Syracuse.com - Sept. 4-8: Salmon runs up Salmon River have slowed, but expected to pick up soon

[HuntingNY-News]

Meanwhile, live crayfish continue to be very productive for catching bass on many local lakes.

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. The coming cool weather and rain, though, should speed things up.

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

Anglers report that the perch bite has picked up lately, particularly around Dunham's or Frenchman islands. Many of the fish are being caught on fathead minnows. Walleye bite has tapered recently. No reports of late evening success by shore fishing at this point. The blue green algae blooms took its toll the past several weeks on the bass fishing, but the water has been clearing up lately and the bass fishing has improved.

CAYUGA LAKE

Fishing has been slow on the lake over the last few weeks and little has changed again this week, trolling down 70-100 feet over 100-250 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 85-115 feet of water. Bass and panfish are still being caught on the north end in 10-15 feet of water.

SENECA LAKE

Lake 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. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being caught 50 to 70 feet down on spoons or flasher and flies. Perch are being caught by anglers using fathead minnows in about 20 to 30 feet of water.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers report that lots of perch and smallmouth bass being caught, along with a few lake trout with mooneyes. They're using fathead minnows and worms for the perch. Bass are down deep, about 25 to 30 feet. Many are being caught on live crayfish.

OTISCO LAKE

Bass are being caught off the Causeway, many of live crayfish. Some anglers are catching some walleye fishing down 25 to 30 feet with crankbaits, stickbaits or worm harnesses. A few tiger muskies are also being caught on stickbaits.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Live bait (crayfish and night crawlers) are working well for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass in 12 to 18 feet of water. Crayfish are working the best.

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, 35 to 40 feet. Northern pike bite continues to be strong, with many being caught on the edge of weed lines in water anywhere from 18 to 30 feet deep. Try a Rapala Huskie Jerk or a purple Reef Runner lure. Many successful bass anglers are using live crayfish. Walleyes are still 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 catching a lot of bullheads, channel cats and smallmouth bass at the north end of the lake. Reservoir is up and off-colored at this point. More rain could put a negative spin on the fishing.

** 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

[HuntOrBeHunted]

Fishing on the salmon river was DEAD today sat around until almost 10am with not even a hook up. Lot of dead fish and the live ones are still in the mouth of the lake.

Edited September 5, 2013 by HuntOrBeHunted