Syracuse.com - CNY fishing report: Water fleas making trolling difficult on Owasco, Cayuga and Seneca lakes

[HuntingNY-News]

The water on the Whitney Point Reservoir remains high. Be sure and check that the launches are useable before driving there.

CNY FISHING REPORT

LAKE ONTARIO

trong winds over the weekend made fishing the lake difficult. When anglers can get out, the chinook salmon bite continues to improve though. Fish are being found 100-120 feet down over 200-300 feet of water. Good baits have been spoons, flashers and cut-bait, flashers and whole alewives, and flashers and flies. Green and white are continuing to be a productive colors. Anglers are getting baits down with variety of methods such as wire and Dipsey divers (about 250 to 300 feet back), copper (600 feet) and downriggers. Water fleas are becoming a nuisance so check lines often, try flea flicker line or a heavier pound test monofilament. Brown trout are being found in 40 to 50 feet, down 20 to 35 feet from the surface taking the same baits as the salmon. 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.

SALMON RIVER

Fishing is slow 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.

OSWEGO RIVER

Walleye are hitting on stickbaits or night crawlers and smallmouth bass are biting crankbaits, minnows, crayfish and spinnerbaits. Catfish and sheephead (freshwater drum) are hitting on crayfish or night crawlers.

ONEIDA LAKE

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.

CAYUGA LAKE

Weeds and water fleas continue to make trolling more difficult on the lake. Trolling down 60-90 feet over 80 to 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 to 105 feet of water. Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 30-50 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.

SENECA LAKE

Water fleas and weed mats continue to make trolling difficult. The early morning bite has been better for anglers trolling down 30 to 50 feet with wire and Dipsey and is producing some salmon and lake trout. Lake trout are also being taken 40 to 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.

OWASCO LAKE

Water fleas continue to make trolling 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.

OTISCO LAKE

Some walleye continue to be 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 including spinnerbaits, jigs, plastics and topwater lures.

SKANEATELES LAKE

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.

SANDY POND:

A few walleye are still being caught on the pond, as are some bluegills and a few yellow perch. Largemouth bass are being caught more regularly. Try using plastic worms and spinnerbaits.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Bass continue to be caught in deeper water, around 25 to 30 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 remains high. Be sure to check that the launches are usable before driving there. 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.

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