Syracuse.com - Jan. 8-12: Oneida Lake ice fishing scene going strong

[HuntingNY-News]

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Some nice walleyes are being caught at the western end of Oneida; Big Bay continues to produce nice batches of bluegills and sunfish.

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<p><strong>CNY FISHING REPORT</strong></p>

<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100355764367821392533.00048c1449e56444f07e7&z=7">Bait stores (list and map).</a></p>

<p><strong>SALMON RIVER</strong><br />The river is still low, with lots of ice and slush. Steelhead are still being taken throughout the river, with most of the fishing pressure still taking place in the upper river (from Pineville to the Upper Fly Zone). Anglers who are bottom bouncing or float fishing with pink, blue or chartreuse egg sacs and bright-colored egg patterns are catching steelhead. Other good baits have been Oregon cheese glo-bugs, flesh flies and tangerine beads. (The Upper Fly Section closed for the season on Nov. 30. It will re-open on April 1.)</p>

<p><strong>OSWEGO RIVER</strong> <br />The river is down from last week. With the snow and extreme cold temperatures fishing has been difficult, so no new information. Before the sub-zero temperatures, anglers in drift boats were getting some steelhead and a few brown trout. Good baits were egg sacs (pink, white or chartreuse mesh) and trout beads.</p>

<p><strong>ONEIDA LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers are enjoying seven inches of ice on the west end. Fishing has been great, with nice-sized walleye and perch being caught. Hot spots around the lake include Chapman Park, Lewis Point, Cleveland and Taft Bay. Big Bay continues to produce lots of sunfish and bluegills. The Sylvan Beach area is good for walleye. The hot lures for the walleye and larger perch are jigging Rapalas, Kastmaster spoons, Swedish Pimple lures and Slender spoons tipped with buckeye minnows. The sunfish and bluegills are hitting smaller lures tipped with spikes or mousies.</p>

<p><strong>CAYUGA LAKE </strong><br />Reports of anglers getting out on the north end. Perch and sunfish are being caught. Reports of 6 to 8 inches on the west side. </p>

<p><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong><br />The cold weather has made getting out in a boat difficult so no new information.</p>

<p><strong>OWASCO LAKE</strong><br />Ice is good at the southern end. Anglers were out this past weekend and with this week's chill conditions should improve. Perch and a few northern pike are being caught.</p>

<p><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong><br />Anglers are getting out, with three to six inches of ice being reported.</p>

<p><strong>SKANEATELES LAKE</strong><br />No reports yet of safe ice.</p>

<p><strong>SODUS BAY</strong><br />There's seven to eight inches of ice on the bay. Reports of some nice perch and bluegills being caught, along with a few northern pike.</p>

<p><strong>ST. LAWRENCE RIVER</strong><br />Lots of ice -- a foot and half thick in most places. Popular spots include Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles, Chippewa Bay and all the nearby inland lakes. Reports of especially good perch fishing on Chippewa and Chaumont bays. Live bait (fathead minnows, shiners and spikes) continues to be the ticket.</p>

<p><strong>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />There's six to seven inches of ice. Reports of some nice walleye being taken on fathead minnows and dot lures.</p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog