Syracuse.com - Jan. 29 - Feb. 2: Ice fisherman happy as Otisco, Owasco and Oneida lakes freeze over

[HuntingNY-News]

The frigid temperatures have made fishing difficult on the Salmon River, with slush ice forming on the river and shelf ice along the shore.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

The river is down from last week. The frigid temperatures have made fishing difficult, with slush ice forming on the river and shelf ice along the shore. Anglers braving the cold are still getting a few steelhead in the deeper pools in the upper river between Pineville and Altmar.

OSWEGO RIVER

The frigid cold has also made fishing very difficult on the river. Nothing new to report.

ONEIDA LAKE

The entire lake is frozen over, reports of ice averaging 18 inches in most places. Anglers on snowmobiles or ATVs are catching nice perch north of Dunham's and Frenchman's islands. Big Bay continues to hot for bluegills, crappie and sunfish. Anglers are really cashing in on the walleyes, especially around Chapman Park.

CAYUGA LAKE

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

SENECA LAKE

Some brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken trolling stickbaits or streamers near the surface. No word on the perch bite.

OWASCO LAKE

Entire lake is frozen. Reports of pike and perch, and some lakers,being taken at both ends. The perch have been impressive, some measuring 15 to 16 inches long. Ice thickness is four to six inches.

OTISCO LAKE

Entire lake is frozen over. Reports of some nice perch taken in the lake's center. Northern end continues to be a hot spot for bluegills and the occasional tiger muskie.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Both ends have fishable ice. Reports are sketchy at this point. A few anglers are catching perch.

SODUS BAY

There's 10 inches or more of ice on the bay. Reports of some nice perch and bluegills being caught, along with a few northern pike.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Lots of fishable, averaging 12 to 18 inches thick or more in places. Popular spots include Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles, Round Island , Chippewa Bay and all the nearby inland lakes. Continued 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 11 to 12 inches of good ice on the reservoir. 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