Syracuse.com - Oct. 21-23: Salmon River action remains hot

[HuntingNY-News]

Anglers are also picking up walleye from shore during the late evening on Oneida Lake.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Bait stores (list and map).

LAKE ONTARIO

Still a good time to troll for rainbows and steelhead – salmon are still being picked up near the mouths of tributaries.

SALMON RIVER

Fishing continues to be tremendous. More salmon are coming up the river, followed by some runs of steelhead, along with a few browns. Now’s the time to be on this waterway.

OSWEGO RIVER

Water has gone up a little bit this week. Anglers continue to catch a little bit of everything — salmon, brown trout, steelhead. Best bets are egg sacks, egg sack imitations, wooly buggers, hot–n-tots and estaz flies. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island remains closed to vehicle traffic.

ONEIDA LAKE

The nighttime shore casting bite for walleyes is in full swing at this point. Casting from shore after dark with stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver usually works well. It may pay to use smaller baits as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous this year, but are smaller than they usually are this time of year and are running about 2½ to 3 inches. Smallmouth bass fishing has been harder as they are gorging on small gizzard shad as well. Perch bite has also been good, as anglers have been catching off shore, docks and in boats.

CAYUGA LAKE

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant). With the rainy windy weather last weekend few anglers were out so there is little new fishing information to report. Mixed bags were being taken fishing down 50 to 70 feet over 75 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and a few rainbows were being taken on spoons or flashers & flies fished off downriggers, Dipsey divers, lead core and copper. Jigging with plastics is also working in 85 to 110 feet of water. Yellow perch fishing has picked up around Union Springs with perch hitting small minnows.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch fishing continues to be good at the south end of the lake for anglers fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water. Good baits have been small minnows are small jigs tipped with night crawler. Lake trout are still being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished down 100 feet over 150 feet of water. Salmon are being taken 50 to 70 feet down. Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers, or casting large crankbaits are catching some northern pike around the lake.

OWASCO LAKE

Lake trout fishing on the north end continues to be hot or cold depending on the day. Anglers vertical jigging in 60 to 90 feet of water with plastics, or trolling 65 to 75 feet down over 115 to 125 feet of water with spoons are getting into lake trout. Bass fishing remains good around the lake, particularly for anglers using crayfish. Lots of yellow perch are also being caught on fathead minnows.

OTISCO LAKE

Largemouth bass continue to hit in and around the weed beds on the north end of the lake. A few tiger muskie are being taken on swimbaits and spinnerbaits by anglers casting near shore.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Trolling 55 to 60 feet down over 75 to 125 feet of water with small spoons is working for lake trout. Early in the day glow baits are working better, but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are still hitting along the shore for anglers fishing with tube baits, super flukes, drop-shot rigs, Senko worms and crayfish. Yellow perch fishing is starting to pick up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

SODUS BAY

There are still reports of salmon in the bay. Salmon are also being taken at the mouth of the bay by anglers casting, fishing egg sacs or trolling. Largemouth bass fishing has been good with fish hitting spinnerbaits, topwaters and Senko style baits. Perch fishing remains slow in the bay.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Things have slowed down, due to weather conditions. Muskie fishing has picked up lately. Perch and crappie fishing has also gotten better, particularly around French Creek. Bass and northern pike anglers have been staying off the water recently, due to high winds.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Fishing slowly with dark -colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog