Syracuse.com - June 5-9: Strong and variable winds making it hard to fish Lake Ontario

[HuntingNY-News]

A reminder: The regular bass fishing season doesn't open until June 15. Until that time, only catch-and-release fishing is allowed.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Reminder: The regular bass fishing season doesn't begin until June 15. Up until that date, only catch-and-release bass fishing is allowed.

INLAND TROUT STREAMS: Many sections of area streams and lakes have been stocked as of May 31. They include Cayuga County: North Brook, Owasco Inlet, Salmon Creek and Fall Creek; Cortland County: Otselic River; Cortland County: Little York Lake, Merrill Creek, East Br. Tioughnioga River, West Br. Tioughnioga River, Casterline Pond and the Otselic River; Cortland County- Little York Lake, Merrill Creek, East Br. Tioughnioga River, West Br. Tioughnioga, Casterline Pond and the Otselic River; Madison County: Lebanon Reservoir, Eaton Brook Reservoir, Upper Lelands Pond, Stonemill Brook, Beaver Creek, Canastota Creek, Limestone Creek, Payne Brook, Chittenango Creek, 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 Ceek, 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); Oswego County: Light House Hill Reservoir, Black Creek, North Br. Salmon River, Rice Creek, East Br. Salmon River, Salmon River and West Branch of Fish Creek; Tompkins County: Enfield Creek, Virgil Creek, Buttermilk Creek, Salmon Creek, Fall Creek and Sixmile Creek and Cayuga Lake.

LAKE ONTARIO

The strong and variable winds have made getting out, and then staying on fish difficult. Brown trout continue to be scattered after the variable winds we've had the last few weeks. If you can find some off colored water try fishing stickbaits and small spoons in the area during the early morning. As the day gets brighter, moving to 40 feet or deeper water has been helping to extend the brown trout bite. Lake trout fishing has been more stable with fish being found in 100 to 200 feet of water. Some salmon have been hitting flasher and flies and spoons fished 80 feet down over 150 feet of water.

SALMON RIVER

Fishing has really slowing down on the river, which is usual for this time of year.There are smallmouth bass and rock bass being caught in the lower river.

OSWEGO RIVER

Some walleye are being taken in the river on large stickbaits, jigs and nightcrawlers. Trolling after dark in the harbor with large stickbaits is producing some walleye, with some nights being good and others being very slow. Anglers are starting to get more catfish and freshwater drum (sheepshead) in the river.

ONEIDA LAKE

Water levels are high, making shoreline fishing for bass (catch-and-release), and panfish productive. Walleyes are getting caught by anglers in boats fishing in 8 to 20 feet of water, using sonar lures along with jigs tipped with night crawlers. Bullhead bite appears to be over. (Just a reminder that you cannot fish for lake sturgeon,as they are on the threatened fishes list. If you accidentally hook one please do not fight it and release it quickly.)

CAYUGA LAKE

Trolling in 80 to 160 feet of water with spoons or flasher and flies, fished off downriggers, copper wire, or Dipsey divers is working for lake trout. Vertical jigging is also working for lake trout in 50 to 150 feet of water.

SENECA LAKE

Lake trout hitting spoons and flasher and flies fished 60 to 150 feet down. Vertical jigging has also been also working in 65 to 135 feet of water.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers getting out on the north end are catching yellow perch on minnows. Anglers trolling with spoons or flasher and flies are getting some lake trout and a few brown trout.

OTISCO LAKE

Tiger muskie fishing has been good for anglers fishing for them. Remember tiger musky must be 36 inches to be legal on Otisco Lake. Anglers taking advantage of the catch-and-release bass season are getting smallmouth and largemouth bass. A few walleye are also being taken by anglers trolling with stickbaits or spinner rigs.

.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Perch are being caught on the north end. A few lake trout and rainbow trout are being caught by anglers fishing for the perch or bass in 15 to 25 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are being taken by anglers taking advantage of the catch and release season and good lures have been tube jigs. Anglers are also taking their share of nice-sized, rock bass, particularly at the northern end.

SANDY POND:

A few walleye and northern pike are being caught. Anglers are also getting some black crappie, bluegills and yellow perch.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Fishing as slowed down lately. Water is still pretty cold. It's expected to pick up soon. (A reminder, the Canadian bass fishing season opens June 15, the same as our season. Previously, it used to be a week later).

SODUS BAY

Anglers fishing the deeper water are still getting some yellow perch. Bluegill fishing has picked up as the spawn has started. Northern pike fishing has been good with pike hitting a variety of lures with stickbaits and spoons being good bets. Bass fishing has also been good with bass jigs, plastics and topwaters all working.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

White crappie fishing continues to be good with most of fish being found away from shore now. There are still some being caught near shore, but it looks like the spawn is about over. Some real nice, 12- to 15-inch, crappies are being taken. The walleye bite is starting to improve and angles are getting them on worm harnesses. The channel catfish bite continues to be slow, but it should pick up.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog