Syracuse.com - Jan. 15-19: Oneida ice fishing scene 'tepid' with recent warm weather

HuntingNY-News · January 15, 2014

"We need a few cold nights in a row to firm things up," said one bait shop owner.

CNY FISHING REPORT

SALMON RIVER

The river is high. 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.)

OSWEGO RIVER

Water is down a little and fishable. Reports of brown trout and steelhead being caught being the hotels in downtown area.

ONEIDA LAKE

Ice fishing on the lake is "tepid" right now, "until we get some good freezing temperatures overnight," said one bait store owner. In many places there's 6 to 8 inches of ice, with a "very slick top," he said. Anglers are getting out around Chapman Park on the south shore, and along the north shore at Godfrey Point. Things should improve by this weekend.

CAYUGA LAKE

Reports of some anglers still getting out on the north end. Ice thickness, though, is "iffy." Perch and sunfish are being caught.

OWASCO LAKE

No reports of safe ice.

OTISCO LAKE

The ice around the shoreline is "getting bad" with the warm weather. No one's getting out. Need a couple of cold days to firm things up, according to one bait shop owner.

SKANEATELES LAKE

No reports of safe ice.

SODUS BAY

There's five to seven inches of ice on the bay. Reports of some nice perch and bluegills being caught, along with a few northern pike.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Still lots of fishable ice. 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.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

There's eight inches of ice. Reports of some nice walleye being taken north of the islands on fathead minnows and dot lures, and tip-ups with medium-sized shiners.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog