Syracuse.com - March 26- 30: Inland trout streams should be in good shape for opener; ice fishing continues

[HuntingNY-News]

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A word of caution:Ice conditions can change quickly this time of year with rain and warm temperatures.

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<p><br /><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>*Reminders:</strong> Opening day of trout fishing season is Tuesday. 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.</p>

<p><strong>**A word of caution:</strong> Ice conditions can change quickly this time of year with rain and warm temperatures. Use extra caution around the edges of lakes, in addition to 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, fishing with a buddy and making sure you bring along a rope and ice picks.</p>

<p><strong>LOCAL INLAND TROUT STREAMS</strong>: Steam flows are currently up a bit, but clarity is fine. Unless there's some big weather event, the warm weather predicted to start Monday shouldn't negatively impact local streams. Look for good conditions on opening day Tuesday.</p>

<p><strong>SALMON RIVER</strong><br />Most of the pressure continues to be taking place in the deeper pools in the upper river, from Pineville to Altmar. Anglers fishing the lower river have been getting some "fresh" steelhead. A fresh fish refers to a fish that has recently entered the river, they tend to be silver; as compared to fish that has been in the river for a while, which tend to be dark colored. Slush ice continues to be a problem with the cold temperatures. If float fishing or bottom bouncing, try egg sacs with blue mesh or pink trout worms. Fly anglers have been using nymphs or single egg patterns.</p>

<p><strong>OSWEGO RIVER </strong><br />The river is up. This flow makes shore fishing difficult with the exception of along the walkway, Kiddie and Birdie pools and behind the hotels. Drift boat anglers did better over the weekend with some nice steelhead being caught. Remember, the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river.</p>

<p><strong>ONEIDA LAKE </strong><br />With the walleye season over, the game continues to be the panfishing. The bite remains strong. The ice is still good and the hot spots include Chapman Park, Sylvan Beach, South Shore Boat Launch (Dutchman's Island) and Polar Beach. Fish shallow, around 8 to 12 feet. They're moving in close this time of year and the fish are aggressive. Best baits are spikes and emerald shiners (buckeye shiners).</p>

<p><strong>CAYUGA LAKE </strong><br />Anglers are still 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.</p>

<p><strong>SANDY POND</strong><br />No change from last week. 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.</p>

<p><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong><br />Little has changed from last week with the continued cold temperatures and wind. There are still some anglers going out of Severne in boats and getting perch in 20 to 30 foot of water.</p>

<p><strong>OWASCO LAKE</strong><br />Ice reports range from 10 to 20 inches, use caution around areas of flowing water and around the lake's edges. Once you get on the ice it's thick. Anglers fishing the north and south ends and are getting yellow perch on small minnows and spikes in 20 to 60 feet of water. Lake trout are being taken around Ensenore Point on minnows and on tip-ups, or with 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.</p>

<p><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong><br />There is still 12-18 inches of ice being reported on the north end. Be careful around the edges of the lake. Bluegill and pumpkinseeds are still being taken on the north end, but many are small.</p>

<p><strong>SKANEATELES LAKE</strong><br />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 with fathead minnows and shiners, along with some yellow perch.</p>

<p><strong>SODUS BAY</strong><br />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.</p>

<p><strong>ST. LAWRENCE RIVER</strong><br />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.</p>

<p><strong>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />The Otselic River at the north end of the lake is causing some open water on the north end of the reservoir. A few anglers are getting out for panfish, but conditions are questionable.</p>

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