perch.

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 continues for a few hours after dark.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers are fishing from boats on the north end, catching bluegills and perch. Anglers out in boats are also catching lake trout using medium-sized shiners around Ensinore.

OTISCO LAKE

The northern end was still frozen at mid-week. A few anglers continue to get out to try their luck for panfish.

SKANEATELES LAKE

No fishable ice. The DEC launch ramp is still closed and will remain so until conditions improve

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers continue to get out ice fishing on Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles, Goose and Chippewa bays for perch, crappie and bluegills.

SODUS BAY/SANDY CREEK/WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

No fishable ice.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog