Syracuse.com - Feb. 3-5: Fishable ice on eastern end of Oneida Lake; some getting out on Big Bay

[HuntingNY-News]

Meanwhile, water was a little high at midweek on the Salmon River, but it didn't seem to matter. Lots of fish being caught, mostly steelhead.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

All persons aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device from Nov. 1 to May 1.

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

Water was a little high at midweek, but it didn’t seem to matter. Lots of fish being caught, mostly steelhead. The browns and steelhead have transitioned into their winter holes (deeper water). 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 April 1.

OSWEGO RIVER

Reports of brown trout being caught on white, bucktail jigs; along with some rainbows on little minnows and trout beads.

ONEIDA LAKE

Ice is fishable on places like North Bay and Sylvan Beach (the east end of the lake) with 6 to 8 inches of ice. In general, on the north shore, go east of Godfrey. On the south shore, try east of Lewis Point. Reports of some anglers out on Big Bay.

CAYUGA LAKE

No safe ice to report at midweek. However, anglers fishing from shore at the power station in Lansing continue to have luck catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners and some perch, using fathead minnows.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in the Watkins Glen area, in 25 to 30 feet of water, with spikes and fathead minnows. Fishing from the pier continues to be good for yellow perch and some very large bluegills. Trolling from the surface down to about 45 feet, over 70 feet of water has been producing a mixed bag of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and lake trout. Streamer flies and small spoons have been working well.

OWASCO LAKE

No safe ice to report at midweek. Some are getting out boats, fishing for perch.

OTISCO LAKE

At midweek, no safe ice to report and no open water activity to report.

SKANEATELES LAKE

No ice fishing activity to report at midweek. Some are getting out boats, fishing for perch. Shore fishing with marshmallow-and-worm rigs is usually the ticket this time of year for rainbow trout.

SODUS BAY

No fishable ice at midweek. Some anglers were getting in boats at north end, fishing for perch.

SANDY POND

No activity to report.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers have been ice fishing here for northern pike and perch. Hot spots continue to be Eel Bay, Chippewa Bay, Lake of the Isles and Goose Bay, all with five or more inches.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Last week, there were reports of 5 to 7 inches of ice being reported on parts of the reservoir. However, with the rain and warm temperatures this week, that may change.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog