Syracuse.com - Dec. 23-25: Some anglers still out for perch; many waiting for the ice fishing season to begin

[HuntingNY-News]

Despite high waters, some anglers continue to catch browns and steelhead on the Salmon and Oswego rivers.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

River has gone up lately, with water temperature dropping rapidly. The browns and steelhead are starting to transition into their winter holes (deeper water). Fishing is still pretty good. Good baits continue to be trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. The Upper Fly Fishing Area closed Nov. 30 and will reopen on April 1.

OSWEGO RIVER

Water has been very high, almost unfishable. Some anglers are catching mostly browns and rainbows behind th downtown hotels using bucktail jigs and minnows, with some casting Little Cleo lures.

ONEIDA LAKE

The nighttime shore walleye bite has slowed down for many, but some are still cashing in when the wind is in the right direction (blowing into shore). Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Yellow perch are being taken in 10 to 20 feet of water around weed beds. The docks have been removed from the South Shore launch.

CAYUGA LAKE

There continue to be reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers. Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock by anglers trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies. Perch are being taken in the north end in 10 to 15 feet of water on fathead and larger minnows.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 30 feet of water around Painted Rock and also off the pier. Small minnows and grubs have been working. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on the surface for anglers trolling, or casting, with streamers and stickbaits.

OWASCO LAKE

Not many out fishing. Those who are fishing are targeting perch, using fathead minnows. Anglers can still fish in the lake’s inlet until Dec. 31. Check the DEC fishing guide book for more information.

OTISCO LAKE

A few anglers have been out recently fishing for panfish, but there’s nothing else to report.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs has been working for rainbow trout. Rainbows are also being taken on streamers cast or trolled near the surface. Yellow perch are scattered but some nice sized fish are being taken when they are found.

SODUS BAY

Perch fishing continues to be good, though few anglers are taking advantage of it, according to one bait shop owner. Fishing around the islands, or at the mouth of Second Creek, with fathead minnows continues to work, he said.

SANDY POND

No fishing activity to report.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers have been out fishing for northern pike and perch recently. At least one bay was frozen with two inches of ice earlier in the week, but with the rain and warm weather it’s not certain it’ll stay that way for the weekend.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Fishing the spillway with fathead minnows under floats, jigs or stickbaits continues to work well for walleye. A few walleye and yellow perch are still being taken in the reservoir.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog