Syracuse.com - July 17-21: Water fleas are starting to make trolling difficult on Seneca, Cayuga and Owasco lakes

[HuntingNY-News]

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The Lake Ontario chinook fishing scene is picking up.

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<p><strong>CNY FISHING REPORT</strong></p>

<p><strong>INLAND TROUT STREAMS/LAKES:</strong> Local waterways that have been stocked are: <strong>Cayuga County:</strong> North Brook, Owasco Inlet, Salmon Creek and Fall Creek; Cortland County: Otselic River; <strong>Cortland County:</strong> Little York Lake, Merrill Creek, East Br. Tioughnioga River, West Br. Tioughnioga River, Casterline Pond and the Otselic River; <strong>Madison County</strong>: 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; <strong>Onondaga County:</strong> 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); <strong>Oswego County:</strong> Light House Hill Reservoir, Black Creek, North Br. Salmon River, Rice Creek, East Br. Salmon River, Salmon River and West Branch of Fish Creek; <strong>Tompkins County:</strong> Enfield Creek, Virgil Creek, Buttermilk Creek, Salmon Creek, Fall Creek and Sixmile Creek and Cayuga Lake.</p>

<p><strong>LAKE ONTARIO</strong><br />Fishing picked up a little last week for chinook salmon and they were being found 50 to 90 feet down over 300 to 400 foot of water. Spoons and flashers and cut-bait in shades of green have been working. A few steelhead are also being taken over the 300-400 depths on red spoons fished 10-20 feet down. Brown trout are being found in 40 to 50 feet, down 20 to 35 feet from the surface taking flutter spoons and stingers off downriggers. 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. Bass are hitting crayfish and minnows in 20 feet of water around Mexico. Fishing two feet or more off bottom will help avoid some of the bait-stealing gobies.<br /><strong><br />SALMON RIVER</strong><br />. Fishing has really slowed down on the river, which is usual for this time of year. But there are a few Atlantic salmon and Skamania strain steelhead being taken in the upper river. The lower river is yielding some smallmouth bass and rock bass.<br /><strong><br />OSWEGO RIVER</strong> <br />Anglers are targeting catfish and sheepshead (freshwater drum). Try using crayfish or night crawlers as bait.</p>

<p><strong>ONEIDA LAKE </strong><br />Walleye fishing continues to be very good. Walleye are still being taken in both shallow and deep water, from 10 to 30 feet, but the most consistent action has been in the 20 to 30 foot zone. Try the area just west of Shackelton Shoals. Good baits have been black & purple bucktail jigs tipped with nightcrawler, blade baits and perch colored stickbaits all working. Pickerel are being caught in good numbers on the lake. Bass fishing has been good, particularly in and around Big Bay.</p>

<p><strong>CAYUGA LAKE</strong> <br />Weeds and water fleas are beginning to make trolling more difficult on the lake. Trolling down 60 to 90 feet over 80-120 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 85-105 feet of water. Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 30 to 50 feet down over 60 to 120 feet of water. Lures in a variety of shades of green have been working well for the trout and salmon. Bass and panfish are being caught on the north end.</p>

<p>The lower Cayuga Inlet was scheduled to be chemically treated this week to control hydrilla, an invasive plant species. This meant parts of the inlet and the Allan H. Treman boat launch were to be closed to boating during the treatment.</p>

<p><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong><br />Water fleas and weed mats are beginning to make trolling more difficult. The early morning bite has been better for anglers trolling down 30-50 feet with wire and Dipsey and is producing some salmon and lake trout. Lake trout are also being taken 40-80 feet down over 80 to 110 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Vertical jigging with plastics is also still working in 50 to 135 feet of water.</p>

<p><strong>OWASCO LAKE</strong><br />Water fleas are beginning to make trolling more difficult on the lake. Anglers trolling down 45 to 60 feet with spoons or flasher and flies are getting some lake trout, along with an occasional rainbow trout. More bait is being marked in the mid-lake area then on the north end.</p>

<p><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong><br />Some walleye are still being taken by anglers trolling down 25 to 30 feet on crankbaits, stickbaits or worm harnesses . Look for bass near shore and along the weed edges. A variety of baits should work this time of year from spinnerbaits, jigs, plastics to topwaters. There has been a lot of litter left along the Causeway recently. Remember to "Carry in and Carry Out" and respect the environment.</p>

<p><strong>SKANEATELES LAKE</strong><br />The brown drake hatch is winding down, but fishing with flies just before dark should still be productive for rock bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rainbow trout. Smallmouth bass are also being taken on tube jigs, spinnerbaits and topwaters. If not catching fish though, move slightly deeper, and try drop-shot rigs or live bait such as minnows, night crawlers or crayfish.</p>

<p><strong>SANDY POND:</strong><br />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.</p>

<p><strong>ST. LAWRENCE RIVER</strong> <br />Bass continue to be 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.</p>

<p><strong>SODUS BAY</strong><br />Panfish are being taken on small jigs, minnows and worms. Bass fishing continues to be good for anglers using bass jigs, plastics and topwaters.</p>

<p><strong>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />The reservoir is still high. The walleye bite had been good for anglers fishing worm harnesses, jigs and crankbaits before the high water. White crappie and smallmouth bass fishing was also good before the reservoir rose. When conditions settle out, try fishing small minnows and jigs for the crappies and crankbaits for the bass.<br /></p>

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