Syracuse.com - March 19-23: Panfish bite is strong on Oneida Lake, particularly in shallow water

[HuntingNY-News]

Ice fishermen should be cautious this time of year. There still is a lot of ice on waterways, but conditions can change daily with rain and/or warm temperatures.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Bait stores (list and map).

*Reminders: The walleye, pickerel, northern pike, muskie and tiger muskie seasons ended March 15 and don't reopen until May 5. Also, from Nov. 1 to May 1, all person aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet regardless of age must wear a personal flotation device while underway.

**A word of caution: Ice conditions can change quickly this time of year with rain and warm temperatures. Use extra caution around areas of flowing water such as streams or river mouths, ditches or culverts. Tips include using a spud to check ice thickness as you venture out, fish with a buddy and bring a rope and ice picks.

SALMON RIVER

Anglers fishing the deeper pools from Pineville to Altmar are still getting into steelhead. If float fishing or bottom bouncing, try egg sacs with blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh or pink trout worms. Fly anglers have been using nymphs or single egg patterns.

OSWEGO RIVER

With the nicer weather recently, a few more anglers are making it out on the river. There's been reports of steelhead being caught.

ONEIDA LAKE

Walleye season is over. However, if you're an angler seeking pan fish (perch, sunfish and bluegills), now is the time to be on the lake. The bite is coming back strong. The ice is good and the hot spots include Chapman Park, Sylvan Beach, South Shore Boat Launch (Dutchman's Island) and Polar Beach. The bite is shallow (8 to 12 feet of water). They're moving in close this time of year and the fish are aggressive. Best baits are spikes and emerald shiners (buckeye shiners).

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers are fishing the north end with 8-10 inches of ice being reported, but as always use caution as ice thickness varies greatly in this area. Yellow perch are being taken on small minnows. Anglers fishing from shore around Taughannock are getting a few browns and Atlantics. Milleken Station has also been good for brown trout, with minnows working well.

SANDY POND

There is 20-plus inches of ice being reported on the pond. Perch fishing has picked up on the pond and anglers using small minnows or jigs tipped with spikes are catching them. Anglers still need to sort through numbers of small ones to get keepers though. Pike are being taken on large minnows fished under tip-ups. Some black crappie are starting to be caught on jigs tipped with minnows or spikes, or just on minnows.

SENECA LAKE

The cold and windy conditions continue to make getting a boat out difficult, but some anglers going out of Severne in boats are getting perch in 20 to 30 feet of water.

OWASCO LAKE

Ice reports range from 10 to 20 inches, use caution around areas of flowing water. Anglers fishing the north and south ends and are getting yellow perch on small minnows in 20 to 60 feet of water. Lake trout are being taken around Ensenore Point on minnows and tip-ups or try jigging with spoons or plastics. This is mainly deep water fishing, 150 or more feet so make sure you have a lot of line on your spools.

OTISCO LAKE

There is 12-18 inches of ice being reported on the north end. Bluegill and pumpkinseeds are still being taken on the north end, but many are small.

SKANEATELES LAKE

The entire lake is still frozen over which is extremely rare for Skaneateles Lake. Anglers are fishing both the north and south ends with 8-14 inches of ice being reported. Lake trout are being taken in 30-60 foot of water on both ends, along with some yellow perch.

SODUS BAY

Perch fishing remains slow but anglers moving around and trying different baits are getting some. Small jigs tipped with spikes have been working, as have small minnows.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Lots of fishable ice, with some bays still having ice up 36 inches thick. Popular spots continue to be 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 and the head of Round Island near Clayton. Live bait (fathead minnows, shiners and spikes) continues to be the ticket.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

There is still plenty of ice on the reservoir, 12-plus inches. No new fishing information to report with walleye season winding down

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog