Syracuse.com - April 4-7: Cold weather put a chill on trout bite, but things should warm up soon

[HuntingNY-News]

Just a reminder that northern pike, pickerel, tiger musky and walleye season is closed until May 4.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

* Reminder:Trout season began Monday (April 1). Northern pike, pickerel, tiger musky and walleye season is closed until May 4.

Bait stores (list and map).

INLAND TROUT STREAMS Stocked streams include: Cayuga County: Fall Creek; Madison County: Otselic River; Onondaga County: Nine Mile Creek, Onondaga Creek; West Br. Onondaga Creek, Tannery Creek, Spafford Brook, Furnace Brook, Fabius Brook, Limestone Creek, West Br. Limestone Creek, Geddes Brook, Carpenters Brook, Butternut Creek, and Skaneateles Creek. (Hotline number is (315) 689-0003) Tompkins County: Buttermilk Creek, Salmon Creek, Fall Creek and Six Mile Creek.

SALMON RIVER

The steelhead bite has been hot one day and cold the next. Fish are still being caught throughout the river, though, with reports of "fresh fish" being caught. A fresh fish is a steelhead that has recently entered the river and is still bright colored, often called a"chromer." There have been few reports of spawning or spawned out fish at this time. The area between Altmar and Pulaski continues to see the most pressure. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, pink or chartreuse mesh), beads, pink worms, and woolly buggers, along with night crawlers.

OSWEGO RIVER

Anglers fishing behind the downtown hotels continue to catch nice 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.

ONEIDA LAKE

Few anglers out in boats, most are shore fishing for panfish along the Route 481 bridge overpass on the Seneca River. Bullhead action has not started yet.

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 and crappie. Those catching trout in the lake are seeing many with lamprey attached or with scars.

SENECA LAKE

Anglers having lots of luck in Catharine Creek, using chartreuse egg sacs. One angler this week landed an 11-pound rainbow trout, measuring 36 inches. Those getting out in boats are doing well vertical jigging for lake trout.Try a Swedish Pimple or a large spoon. Reminder: catch limit on western Finger Lakes, beginning with Seneca Lake, is one rainbow a day.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers getting out in boats are catching a lot of perch, using fathead minnows.; Anglers are also catching lake trout using medium-sized shiners around Ensinore. Trout anglers are catching brown trout in the Inlet using worms and egg sacs.

OTISCO LAKE

No safe ice and no new fishing activity.

SKANEATELES LAKE

The DEC launch has been opened and docks are in.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Some anglers continue to go out on the ice, particularly around Lake of the Isles,but conditions are questionable.

SODUS BAY

Anglers are catching crappies and bluegills off the bridge, using jigs and spikes and minnows.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

No safe ice and no new fishing activity.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog