Syracuse.com - Nov. 13-17: Oneida, Skaneateles and Otisco shoreline fishing going strong

[HuntingNY-News]

It's that time of year when charter boats and other anglers are catching nice-sized muskies. A 56-incher was landed recently off Whiskey Island.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

There should be fish throughout the river, but the majority of the anglers are fishing in the upper sections between the lower fly area and the wire hole. Bottom bouncing with pink and chartreuse egg sacs and bright colored egg patterns is catching steelhead. Other good baits have been Blue egg sacs, Oregon cheese glo-bugs and tangerine beads.

OSWEGO RIVER

Steelhead and brown trout are being caught in the river. Good baits are egg sacs, skein, egg imitating flies and plastics, and trout beads.

ONEIDA LAKE

The shore walleye bite is still happening with fish being caught by shore anglers casting stickbaits just before and after dark. Some good areas are Sylvan Beach, Lower South Bay, Lewis Point, Oneida Shores and Bridgeport. Stickbaits in blue and silver, or black and silver usually work well for these walleye. With the cooler weather this bite should continue to improve. Yellow perch are still being found in 10-20 feet of water with minnows, worms and small jigs working. The Lewis Point cooperative ice fishing access site is now available for use. Please respect the landowner's wishes and follow the arrows directing you to the lake. Failure to do so and the resulting property damage could cause the loss of this popular site.

CAYUGA LAKE

Largemouth bass, northern pike and chain pickerel are being caught on spoons in the north end. The recent and forecasted rain should bring the browns and landlocked salmon into the tributaries. Anglers targeting those species tend to be tight-lipped and we don't hear much from them.

SENECA LAKE

Lake trout are being taken 50 to 80 feet down over 115 to 130 foot of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Yellow perch are hitting on small minnows and plastics. The northern 1/3 of the lake has been productive for perch. A few brown trout should be heading up major tributaries as the flows increase due to recent rain.

OWASCO LAKE

Yellow perch are hitting minnows and worms on the north end of the lake. In addition, some nice lake trout continue to be caught by vertical jigging or trolling.

OTISCO LAKE

Walleye are being caught from shore by anglers casting stickbaits off the causeway just before and after dark. Tiger muskie and bass are hitting crankbaits fished along shore and outside weed edges.

SKANEATELES LAKE

The DEC removed the docks this week from its boat launch off Route 41A. How long the launch stays open after that will be weather dependent. If the weather stays "nice," it will remain open. Yellow perch are hitting minnows fished in 30-40 foot of water. Anglers have been doing well from shore for rainbow trout at Lord's Camp using marshmallow and worm rigs.

SODUS BAY

Yellow perch are being found in 25 to 30 feet of water and are hitting on minnows. Northern pike are hitting on spinnerbaits, spoons and minnows.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

It's that time of year when charter boats and other anglers are catching nice-sized muskies. A 56-incher was landed recently off Whiskey Island

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass are hitting on crankbaits fished in 5-10 foot of water. Some large yellow perch are being taken. Good colors for crankbaits have been crayfish or perchy.

*** From Nov. 1 to May 1, all persons aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet regardless of age must wear a Personal Flotation Device while underway.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog