Syracuse.com - July 11-14: Oneida Lake walleye fishing good; Whitney Point reservoir water level high

[HuntingNY-News]

Hot spots for walleye on Oneida Lake have been Lewis Point, Billington Bay and around Shackelton Shoals.

CNY FISHING REPORT

INLAND TROUT STREAMS/LAKES: Many sections of area streams and lakes have been stocked. 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

Fishing continues to be slow for brown trout and very slow for chinook salmon. Some stable weather would really help to improve the fishing. Brown trout are in shallow water 40-50 feet, down 20-35 feet from the surface taking flutter spoons and stingers off downriggers using lead-core lines. 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 deeper water has been helping to extend the brown trout bite. Lake trout are on the bottom in 120 to 130 feet of water and are taking fire plugs and peanuts with cowbells as well as spoons. Some chinook are being taken in 150 feet of water on flashers with cut bait and dodgers and flies.

SALMON RIVER

There are a few Atlantic salmon and Skamania strain steelhead still being taken in the upper river. There are also some smallmouth bass and rock bass being caught in the lower river.

OSWEGO RIVER

The river is quite high with the recent heavy rain. This makes for tough fishing. However, there still should be catfish and sheepshead (freshwater drum) in the river Try using crayfish or night crawlers as bait.

ONEIDA LAKE

Walleye bite really turned on this week. Successful anglers are catching using Dixie spinners with night crawlers and fishing along weed lines in about 10 feet of water. Hot spots have been Lewis Point, Billington Bay and around Shackelton Shoals.

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers are catching lake trout trolling down 70 to 90 feet in 100 to 150 feet of water with spoons or flasher and flies, fished off downriggers, copper wire, or Dipsey divers. Vertical jigging is also working in 70 to 90 feet of water. Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 25 to 40 feet down. There is a lot of bait being marked in 100 feet of water. Bass and panfish are being caught on the north end.

(New development: Fishing will no longer be permitted in the area adjacent to the gates at Mud Lock on the north end of Cayuga Lake. Abuse of the site by anglers, including leaving trash and having shore fires has prompted the Canal Corporation to close the area to fishing. There are also safety concerns at that location. There is no problem using the DEC fishing access site just upstream of the lock, however.)

SENECA LAKE

Fishing continues to be good for lake trout with anglers getting them 40 to 70 feet down over 90 feet of water. They're hitting spoons and flasher and flies. Vertical jigging with plastics is also still working in 50 to 135 feet of water.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers trolling down 30 to 50 feet with spoons or flasher and flies continue to get lake trout on the north end. Yellow perch and bluegill are also being caught on the north end.

OTISCO LAKE

Walleye fishing has slowed down but a few walleye are still being taken by anglers trolling with stickbaits or spinner rigs during the day. Look for bass near shore and along the weed edges. A variety of lures and artificial baits should work this time of year, including spinnerbaits, jigs, plastics and top water lures.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Fishing near shore with tube jigs, spinnerbaits, or topwaters would be a good starting point for the smallmouth bass. If not catching fish, move slightly deeper, and try drop-shot rigs or live bait such as minnows or crayfish.

SANDY POND:

A few walleye and northern pike are still being caught on the pond. Anglers are also getting bluegills and a few yellow perch. Largemouth bass are also being caught regularly, try using plastic worms, Texas rig worms and spinner baits. The higher water level has helped the fishing and boating conditions.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Bass are being caught in deeper water, around 25 feet. Best bait has been crayfish. Northern pike bite continues to be strong. Many successful anglers are using minnows, fishing in the weeds in 15 to 25 feet of water.

SODUS BAY

Panfish are being taken on small jigs, minnows and worms. Bass fishing continues to be good for anglers using bass jigs, plastics and topwaters.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

The lake level is up about 4 feet with the recent heavy rains. Be sure to check that the launches are usable before driving here. Meanwhile, the walleye bite has been good for anglers fishing worm harnesses, jigs and crankbaits. White crappie fishing continues to be good with most of fish being found away from shore. Smallmouth bass are hitting on crankbaits near shore

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