Syracuse.com - April 2-6: Trout season opens, ice fishermen still getting out in many places

[HuntingNY-News]

If you choose to get out ice fishing, take all the necessary precautions.

CNY FISHING REPORT

Bait stores (list and map).

*Reminders: Opening day of trout fishing season was 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.

**A word of caution: There's still ice out on may waterways. 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, fishing with a buddy and bring a rope and ice picks.

LOCAL INLAND TROUT STREAMS: Steam flows still up a bit, and in many places still chocolate-colored. Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery staff stocked Nine Mile Creek again this week and there were reports Wednesday of people catching fish. Things should drop and clear up a bit by this weekend. If things don't improve, your best bet might be trying the smaller streams and tributaries.

SALMON RIVER

The river is up a little, but extremely fishable. Anglers are catching steelhead using blue, white and pink egg sacs and pink bubblegum worms. Fly anglers are using stonefly imitations, egg patterns and woolly buggers.

OSWEGO RIVER

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 continue to do well 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.

ONEIDA LAKE

There's still some ice fishermen getting out, but the ice is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. It's getting soft in areas, pressure areas are appearing and shorelinesare soft. If you go out, take precautions and don't fish alone. Meanwhile, panfish bite continues to be strong with lots of nice perch and sunnies being caught. Best baits are spikes and emerald shiners (buckeye shiners). Also, fish shallow. Best fising is in 8 to 10 feet of water.

CAYUGA, OWASCO and SKANEAELES LAKES

Anglers continue to get out of the ice, but with the rain and warm weather the shore ice will deteriorate quickly. Use extreme caution when venturing out. With the cold spring, the rainbow spawning has been weak so far in the tributaries. Remember, Finger Lakes tributary fishing begins at sunrise.

SANDY POND

There is still 20-plus inches of ice being reported on the pond, with it being a little slushy on the top. Anglers continue to target perch, using small minnows or jigs tipped with spikes. Anglers still need to sort through numbers of small ones to get keepers.

SENECA LAKE

Little has changed from last week with the continued cold temperatures and wind making getting a boat out difficult. With the cold spring, little rainbow spawning has taken place in the tributaries thus far. Remember Finger Lakes tributary fishing begins at sunrise.

OTISCO LAKE

A few anglers are still getting out on the ice, but with the rain and warm weather the shore ice will deteriorating quickly. Use extreme caution if venturing out.

SODUS BAY

Ice fishermen continue to get out and there's a lot of perch being caught.. Still about 14 to 15 inches of ice. Be careful, though, around shore.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Still lots of fishable ice, with some bays still having ice as much 24 to 30 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. Live bait (fathead minnows, shiners and spikes) continues to be the ticket.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Ice fishing is done on the reservoir. There's ice, but it's floating, soft and dangerous.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog