Syracuse.com - CNY fishing report: Use of live crabs seems to be the ticket lately for smallmouth bass

[HuntingNY-News]

The DEC is looking for participants in its Angler Diary Cooperator Program - particularly those who fish Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes. For more, call 1-607-753-3095, extension 213.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Bait stores (list and map).

LAKE ONTARIO

Salmon are being caught 90 to 120 feet down over 120 to 150 feet of water. The cold water may have shifted because of the wind though, so keep searching if not catching fish. Salmon are also starting to stage around river mouths like the Oswego and Salmon. Good baits continue to be 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 (500 feet) and downriggers.

SALMON RIVER

There are a few salmon being reported in the lower river. This early salmon fishing is extremely "hit or miss", so try various spots.

OSWEGO RIVER

Smallmouth bass are biting on crankbaits, minnows, crayfish and spinnerbaits. Catfish and sheepshead (freshwater drum) are hitting on crayfish or night crawlers. There have been a few early salmon reported in the river.

ONEIDA LAKE

The algal bloom is slowly winding down. Some walleye are still being taken in 25-30 feet of water on black & purple bucktail jigs tipped with night crawler and blade baits. Some big yellow perch are also being taken mixed in with the walleye. Slowing down and fishing small minnows has been working once perch are found. Keep an eye out for birds diving, as bass chase small gizzard shad to the surface birds will often be seen feeding in the area. Casting topwaters or lipless crankbaits can work well for these schooling bass.

CAYUGA LAKE

Weeds and other debris 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. Little has changed from last week, trolling down 70 to 100 feet over 80 to 120 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 85 to 115 feet of water. Bass and panfish are still being caught on the north end in 10-15 feet of water.

SENECA LAKE

The strong winds made fishing difficult lately. ake trout are being taken 80 to 120 feet down over 130 to 200 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Running Dipseys back 230 to 270 feet has been a good starting point, as is running copper out 300 feet.

OTISCO LAKE

Fishing has been slow on Otisco. Trolling early or late in the day is producing a few walleye and an occasional brown trout. Fishing down 25 to 0 feet with crankbaits, stickbaits or worm harnessesfor the walleye and stickbaits or spoons for brown trout.

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 out to 35 feet of water. For those using live bait, the bass are really nailing the crayfish lately -- and worms, fished off the bottom, are always a good choice.

SANDY POND:

Fishing continues to be slow on the pond, but fishing early or late in the day is still producing some 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 live crayfish. 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.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Anglers are getting walleye, crappie, smallmouth bass, bluegills and catfish. For the walleye try drifting or anchoring with night crawlers, or trolling/casting crankbaits or worm harnesses. Smallmouth bass continue to hit on crankbaits but some are also being caught on night crawlers. Night crawlers have also been working well for bluegills, crappie and catfish.

** The DEC is looking for participants in its Angler Diary Cooperator Program - particularly those who fish Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes. For more, call 1-607-753-3095, extension 213.

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