Syracuse.com - April 11- 14: Bullhead action begins on Oneida Lake

[HuntingNY-News]

When the wind isn't blowing too hard and anglers can get out on Lake Ontario, they are getting some brown trout in 10-15 feet of water on stickbaits.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

* Reminders:Trout season began Monday (April 1). Northern pike, pickerel, tiger musky and walleye season is closed until May 4. Finger Lakes Tributary fishing is from sunrise to sunset through May 15.

INLAND TROUT STREAMS: Stocked streams at this point include: Cayuga County: Fall Creek; Cortland County: Otselic River; Madison County: Canaseraga Creek, Chenango River, Cowaselon Creek, Old Chenango Canal, Oneida Creek, Sangerfield River, and the 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: Enfield Creek, Virgil Creek, Buttermilk Creek, Salmon Creek, Fall Creek and Sixmile Creek.

LAKE ONTARIO

When the wind isn't blowing too hard and anglers can get out, they are getting some brown trout in 10-15 feet of water on stickbaits.

SALMON RIVER

Water is up. Fishing is still good. The steelhead bite has been hot one day and cold the next. Fish are still being caught throughout the river, though, with occasional reports of "fresh fish" being caught, but most are "drop backs." A fresh fish is a steelhead that has recently entered the river and is still bright colored, often called a"chromer." A drop back is a fish that's already spawned. 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

With the higher water, fishing behind the hotels is a good option for shore anglers. Anglers continue to get steelhead and some nice brown trout with egg sacs working well.

ONEIDA LAKE

Bullhead action has started, with reports of lots of anglers along the north shore, specifically around Cleveland. Anglers fishing for panfish are finding success fishing from shore on the Seneca and Oneida rivers. Many fishing around Horseshoe Island or the Morgan Road bridge. The DEC has been busy this week collecting eggs from spawning walleye at the Constantia hatchery. This is open to the public. The hatchery is open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. For more, call 623-7311.

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers trolling stickbaits near the surface are catching brown trout on the south end. Lake trout are being taken by anglers vertical jigging in 125 to 150 feet of water. Anglers fishing the north end are getting some yellow perch on minnows or spikes. Tributary action for spawning rainbow trout should pick up shortly, if it hasn't already.

SENECA LAKE

Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are hitting on salmon flies and stickbaits trolled on the surface. Lake trout are hitting spoons and flasher and flies fished 60 to 150 feet down. Anglers fishing off the pier are catching yellow perch, bluegills and a few black crappies. The panfish are hitting on fathead minnows and waxworms. 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.

OTISCO LAKE

No new fishing activity to report.

SKANEATELES LAKE

The DEC launch has been opened and docks are in. Some anglers are getting out to fish for perch.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Ice is gone and anglers are getting in boats. Reports of good perch fishing around Kring's Point. Use fathead minnows and worms.

SODUS BAY

Anglers continue to catch crappies and bluegills off the bridge, using jigs and spikes and minnows.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

No new fishing activity to report.

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