Syracuse.com - Aug. 14- 18: Strong winds affecting Lake Ontario fishing; algae bloom has impact on Oneida Lake

[HuntingNY-News]

Water fleas and weed mats on or near the surface continue to make trolling difficult on Seneca, Cayuga and Owasco lakes..

CNY FISHING REPORT

LAKE ONTARIO

The strong winds over the weekend made getting out on the big lake very difficult, so no new fishing information to report this week. The U.S. Coast Guard issued a small craft advisory today that's scheduled to last until Thursday evening. When things settle down,l look for salmon 60-80 feet down over 150 to 200 feet of water. Good baits were spoons, flashers and cut-bait, flashers and whole alewives, and flashers and flies. Green and white had been 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.

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

The river is way down. Smallmouth bass are biting crankbaits, minnows, crayfish and spinnerbaits. Catfish and sheephead (freshwater drum) are hitting on crayfish or night crawlers.

ONEIDA LAKE

There is an algae bloom taking place on the lake. Though most algae are harmless and an important part of the food web, there is blue-green algae being found on the North shore. The algae bloom has made fishing more difficult, but walleye continue to be caught when the wind isn't blowing too hard and anglers can get out. Walleye are being taken in the 20- to 30-foot zone. Try around Shackelton and Messenger Shoals and Buoy 113. Good baits have been black & purple bucktail jigs tipped with nightcrawler and blade baits.

CAYUGA LAKE

Weeds are still a nuisance, but water fleas are becoming less of a problem. If still having problems with fleas, try using flea flicker line or going to a heavier pound test line (25-30#) helps some with the fleas, as does using a trolling method where your line is running more horizontal than vertical. For example: using wire and Dipsey diver instead of a downrigger. Vertical jigging is also an option instead of trolling if fleas become to aggravating. Trolling down 70 to 100 feet over 80 to 20 feet of water with spoons or flasher and flies, fished off downriggers, copper wire, or Dipsey divers is still working for lake trout. Vertical jigging is also working for lake trout in 90 to 105 feet of water. Atlantic salmon and some brown trout are being taken on spoons fished 35 to 55 feet down over 60 to 120 feet of water. Bass and panfish are being caught on the north end in 10-15 feet of water.

SENECA LAKE

Water fleas and weed mats have been less of a problem over the last week. If fleas are still making trolling difficult though, see Cayuga Lake above for suggestions on dealing with the fleas. Trolling down 50 to 65 feet with downriggers, or with wire and Dipsey divers is producing a mixed bag of brown and rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and even some lake trout. Lake trout are also being taken 90 to 120 feet down over 120-250 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Running Dipseys back 250 to 285 feet has been a good starting point, as is running copper out 300 feet. Vertical jigging in 95 to 115 feet of water with plastics is also working for the lake trout.

OWASCO LAKE

Fleas and weed mats are still making trolling more difficult on the lake (see Cayuga Lake above for suggestions on dealing with the fleas). Anglers trolling down 50-60 feet over 120 to 150 feet of water, with spoons or flasher and flies are getting some lake trout, along with an occasional rainbow trout.

OTISCO LAKE

Some walleye are still being taken by anglers trolling down 25 to 30 feet on crankbaits, stickbaits or worm harnesses. A few brown trout are also being taken by anglers trolling stickbaits or spoons at the same depths. Look for bass near shore and along the weed edges. A variety of baits should work this time of year from spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastics to topwaters.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Fishing small spoons or stickbaits down 35 to 50 feet has been working for lake trout. Smallmouth bass are being taken on tube jigs, stick worms (Senko style baits) and drop-shot rigs in 5 to 25 feet of water.

SANDY POND:

Fishing has slowed down on the pond, but fishing early or late in the day is still producing some walleye, panfish and largemouth bass.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Bass continue to be caught in deeper water, getting as deep as 35-40 feet. Northern pike bite continues to be strong, with many being caught on the edge of weedlines, anywhere from 8 to 20 feet. Try a Rapala Huskie Jerk lure. Many successful bass anglers are using minnows or a rubber worm. Walleyes are being caught in the early morning or evening. A popular lure has been the Jigfish.

SODUS BAY

Panfish are being taken on small jigs, minnows and worms. Bass fishing has been good on Senko style baits and weed less frogs. A few northern pike are being taken on large minnows.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Walleye and smallmouth bass are hitting crankbaits either cast or trolled. Good colors have been perch pattern. Also, look for walleye along the old river channel with jigs tipped with night crawler or worm harnesses

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog