Syracuse.com - Aug. 28 - Sept. 1: Salmon starting to stage at mouths of Lake Ontario tributaries

[HuntingNY-News]

There's already been some runs of chinooks up the Salmon River. Some have also made their way into the Oswego River.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Bait stores (list and map).

LAKE ONTARIO

Salmon are being caught 90 to 135 feet down over 100 to 150 feet of water. Salmon are starting to stage around river mouths like the Oswego and Salmon rivers. Good baits continue to be spoons, flashers and cut-bait, and flashers and flies. White colored lures have been productive. Anglers are getting baits down with variety of methods such as wire and Dipsey divers (about 300 to340 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. After several impressive early runs recently things have slowed a little this week.

OSWEGO RIVER

Smallmouth bass are biting 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 to 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

Weed mats and fleas have become less of a nuisance over the last week. 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 again 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 to 15 feet of water.

SENECA LAKE

Weed mats and fleas have become less of a nuisance. Lake trout are being taken 80-120 feet down over 130-200 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Running Dipseys back 230-270 feet has been a good starting point, as is running copper out 300 feet. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being caught 50-70 feet down on spoons or flasher and flies.

OWASCO LAKE

Over all fishing has been slow, but a few lake trout are being taken by anglers trolling spoons or flasher and flies in 90 feet of water. Vertical jigging is also producing a few lake trout.

OTISCO LAKE

Fishing has been slow on Otisco. Trolling early or late in the day is producing a few walleye, tiger musky and an occasional brown trout. Fishing down 25 to 30 feet with crankbaits, stickbaits or worm harnesses for the walleye, stickbaits or spoons for brown trout, and stickbaits for tiger muskie.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Things are similar to last week with trout and salmon feeding on small yellow perch. Fishing small spoons or stickbaits down 40 to 60 feet over 60 to 120 foot of water has been working for lake trout and an occasional rainbow trout. Fishing has been better early in the morning for the trout and salmon. Smallmouth bass are still being taken on tube jigs, stick worms (Senko style baits), and drop-shot rigs in 15 to 45 feet of water. Live bait (crayfish and night crawlers) is also working for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass in 15 to 25 feet of water.

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 to 40 feet. Northern pike bite continues to be strong, with many being caught on the edge of weed lines, 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

Fishing the outside weed edges has been working for largemouth. Good baits have been crankbaits and plastic worms. A few northern pike are also being caught.

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.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog